
Strafford Economic Development Corporation
Strafford Economic Development Corporation is an active SBA lender in New Hampshire, a development company offering SBA-guaranteed small-business loans.
$3M
in SBA approvals since 2015
23
SBA loans funded
Restaurants & Food Service · General Retail · Manufacturing
Top industries financed
Source: U.S. SBA 7(a) & 504 FOIA loan-approval records (FY2010–present).
About Strafford Economic Development Corporation
Strafford Economic Development Corporation is an SBA 7(a) and/or 504 lender with 23 approved SBA loans totaling $3M since fiscal year 2015, per U.S. SBA FOIA records. Top industries financed: Restaurants & Food Service, General Retail, Manufacturing. Contact the bank directly for current programs and terms.
Common questions about Strafford Economic Development Corporation
What is this place and what can I find here?
This is a community-focused financial institution offering SBA loan services to small businesses. You can find assistance with loan applications, business financing options, and guidance on SBA programs tailored to your needs.
Do I need an appointment or can I walk in?
Ask Strafford Economic Development Corporation directly — some branches take walk-ins, others book SBA conversations by appointment.
What are the hours of operation?
Hours vary by branch and change. Check Strafford Economic Development Corporation's website or call before you visit.
Is there a fee to use this?
Browsing this directory is free. Any loan fees are set by Strafford Economic Development Corporation and the SBA program — ask the lender for its current schedule.
Who is this open to — anyone, or only residents/members?
This lender primarily serves small businesses in the Dover area and surrounding regions, focusing on supporting local entrepreneurs and residents.
Can a non-bank entity provide financing if my personal credit score is below 640?
Yes — non-bank lenders like Strafford Economic Development Corporation often work with borrowers whose personal credit falls below the 640 mark that many banks treat as a floor. They tend to weigh business cash flow, time in operation, and overall fit alongside your credit score. Approval and terms still depend on your full profile, so ask Strafford Economic Development Corporation what minimum it looks for.
Is the loan application and validation pipeline fully digital with this provider?
Many non-bank lenders run a largely online process — application, document upload, and verification handled digitally, often with faster decisions than a traditional branch. Whether Strafford Economic Development Corporation's pipeline is fully digital from start to finish depends on the provider. Check Strafford Economic Development Corporation's website or ask their team how much of the process you can complete online.
Is this open on weekends?
Most bank SBA teams work weekdays; confirm with Strafford Economic Development Corporation before planning a weekend visit.
How do I get there and where do I park?
Strafford Economic Development Corporation is located at 100 Main Street, Suite 101, Dover, New Hampshire 03820 in the Cocheco Falls Millworks building. Use the Central Avenue entrance adjacent to OTTO Pizza, or use OTTO Pizza as your GPS destination. Please confirm parking and office access when you contact them.
Who owns or operates this listing?
This page is an independent directory listing for Strafford Economic Development Corporation, an SBA-participating non-bank lender (a development company or community fund). It is maintained by SBA Lenders USA to help borrowers compare lenders — not by Strafford Economic Development Corporation itself, which runs its own lending under its own ownership. If you work at Strafford Economic Development Corporation, you can claim this listing from this page to manage it.
How current is the information on this page?
The core details for Strafford Economic Development Corporation — name, location, contact, and lender type — are compiled from public records and reviewed periodically. Rates, programs, credit policies, and hours change often and are not guaranteed here, so always confirm the latest terms directly with Strafford Economic Development Corporation before applying. If you represent Strafford Economic Development Corporation, claim this listing to keep its information up to date.
How do I contact this listing directly?
You can reach Strafford Economic Development Corporation by phone at (603) 749-2211 or online at www.sedcnh.org — the same details are in the contact card on this page.
How do non-bank lender approval requirements differ from standard commercial institutions?
Non-bank lenders like Strafford Economic Development Corporation usually place more weight on business revenue, cash flow, and time in business, and less on a high personal credit score or hard collateral than a traditional bank. That can mean faster approvals and more flexibility, sometimes at a higher cost. Ask Strafford Economic Development Corporation what it requires and how its criteria compare for your situation.
Am I required to move my primary business checking account to this non-bank lender?
Generally no — non-bank lenders typically do not hold deposit accounts, so Strafford Economic Development Corporation usually cannot and will not require you to move your business checking to them, and you keep your existing bank for day-to-day banking. A deposit-relationship requirement is far more common at traditional banks, but confirm the specifics with Strafford Economic Development Corporation.
Do non-bank options favor asset-light tech fields or online retail brands?
Many non-bank and online lenders are comfortable with asset-light businesses — software, services, e-commerce, and online retail — because they underwrite on cash flow and revenue rather than physical collateral. That said, Strafford Economic Development Corporation sets its own focus and may serve a broad mix of industries. Ask Strafford Economic Development Corporation whether your field and business model fit what it typically funds.
What interest rate structures should I expect from a non-bank financing provider?
Non-bank financing can come as fixed or variable term loans, lines of credit, or revenue-based structures, and rates are often higher than a traditional SBA bank loan to reflect faster funding and looser criteria. The cost may be quoted as an APR or a factor rate. Ask Strafford Economic Development Corporation for the full APR and total repayment amount so you can compare offers fairly.
Can I refinance high-cost merchant cash advances into a term loan with this lender?
Refinancing or consolidating expensive merchant cash advances into a lower-cost term loan is a common goal, and some non-bank lenders and SBA programs allow it when the numbers support it. Eligibility depends on your cash flow and the existing debt. Ask Strafford Economic Development Corporation whether it refinances merchant cash advances and what it would take to qualify.
Do they allow seller notes to count toward the required borrower equity injection?
In many SBA-backed deals a seller note can count toward part of the borrower's required equity injection, often when it is placed on full standby for a set period. Whether Strafford Economic Development Corporation permits this, and on what terms, depends on the lender and the SBA rules in play. Confirm with Strafford Economic Development Corporation how it treats seller notes in your specific deal.
Do they offer international trade or export loan programs?
Some lenders take part in SBA export and trade programs such as the Export Working Capital Program or the International Trade Loan, which support businesses that sell abroad. Availability varies and not every non-bank lender offers them. If you export or plan to, ask Strafford Economic Development Corporation whether it offers export or international trade financing.
What happens if the primary business asset valuation comes back lower than the contracted purchase price?
If an appraisal or valuation comes in below the agreed purchase price, the gap usually has to be covered — by renegotiating the price, the buyer adding more cash, or the seller carrying a larger note — because lenders generally lend against the lower of cost or appraised value. Ask Strafford Economic Development Corporation how it handles a valuation shortfall before you commit.


