SEBA is a non-profit corporation of businesses devoted to enhancing the economic vitality of the southeast Minneapolis area by promoting and supporting area businesses.
Further, SEBA strives to create opportunities for more local business owners to play an active role in the community, create a forum where business owners can address local community and business issues, and develop an avenue where local businesses can obtain information on public and non-profit programs and services that can assist in local business development.
Focus Areas
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Redevelopment Activity
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Transportation Issues
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Zoning Issues and Policies
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Business/Economic Development
Long Range Goals
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Influence development of public policy conducive to desirable business start-up and growth.
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Enhance SEBA's presence and reputation as the source of information for businesses in the southeast area.
Goal Strategies
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Increase the visibility of the organization and its members.
Improve the business climate in the community. -
Establish a network among businesses, other business associations, city and state offices and agencies.
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Actively work with the Southeast Economic Development (SEED) Committee, and its member neighborhood and stakeholder representatives.
SEBA was formed in 1993 as an outgrowth of a rezoning study commissioned by the city of Minneapolis. At the time, there was a proposal to significantly downzone large sections of industrial and commercial zoned property in the Southeast area. To have a stronger voice in the process, the businesses involved decided to formalize and incorporate a business association.
Since that time SEBA has been involved in a number of landuse, zoning and redevelopment activities.
Current Activities
Southeast Economic Development (SEED) Committee
The SEED Committee, formed and chaired by SEBA since 1995, is composed of representatives from SEBA, four surrounding neighborhood groups, the City of Minneapolis, and the University of Minnesota.
The SEED Committee's purpose is to facilitate and oversee redevelopment of the Southeast Industrial Area (SEMI). As part of that process, the Bridal Veil Master Plan was completed in 1996 to guide redevelopment within SEMI. A Refined Master Plan, and an Alternative Urban Area wide Review (AUAR) that looked at environmental impacts and mitigation, were completed in 2001.
Business Meetings
Held approximately quarterly, Business Meetings are an important function for SEBA. Business Meetings offer opportunities to learn the very latest on new developments and activities, express opinions and concerns, and meet and network with other area business representatives.
In addition to updates, presenters are often invited to speak at Business Meetings. Past speakers have included policymakers, public leaders, and project experts.
Stay Connected!
An email subscription service that aims to keep members abreast of new developments and activities in the southeast area. These e-newsletters include meeting announcements, project updates, and other items of interest.
Past Activities
University Avenue Revitalization Task Force 1998 - 1999
The University Avenue Revitalization Task Force was created in early 1998 and charged with creating a Development Plan to guide and encourage redevelopment along University Avenue corridor. Composed of business and property owners along the avenue, the Task Force completed a development strategy session in May of 1999 year, and drafted a development plan for the area.
City Rezoning Process 1997 - 1998
As zoning as a key issue for local businesses, SEBA played an active part in the citywide rezoning process that occurred in 1998. The city of Minneapolis drafted an entirely new zoning code to guide land use, and is created new zoning maps for every parcel in the city. Zoning issues effect both current and future businesses and land values.