It usually takes money to make money, and whether you’re a start-up or industry giant, Georgia has a host of financial and credit resources to help you move your business forward.
The impact private-sector businesses have on Georgia’s economy is significant. To help businesses reach their goals, a number of outreach organizations provide forward-thinking incentives and customized financial resource programs.
Below is a sample of some of the services that help transform commercial possibilities into realities.
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Advanced Technology Development Center at Georgia Tech (ATDC) |
Having graduating more than 120 companies, ATDC has provided business incubation and acceleration services to hundreds of Georgia startups—most of which are not based on Georgia Tech research, but which benefit from the close proximity to the university. |
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Appalachian Regional Commission Business Development Revolving Loan Fund |
A $3 million pool that can be used in the Appalachian region for loans to projects that create or save jobs. Appalachian Regional Commission Economic Development Grant Program |
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Appalachian Regional Commission Economic Development Grant Program
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Provides matching grant funds to eligible applicants to support economic development projects; encourages grassroots participation. Applicants are encouraged to work through the six Regional Development Centers in north Georgia to develop projects. |
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Bond Allocation Program |
A scarce resource that allows for lower-than-normal financing costs, resulting in the creation or retention of jobs and expansion of affordable housing. |
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CDBG Loan Guarantee Program (Section 108 Program) |
An economic and community-development financing tool to assist non-entitlement local governments with certain unique and large-scale economic development projects that cannot proceed without the loan guarantee. |
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Community Development Block Grant Program
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Helps fund a wide range of eligible activities, including housing-improvement projects; public facilities, such as water and sewer lines; buildings, such as local health centers or Head Start centers; and economic development projects. Recipients must substantially benefit low- and moderate-income persons. |
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Employment Incentive Program (EIP) |
May be used in conjunction with traditional private financing to fund economic-development projects that employ low- and moderate-income persons. |
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Georgia Regional Development Centers
(Association) |
Working closely with local economic-development officials and financial institutions, these assist communities and businesses with a variety of financing options. |
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Georgia Research Alliance (GRA) |
Helps universities attract outstanding talent, foster true collaboration, invest in necessary infrastructure and technology, connect people – even provide limited funding to advance research toward commercialization. |
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Industrial Revenue Bonds |
Provide below-market financing for construction of manufacturing facilities. |
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OneGeorgia Authority |
Funded by tobacco-settlement proceeds to support development primarily in Georgia’s most economically challenged areas. |
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Regional Assistance Program (RAP) |
Supports multi-county and regional collaboration in economic development. Eligible activities include, but are not limited to, regional industrial parks, business parks, conference centers and convention centers. |
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Small Business Development Center Network (SBDC) |
Enhance the economic well-being of Georgians by providing a wide range of educational services for small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs. |
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Strategic Industries Loan Fund (One Georgia Authority) |
The purpose of the “Loan Fund” is to provide loan assistance for the purchase of fixed assets to eligible applicants that are being considered as a relocation or expansion site for an emerging or development-stage company in a strategic industry targeted by Georgia. The Loan Fund is intended to be used only when needed to fill a financing gap that is unmet by the private sector. |
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United States Small Business Administration (SBA) |
The SBA helps Americans start, build and grow businesses. Through an extensive network of field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations, SBA delivers its services to people throughout the United States,, Puerto Arico, the U.S. Virginia Islands and Guam. |
The bottom line: your ideas belong in Georgia, where they can gain a wealth of support. No matter the size or industry, Georgia will continue to be proactive in creating financial-assistance programs for the growth and competitive success of the state’s private sector.
For an expanded list of funding resources, please click here.