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.
Tap into many of the nation’s top commercial and international financial institutions. Take advantage of our extensive network of development authorities and government-backed grants and loans.
As for private resources, venture capitalists invested some $426 million in Georgia’s start-up companies in 2008. One example: the new $40 million Georgia Research Alliance Venture Capital Fund, which supports business ideas born in Georgia’s research universities.
Many organizations are specifically targeted. The Advanced Technology Development Center at Georgia Tech seeds bioscience and advanced technology pursuits. The Life Sciences Facilities Fund is for qualified biotech ventures. And, the Strategic Industries Loan Fund from OneGeorgia Authority supports life sciences and other advanced technology and innovations.
The bottom line: your ideas belong in Georgia, where they can gain a wealth of support.
Below is a sample of some of the services that help transform commercial possibilities into realities.
| 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 |
| Appalachian Regional Commission Economic Development Grant Program |
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. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| Community Development Block Grant Program |
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. |
| 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. |
| Georgia Regional Development Centers |
Working closely with local economic-development officials and financial institutions, these assist communities and businesses with a variety of financing options. |
| 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. |
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. |