Helping small businesses reach big potential.

We may be able to help your company with gap financing – see which loans you qualify for.

How do you get started?

Run through our easy checklist or download an information flyer for more info.

1
RSVP for one of our in-person seminars or take it online.
2
Download informational flyer.
3
Fill out a loan application through the online platform.

Small Business Loans

Invest Atlanta administers these funds to encourage business development in the City of Atlanta.

Atlanta Cares Revolving Loan Fund (ACRLF)

Provides financial support in response to economic disruptions by COVID-19

Type

Aimed to alleviate sudden and severe economic dislocation caused by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and provide permanent resources to support economic resiliency to further the long-term economic objectives of the region.

Amount

$10,000 to $100,000

Structure

  • Direct Loans

Terms

Not to exceed 7 years; with a 6-12-month deferment prior to first loan payment

Interest Rate

1% to 3%

Requirements

The ACRLF is created to provide a public benefit to small and medium-sized local businesses engaged in trade, industry, and commerce to address the economic shock to the business ecosystem and disaster caused by COVID-19 in the City of Atlanta.

Eligible Areas

Citywide

Jobs Created/Retained

During the COVID19 disaster and similar periods, ADA intends to help eligible businesses retain jobs.

Application Fee

$100

SBA 504 Loan Program

Financial and technical assistance of up to $5 million for small minority- and female-owned businesses relocating or expanding in the City of Atlanta.

Type

Offers financial and technical assistance to small minority- and female-owned businesses relocating or expanding in the City of Atlanta.

Amount

Up to $5 million for job creation; $5.5 million for public policy manufacturers; $4 million for NAICS Sector 31, 32 or 33 manufacturers.

Structure

  • Private Financing - 50%
  • SBA Loan - 40%
  • Equity - 10%

Terms

10 or 20 years

Interest Rate

Based on 10-year Treasury Note

Requirements

10% Equity Injection

Eligible Areas

Citywide

Application Fee

$100

Opportunity Loan Fund

Supporting job creation with gap funding from $100K.

Type

Supports job creation by providing gap funding to small and medium-sized businesses creating new quality jobs.

Amount

$100,000

Structure

  • Private Financing - 50%
  • Opportunity Loan Fund - 50%

Terms

3 to 7 years, (15 years for real estate)

Interest Rate

½ of prime plus 2% (4% minimum)

Requirements

20% Equity Injection

Eligible Areas

Citywide, with special consideration for businesses in Priority Areas.

Jobs Created/Retained

At least 5 quality jobs providing healthcare coverage

Application Fee

$100

Business Improvement Loan Fund

Direct loans of up to $100K to businesses located within business improvement districts.

Type

Encourages the revitalization of targeted business districts and supports development in other eligible areas.

Amount

Direct Loans: $100,000 maximum
Loan Participants: Not to exceed 10% of total financing

Structure

  • Direct Loans

Terms

3 to 7 years

Interest Rate

Based on evaluation of cash flow statement.

Requirements

20% Equity Injection

Eligible Areas

Business Improvement Districts

Application Fee

$100

Atlanta Street Vendor Loan Fund

Provides support for permitted street vendors in the City of Atlanta to purchase of vending carts that are compliant with the vending ordinance.

Type

Assists permitted street vendor in the City of Atlanta by providing support for the purchase of vending carts that are compliant with the vending ordinance.

Amount

Up to $3,000.

Structure

  • Direct Loans

Terms

Not to exceed 2 Years

Interest Rate

0%

Requirements

Matching portion must be at least a 1:1 ratio

Eligible Areas

Citywide

Application Fee

$100

Atlanta Forward Loan Fund

Provides financial assistance to small businesses and start-up companies located within accelerators, incubators and co-working spaces in the City of Atlanta.

Amount

$5,000 to $20,000

Structure

  • Direct Loans

Terms

3 years with a six-month deferment before the first payment is due.

Interest Rate

2% Fixed

Requirements

Must maintain a business location in the City of Atlanta.

Eligible Areas

$100

Application Fee

Waived

Community Loan Fund

Provides funds for existing companies improving commercial property, purchasing equipment, furniture and fixtures, and paying off high-interest business debt.

Type

Funding for existing companies improving commercial property, purchasing equipment, furniture and fixtures, and paying off high-interest business debt.

Amount

$10,000 - $50,000; up to $30,000 can be used for working capital.

Terms

Direct Loans

Varies Between 3 and 7 Years

Interest Rate

3% Fixed

Requirements

Must be a recent graduate or attending a technical assistance program.

Eligible Areas

Citywide

Application Fee

$100

Brownfield Revolving Loan Fund

Cleanup financing for eligible redevelopment products within the city limits.

The City of Atlanta - Invest Atlanta Brownfield Revolving Loan Fund (BRLF) Program provides financing for eligible brownfields clean-up projects within the Atlanta city limits. Brownfields Revolving Loan Fund (BCRLF) loans are available to qualified, suitable market- ready sites to appropriate developers and buyers. The loans provided by the BRLF fund the remediation required for site cleanup, which then allow redevelopment projects to go forward.

For full program information, please visit: Brownfield Revolving Loan Fund

Terms

Loan terms will be based upon the borrower's needs, repayment ability and how much the borrower is financing. Repayment terms will be customized depending on the projects cash flow needs. Interest only payments may be made available for the first year; however, all loans will be fully amortized by a daily rate. Deferred payments may be an option in structuring a workout plan. Generally, terms will be kept as short as practical in order to recycle funds. All conditions, including the loan term, will be evidenced by a promissory note, security documents, and other closing documents, as necessary, to be signed at closing. 

Interest Rate

Interest rates will be established to meet the needs of borrowers while yielding income to support the administrative expenses of City of Atlanta BRLF. The interest rate, as a general rule, will be less than or equal to the prime interest rate, but not less than zero percent. It is anticipated that loan rates will be between zero percent (0%) and the current market rate plus one hundred basis points. The prime rate shall be the prime rate quoted in the Wall Street Journal or the maximum interest rate allowed under State law. The interest rate will be fixed for the term of the loan.

Eligible Areas

The Brownfield Revolving Loan Fund is available in Targeted Communities within the City of Atlanta. The City of Atlanta and Invest Atlanta will focus its marketing activities on the Targeted Communities listed below in order to have a positive impact on these areas. Further, Invest Atlanta, where possible will coordinate with the Phoenix Fund and Business Improvement Loan Funds to maximize financial impact when projects become eligible for multiple lender options.

  • The Atlanta BeltLine 
  • Targeted Redevelopment Corridors
    • Donald Lee Hollowell Parkway
    • Simpson Road
    • Jonesboro Road
    • Campbellton Road
    • Stadium Neighborhoods
    • Memorial Drive
  • Proctor Creek Watershed
  • Groundwork Atlanta (NPUs D and G)
  • Atlanta Area Wide Planning Program
  • Opportunity Zones - Downtown, Auburn Avenue, Lakewood Park, Metropolitan Village Dist., Cleveland Ave. Gateway and Southside Industrial Park.

Application Fee

Waived

Atlanta Recovery Loan Program

Receive up to $100,000 in low-interest loans to help your business obtain tangible assets like real estate.

The Atlanta Recovery Loan Program (ARLP) offers low-cost loans to help small businesses grow ownership of tangible assets — a major challenge for diverse-owned small businesses — to help them build wealth and avoid displacement due to changing economic conditions.

 
 

Amount

  • $25,000 to $100,000
  • For participation loans, the lesser of no more than 10% of total financing or $150,000

Terms

Not to exceed 7 years

Interest Rate

Not to exceed 3%

Requirements

Eligible Applicants

  • Businesses with fewer than 500 employees
  • Partnerships or Sole Proprietorships

  • Non-profits

Businesses in all commercial areas in the city of Atlanta, including those operating on City of Atlanta-owned property are eligible.

Eligible Expenditures

  • Purchase of commercial property and land
  • Building office/store renovations
  • Acquisition of office/store equipment and other fixed assets
  • Working capital related to expansion of business
  • Inventory, i.e., products and materials

Application Fee

$100

Commercial Down Payment Assistance Loan Program

Receive up to $250,000 in down payment assistance to help your business acquire commercial property in Atlanta.

The Atlanta Commercial Down Payment Assistance Loan program supports local small businesses located in the city of Atlanta by offering low-interest financing to assist existing business owners acquire commercial property.

Type

The Program will provide a direct loan to applicants for up to 20% of commercial costs, not to exceed $250,000. All loans will have a six-month deferment before the first payment is due.

Uses of Loan Fund
Loans shall be made for the purchase/acquisition and related renovations of a building zoned commercial within the city of Atlanta.

Amount

Minimum of $25,000; Maximum of $250,000.

Terms

Loan Maturity
Up to 10 years with a six (6) month deferment prior to the first payment; loan amortized over a 25-year period or equivalent of amortization schedule for standard commercial loans. There is no pre-payment penalty for paying off loans early. Any loan recipient that maintains ownership over 10 years shall have the option of having the remaining loan balance amortized based upon a 15-year period at a 3% interest rate.

Loan Conversion
After 10 years of consistent payments and meeting claw back provisions, the business can apply to convert the loan to a grant.

Interest Rate

Between 1% and 3%.

Requirements

For-profit corporations, partnerships, or sole proprietorships:

  • Be an existing small business with a City of Atlanta business license
  • Be an existing small business interested in acquiring commercial real estate in the city of Atlanta with emphasis in low-income census tracts, Federal Opportunity Zone areas, disadvantaged neighborhoods, or a New Markets Tax Credit approved area neighborhood
  • Demonstrate growth potential in their industry
  • Be current with all personal and business debt when applying for financing
  • Plan to occupy 50% or more of the purchased building

Non-profit organizations:​​

  • Satisfy the criteria for for-profit corporations, partnerships, or sole proprietorships
  • Derive 51% or more of their revenue from for-profit activities

Food service businesses:

  • Satisfy the criteria for for-profit corporations, partnerships, or sole proprietorships
  • Derive 51% or more of their revenue from food sales

Application Fee

$100

Atlanta Startup Growth Loan Program

Receive up to $150,000 in low-interest loans to help your startup acquire new assets or update existing assets.

The Atlanta Startup Growth Loan Program offers loans from $50,000 - $150,000 to help startups gain momentum and grow through the purchase and acquisition of assets. It provides funding to startups that have a clear demonstrated need for funding, in addition to a dedication to solving a critical problem through technology that impacts society.

Type

Loan Features

The Program will provide a direct loan to applicants. All loans will have a six-month deferment before the first payment is due.

Uses of Loan Fund 

  • Loan funds can be used for acquiring new assets or updating existing assets. Specifically, funds can be used for technology, inventory, the purchase or renovation of commercial space within the city of Atlanta, machinery and equipment, furniture and fixture, and signage.
  • Up to 20% of loan funds can be used for other working capital expenses. Working capital uses should be considered for funding only in support of the tangible asset purchase or update.  

Examples of how you might use the loan:

  • Expand existing operations.
  • Renovate or purchase commercial real estate space.
  • Purchase inventory or equipment (e.g., point of sales/POS system).
  • Product development, engineering, and infrastructure (updates to software).

Amount

Minimum of $50,000; Maximum of $150,000. 

Terms

Loan Maturity 

Up to 5 years with a six (6) month deferment prior to the first payment.  Loan terms cannot exceed the lease terms.  

Type of Collateral  

No collateral required; however, it is encouraged to strengthen application. No personal guarantee required. 

Interest Rate

Between 0% and 3%. 

Requirements

Eligibility

For-profit corporations, partnerships, or sole proprietorships are eligible.

Applicants must meet all the following criteria: 

  • Be a startup, incorporated within the last 5 years, and have an active City of Atlanta Business License.
  • Have a scalable high-impact solution within technology.
  • Demonstrate growth potential in their sector (AI, SaaS, B2C, B2B, Sustainability- Manufacturing, Deep Tech, FinTech, etc.).
  • Be current with all personal and business debt when applying for financing. 
  • Operate from home, commercial space, incubator, accelerator, or co-working space in the city of Atlanta.

Additional considerations: 

  • Have an interest in acquiring commercial real estate in the city of Atlanta, emphasis in low-income census tracts, State or Federal Opportunity Zone areas, disadvantaged neighborhoods, or a New Markets Tax Credit approved area.
  • Special emphasis on underrepresented founders.
  • Applications are reviewed on a case-by-case basis and applicants; even those who may have credit challenges are encouraged to review their current situation with Invest Atlanta’s Small Business Finance team.

Application Fee

$100

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