Government Grant & Loan Programs

There are a variety of Government Grant & Loan Programs that are available to assist private businesses in Columbia County. Eligibility to participate in these programs are typically based on a business’s ability to make a positive impact on the local or regional economy. While there are always exceptions to the rule, Economic Development Grants are typically administered through a development authority and/or local government to provide business-serving infrastructure (a rail connection, a widened road, water/sewer lines, etc.). Additionally, these programs award economic development grants that come in the form of low-interest loans. These low-interest grant-loans are typically administered through a development authority and/or local government to private businesses for investments that result in positive economic development (job creation, enhanced tax base, etc.). Below is a table that summarizes many of the competitive economic development grant programs available in Columbia County:

Government Economic Development Grant Programs
Funding Source	Grant Program	General Nature of Program
The OneGeorgia Authority	Equity Grants	Infrastructure grants & capital grant-loans available for businesses; awards range from $200K - $500K depending on regional impact.
The OneGeorgia Authority	EDGE Grants	General purpose econ dev grants available for businesses that are (1) considering locating in another State & (2) making a major econ impact. Maximum award is determined by econ impact.
GA Dept of Community Affairs	Employment Incentive Program (EIP)	Infrastructure grants & capital grant-loans available for businesses based on # of jobs created and/or retained. Max award is $500K; follows a scale of roughly $10K per job.
USDA	Rural Business Enterprise Grants (RBEG)	Grant-loans available for emerging businesses; max is $100K.
USDA	Rural Econ Dev & Loan Grants (REDLG)	Grant-loans available for emerging businesses; max is $450K. 0% interest - administered through a sponsoring utility company.
SRRDI	Savannah River Regional Dev. Initiative	Provides grants and venture capital for advanced technology companies.
U.S. Econ Dev Admin (EDA)	Public Works Program	Infrastructure grants available for businesses. Max award is determined by economic impact of applicant company.

U.S. Small Business Administration Loans

The U.S. Small Business Administration offers numerous loan programs to assist small businesses. It is important to note, however, that the SBA is primarily a guarantor of loans made by private and other lending institutions. Such SBA partners include Lenders, Community Development Organizations, and Microlending Institutions. One such partner that effectively administers the SBA business loan programs in Columbia County is the Central Savannah River Area Business Lending Agency. To contact the CSRA Business Lending Agency, please see the “Links” page of this website. Below is a table that provides a brief summary of SBA’s Business Lending Programs:

U.S. Small Business Administration Loans
Loan Program	Nature of Loan
Basic 7(a) Loan Guaranty	SBA’s primary loan program for small businesses financing when they might not be eligible for loans through normal lending channels. Highly flexible for general business purposes.
Certified Development Community 504 Loan	Long-term, fixed-rate financing to small businesses acquiring real estate, machinery or equipment for expansion or modernization.
Microloan 7(m) Program	Provides short-term loans of up to $35,000 to small businesses and not-for-profit child-care centers for working capital or the purchase of inventory, supplies, furniture, fixtures, machinery and/or equipment. The SBA makes or guarantees a loan to an intermediary, who in turn makes the microloan to the applicant. The applicant’s loans are not guaranteed by the SBA.