Georgia has about 1.2 million small business owners statewide who can apply for small business grants. Submitting an application and competing for Georgia small business grants can help you grow your small or medium-sized enterprise in the Peach State.
Georgia’s economy has a gross domestic product of $661 billion as of 2023. That’s the ninth largest GDP in the United States out of the 50 states and the District of Columbia. Small businesses contribute to the nation’s economy.
If you’re a small business owner looking to fund or expand your enterprise, there are various sources of grants, which are funds that don’t need to be repaid, unlike loans. .Below, some of the top small business grants in Georgia that you can explore.
Grants for Small Businesses in Georgia
If you’re looking for small business grants in Georgia, here are some potential options to consider:
Go Global Georgia Grant Program
• Program description: A Go Global Georgia grant from Georgia’s State Trade Expansion Program (STEP) can help you export your products and services from the Peach State to foreign markets.
• Incentive: Get reimbursed up to 75% for eligible business expenses, including international marketing and trade show participation costs. (There’s a maximum award amount per company for each grant period.)
• General requirements: Here are some of the general requirements for this grant:
◦ Be incorporated in the United States and operate in the state of Georgia
◦ Be a small business
◦ Be an active business in existence for at least 12 months
◦ Be in good standing with the federal government (have not been debarred)
◦ Be an export-ready Georgia company seeking to export goods or services of U.S. origin or that have at least 51% U.S. content
◦ Understand how exporting works and have sufficient resources to bear the costs associated with trade
• How to apply: Applications for the Go Global Georgia export grant are available through the Georgia Department of Economic Development’s website. Applications must typically be received at least 30 business days prior to the requested export activity.
Atlanta’s Municipal Support for the Arts (MSA) Grant Program
• Program description: The City of Atlanta offers grants to artists and arts organizations through its MSA program.
• Incentive: Major arts organizations can receive up to $50,000 in matching grants supporting their community-based arts programs, and practicing artists can receive up to $4,000 supporting their work in the areas of dance, literary arts, media arts, visual arts, music, theater, or multidisciplinary genres.
• General requirements: Here are some of the general requirements for this grant:
◦ Reside in the City of Atlanta or have Atlanta-based headquarters
◦ Operate as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit or independent artist
◦ Present an arts project within the City of Atlanta that’s open to the general public
◦ Nonprofit arts and community organizations must be incorporated in the state of Georgia and headquartered in Atlanta’s corporate city limits for three years prior to the application deadline
• How to apply: You can apply for Atlanta MSA grants through the Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs website when the application period opens. Check to see the annual guidelines.
City of Clarkston Small Business Façade Matching Grant Program
• Program description: Eligible commercial property owners in the City of Clarkston can receive partial reimbursement for enhancing the general aesthetics of a building exterior or façade.
• Incentive: Receive up to $20K in reimbursements for making façade improvements to an eligible property in the City of Clarkston.
• General requirements: Here are some of the general requirements for this grant:
◦ Own commercial property in one of the following City of Clarkston zoning districts:
◦ Clarkston Town Center (TC)
◦ Residential Commercial (RC)
◦ Neighborhood Commercial 1 (NC-1)
◦ Neighborhood Commercial 2 (NC-2)
◦ Propose a façade improvement project to your commercial property
◦ Adhere to all City of Clarkston/DeKalb County Fire Marshal codes and ordinances
• How to apply: You can access the City of Clarkston small business façade grant application on the city’s website.
Perry Main Street BOOST Grant
• Program description: BOOST is a small business grant program for eligible small business owners and entrepreneurs in the Downtown District of Perry, Georgia.
• Incentive: Receive up to $1,000 per grant cycle that can help your small business grow.
• General requirements: Here are some of the general requirements for this grant:
◦ Be a small business owner or entrepreneur within the Downtown District of Perry, Georgia
◦ Propose a small business project that seeks to use BOOST funds in one of the following eligible areas:
◦ Buying equipment, furniture, machinery, or fixtures for your business
◦ Making interior renovations
◦ Installing a security system
◦ Agree to place an “I’ve been BOOSTed” sign on your business for one month if awarded a grant
• How to apply: You can access the BOOST Grant application on the City of Perry’s website.
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City of Dallas Façade Grant Program
• Program description: The City of Dallas Downtown Development Authority (DDDA) in the state of Georgia offers matching grants to eligible business owners who make façade improvements.
• Incentive: Receive up to $5,000 in reimbursements for making façade improvements to an eligible property in the Central Business District of Dallas, Georgia.
• General requirements: Here are some of the general requirements for this grant:
◦ Be a business or commercial property owner in the Central Business District of Dallas, Georgia
◦ Propose a façade improvement project to an eligible commercial or mixed-use property in the Central Business District
◦ Comply with all government rules, regulations, and laws, including local ordinances, building codes, and Historic Preservation Commission design guidelines if applicable
◦ Priority will be given to buildings that are historic, architecturally significant, visually prominent, or unsightly and in need of repair
• How to apply: You can access the DDDA Façade Grant Program application on the city’s website.
Do You Have to Pay Back a Small Business Grant?
A small business grant typically comes with terms and conditions, and you may be responsible for paying back the grant if you violate those terms. In general, small and midsized business owners are not required to pay back an SMB grant absent any violations.
You typically have to sign a funding agreement to accept a small business grant. As mentioned above, the grant may come with certain conditions. Using the grant for an illegitimate purpose may violate the agreement and require business owners to pay back the grant.
Small business grants may require you to spend the money by a certain date. You may also have to provide proof of payment and a written statement detailing how you’ve spent the grant.
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Who Is Eligible for Small Business Grants in Georgia?
Local business owners or operators of an enterprise with fewer than 500 employees may be eligible for small business grants in Georgia.
The U.S. Small Business Administration’s Office of Advocacy generally defines a small business as an independent business having fewer than 500 employees. Georgia, however, defines a small business as having 300 or fewer employees or less than $30 million in gross receipts per year. You can research which definition a particular grant uses. A small business, including individuals with freelancing business ideas, may be eligible for small business grants.
What Industries Does Georgia Support With Grants?
Georgia offers a variety of grants supporting the following industries:
• Manufacturing
• Performing arts
• Retail trade (store and nonstore retailers)
Georgia Resources for SMB Owners Looking for Funding
Here are some resources for small and medium-sized businesses looking for funding in the Peach State:
University of Georgia Small Business Development Center (SBDC)
The University of Georgia’s SBDC is a statewide program that can provide Georgia’s small business owners with the following services:
• Business training webinars and workshops
• Commercialization assistance for small and mid-sized companies
• Professional business consulting at no cost
SBA District Office in Georgia
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is a federal agency that provides resources and support to small business owners. The SBA District Office in Atlanta serves all 159 counties in Georgia.
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Alternative Funding Sources for Small Businesses in Georgia
Here are some alternative funding sources for small businesses in Georgia:
Georgia State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI)
Georgia’s SSBCI is a federally funded program for small business owners in the Peach State. Federal law — the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 — allocates nearly $200 million to Georgia’s State Small Business Credit Initiative program.
Here’s how Georgia plans to use the SSBCI funding:
• Georgia Loan Participation Program — $70 million. This program uses SSBCI funds alongside private funds to support loans to small business borrowers.
• Georgia CDFI Program — $60 million. Federally designated Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) participating in the Georgia CDFI program can help minority-owned small businesses and other socially and economically disadvantaged communities in the Peach State access SSBCI funds.
• Georgia Venture Capital Program — $30 million. This program will help eligible startups access venture capital.
• Georgia Equity Direct Program — $20 million. This is another program that can help eligible Georgia startups access venture capital.
• Georgia Small Business Credit Guaranty (SBCG) Program — $19.6 million. This program provides lenders with a 50% credit guaranty on eligible small business loans of up to $1 million.
Georgia Microloan Lenders
Community-based nonprofits may offer microloans of up to $50,000 to small business owners in Georgia, including microloans for women-owned small businesses. In general, microloans can range from $500 to $50K and may be available to startups.
Georgia SMB Loans from Private Lenders
Banks, credit unions, and private lenders may offer different types of small business loans to Georgia business owners.
Here are some of the funding products you may consider depending on your needs:
• Commercial real estate loans
• Equipment financing
• Small business loans for startups
• Working capital lines of credit
The Takeaway
There are many opportunities for small businesses in Georgia, whether it’s grants from state or local governments or grants from the private sector.
If you’re seeking financing for your business, SoFi can help. On SoFi’s marketplace, you can shop top providers today to access the capital you need. Find a personalized business financing option today in minutes.
FAQ
How do you get a small business grant in Georgia?
You can apply for Georgia small business grants, but there’s no guarantee you’ll get approved for one. You may have to submit a grant application as a qualified small business owner to be considered for a small business grant in Georgia.
How hard is it to get a business loan in Georgia?
You may have difficulty getting a small business loan in Georgia if you have bad credit or insufficient business experience. Unlike the case with grants, you generally have to pay back business loans with interest.
What is the easiest SBA loan to get approved for?
There’s no guarantee you’ll get approved for any SBA loan, but SBA microloans may be one of the easier ones to get if you’re a new business owner. Startups may be eligible for SBA microloans of up to $50K. If you’re looking for a streamlined application process, SBA Express working capital loans are an option you may consider.
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