Grant & Loan Programs

Utilizing one-third of Georgia’s share of the Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement to assist the state’s most economically challenged areas, the OneGeorgia Authority anticipates spending $1.6 billion on investments in Georgia’s rural counties over the 25-year term of the settlement. The goal of the OneGeorgia Authority is to offer financial partnerships with rural communities to create strong economies in all business sectors, allowing new and existing industries, both large and small, to flourish. OneGeorgia is bridging Georgia’s economic divide by ensuring balanced growth across the state helping to guarantee that all Georgians have access to economic opportunities in their own communities.

The AIRGeorgia (Airport Initiative in Rural Georgia) Fund provides grants to integrate airport infrastructure improvements into OneGeorgia’s overall plan for rural economic development. AIRGeorgia, targeted to the 49 Level I and Level II airports in rural Georgia, will accelerate a number of projects including runway extensions, installation of navigational aids, weather reporting stations and other projects deemed necessary to increase accessibility of Georgia’s rural airports and communities.

The BRIDGE (Broadband Rural Initiative to Develop Georgia’s Economy) Fund provides grants for publicly owned infrastructure based on the number of rural counties receiving new or enhanced high speed broadband services.

The Entrepreneur and Small Business Development Loan Guarantee (ESB) Fund provides new financial resources and opportunities for business development in Georgia’s at-risk areas by partnering with accredited Georgia financial institutions.

The EDGE (Economic Development, Growth and Expansion) Fund is utilized when one rural Georgia community competes for business location and/or expansion with another community from outside the state.

The Equity Fund provides financial assistance to rural communities to help build the necessary infrastructure for economic development. Equity funds are also available as loans for several different types of projects, such as constructing speculative buildings in order to attract additional industries to these regions.