ACCION USA is a nonprofit, community based organization whose
mission is to improve the lives of low and moderate-income individuals
in the United States by providing credit and other financial services.
ACCION USA provides small business loans at competitive interest
rates that range from 2 – 60 month terms.
The mission of the City of Savannah’s Economic Development Department
is to facilitate the development of activities that assist in fostering and
sustaining diversified economies to engender a strong local economy, provide
for a better quality of life in Savannah neighborhoods and decrease the
number of individuals living below the poverty level through business
development and enhancement, community and corridor revitalization, and
asset building. The Economic Development Department is in the Bureau of
Public Development and operates the Savannah Entrepreneurial Center,
Minority and Women-owned Business Enterprise Program, and is
responsible for the revitalization of 16 targeted corridors. Other activities
within the department include Financial Literacy training, partnership in
an Individual Development Account Program with the Economic
Opportunities Authority (EOA) and participation in a collaboration to
provide a Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program to maximize tax
refunds for persons with low to moderate incomes through the Earned
Income Tax Credit.
Savannah Development and Renewal Authority (SDRA) is a public authority
established to enhance revitalization and redevelopment of Greater
Downtown Savannah.
The mission of the SDRA is to lead a coordinated strategy of economic
development and civic design strengthening Greater Downtown Savannah
as the heart of Savannah for all Savannahians, the economic hub of the
region, a prosperous place for business and institutions, and an attractive
urban environment for residents and visitors.
SDRA has a Business Resource Center, a one-stop shop which houses
information to assist existing and prospective business owners with
business start-up, expansion and relocation. The Resource Center houses
lists of available properties, information on property improvement programs,
information on business counseling services, and material on local, state,
and regional development and property rehabilitation tools.
Small Business Assistance Corporation (SBAC) is a specialized, nonprofit
business development organization licensed by the U.S. Small Business
Administration and certified by the Community Development Financial
Institution (CDFI) Fund of the Department of Treasury to deliver small
business development loan programs. SBAC has been in full operation since
September 1989. Services include, but are not limited to:
