August 21, 2025
Top Industries in Atlanta Benefiting from SBA 504 Financing
Atlanta’s top industries including healthcare, technology, film, logistics, and advanced manufacturing are leveraging SBA 504 loans to fuel growth. With low down payments, fixed rates, and long repayment terms, these loans make major asset purchases more accessible. As Georgia’s leading CDC, GSBC has helped businesses secure over $14 billion in projects, supporting expansion across the region.

SBA 504 loans are a powerful financing tool for Atlanta businesses looking to acquire major fixed assets and fuel their growth.

As Georgia's premier Certified Development Company (CDC), Georgia Small Business Capital (GSBC) has helped countless businesses secure these loans.

Let's examine which Atlanta industries are benefiting most from this financing option and why.

What Makes SBA 504 Loans Attractive

The SBA 504 loan program offers several distinct advantages that make it particularly appealing to growing businesses, including:

  • Low down payments (as little as 10%)
  • Long-term, fixed interest rates
  • Extended repayment terms up to 25 years

These loans work through a straightforward structure: typically, a conventional lender (bank or credit union) provides 50% of the financing, GSBC provides 40% through an SBA-guaranteed debenture, and the borrower contributes just 10%.

This structure makes large purchases much more accessible for small businesses.

Top Industries Leveraging SBA 504 Financing in Atlanta

Based on economic data and industry trends in the Atlanta area, which serves as the economic capital of the Southeast, several industries stand out as the primary beneficiaries of SBA 504 financing:

1. Healthcare and Medical Services

Atlanta has established itself as a premier healthcare hub in the Southeast, with major healthcare systems including Emory Healthcare, Piedmont Healthcare, and Children's Healthcare of Atlanta. The healthcare sector represents one of metro Atlanta's largest employment sectors, with over 250,000 healthcare workers across the region.

Healthcare facilities frequently require substantial investment in medical facilities and specialized equipment, making them ideal candidates for SBA 504 financing. Atlanta's healthcare industry benefits from the 504 program's ability to finance:

  • Purchase or renovation of medical office buildings
  • Acquisition of advanced medical equipment
  • Expansion of existing facilities to serve more patients
  • Construction of specialized treatment centers

The city's position as home to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and numerous medical research facilities creates ongoing demand for fixed asset financing.

2. Technology and Financial Services

Atlanta has emerged as a major technology hub, often referred to as the "Silicon Peach," with a thriving ecosystem of startups and established tech companies. The city ranks among the top 10 U.S. metros for tech jobs, with major presence from companies like Microsoft, Google, and NCR Corporation.

The financial technology (fintech) sector is particularly strong, with Atlanta processing more than 70% of all credit card transactions in the United States. Technology and financial services companies use SBA 504 loans for:

  • Purchasing office buildings instead of leasing
  • Acquiring specialized technology infrastructure
  • Building or renovating data centers
  • Expanding facilities to accommodate rapid growth

3. Film and Entertainment Production

Georgia has become the "Hollywood of the South," with Atlanta at the center of this booming industry. The state offers attractive tax incentives that have drawn major film and television productions, with over $4 billion in direct spending on productions annually.

Production companies and supporting businesses benefit from SBA 504 loans for:

  • Constructing or purchasing sound stages and production facilities
  • Acquiring specialized film equipment
  • Building post-production facilities
  • Developing support infrastructure for the entertainment industry

4. Transportation and Logistics

Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, the world's busiest airport by passenger traffic, anchors a massive transportation and logistics sector. The metro area serves as a major distribution hub for the Southeast, with easy access to major highways and rail lines.

Transportation and logistics companies frequently use SBA 504 financing for:

  • Purchasing or constructing warehouse facilities
  • Acquiring distribution centers
  • Purchasing heavy transportation equipment
  • Expanding existing logistics operations

5. Advanced Manufacturing

While Atlanta is known more for its service economy, the metro area maintains a significant manufacturing presence, particularly in aerospace, automotive components, and food processing. Major manufacturers like Lockheed Martin and Delta Air Lines' maintenance facilities call Atlanta home.

Manufacturing companies benefit from SBA 504 loans for:

  • Purchasing or constructing manufacturing facilities
  • Acquiring heavy machinery and production equipment
  • Expanding existing operations
  • Modernizing facilities for new product lines

Other Notable Beneficiaries

Several other sectors in Atlanta demonstrate significant benefit from SBA 504 loans:

Construction and Real Estate Development: Atlanta's rapid growth drives demand for construction services, with companies using 504 loans for equipment purchases and facility expansion.

Professional and Business Services: As a regional headquarters city, Atlanta hosts numerous consulting, legal, and accounting firms that use 504 loans for office purchases and renovations.

Hospitality and Tourism: With major conventions and events, Atlanta's hotels and restaurants frequently use 504 financing for property acquisition and equipment purchases.

Is Your Atlanta Business Eligible for SBA 504 Financing?

To qualify for an SBA 504 loan, your business must:

  • Be a for-profit business in the United States
  • Have a tangible net worth under $20 million
  • Have a net profit under $6.5 million (after taxes) for the two preceding years

These funds can be used for:

  • Purchasing land
  • Buying or constructing buildings
  • Renovating or modernizing existing buildings
  • Purchasing machinery and equipment with a 10-year useful life
  • Refinancing existing commercial real estate debt
  • Refinancing existing machinery and equipment debt

Current SBA 504 Loan Rates

As of April 2025, interest rates for SBA 504 loans are:

  • 25-Year Debentures: 6.437%
  • 25-Year Refinance: 6.466%
  • 20-Year Debentures: 6.457%
  • 20-Year Refinance: 6.487%
  • 10-Year Debentures: 6.348%
  • 10-Year Refinance: 6.384%

The GSBC Advantage

Since 1989, GSBC has been dedicated to helping Georgia small businesses access the capital they need to grow. As a premier provider of SBA 504 loans in the region, we've helped secure more than $14 billion in total 504 projects approved and contributed to the creation of over 76,000 jobs.

What sets us apart is our commitment to:

  • Certainty: Reliable support and expert guidance backed by over three decades of experience
  • Speed: Quick, efficient processes ensuring you receive necessary financing without delays
  • Service: Support from application through the life of your loan

Ready to Grow Your Atlanta Business?

Whether you're in healthcare, technology, film production, logistics, manufacturing, or another industry that could benefit from fixed-asset financing, GSBC can help you secure the SBA 504 loan you need. Our streamlined process takes you from application to closing with certainty, speed, and exceptional service.

Atlanta's economy continues to thrive as a major business center of the Southeast, with Fortune 500 companies, a diverse industry base, and consistent population growth driving opportunity. With major developments like the continuing expansion of the film industry and growth in the technology sector, the opportunities for business expansion are substantial.

Contact us today to schedule a no-risk consultation with one of our loan officers. With over 35 years of expertise, GSBC is your trusted partner for small business financing in Georgia's capital city.

For more information about SBA 504 loans in Atlanta and throughout Georgia, contact Georgia Small Business Capital at (404) 209-2600 or info@ga504.com.