HED's Website Administration  706-613-3155  Hours  8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.  HED Director  Keith McNeely  Administration Location  Satula Building  375 Satula Avenue  Location Map  Mailing Address  P.O. Box 1868  Athens, GA 30603

Visit the Human and Economic Development Web site for more information on their mission and programs.

Start Me Up: Small Business Guide for Athens-Clarke County is now available online in the Documents section. The Economic Development Foundation’s Entrepreneur Friendly committee recently released this 33-page guide for entrepreneurs. Items found in the guide include the definition of an entrepreneur, a checklist, a business plan, a marketing strategy, a glossary of important terms, and local resources.

You may be eligible to access a small business revolving loan fund through the Human and Economic Development Department called the “Athens-Clarke Growth Fund” (Growth Fund). HED is collaborating with the Athens Downtown Development Authority to provide this loan to finance either leasehold improvements, or long-term fixed assets such as machinery, equipment, buildings, or land.
 
The Growth Fund is a gap financing tool. Typically a gap financed loan involves the owner contributing 10% of the overall project cost, a bank or other lender (such as ADDA) providing 50% and the Growth Fund providing the “gap” or 40% needed to finance your project.
 
The loans range from $10,000 to $150,000 depending on your needs. In order to access the funds, your business must agree to create or retain at least one job per every $10,000 borrowed through the ACGF. These jobs can be created or retained within 24 months of accessing the loan.
 
For instance, if your business needs to make leasehold improvements in order to retain its current seating capacity and current staff level the cost to pay for this type of construction could be paid from the revolving loan fund. Assuming an improvement need of $25,000; your business would contribute $2,500.00, a bank or the ADDA would provide $12,500, and a loan from the Growth Fund for $10,000 would take care of the balance needed to get started. Please contact either W. Keith McNeely kmcneely@co.clarke.ga.us or Catherine Hogue CatherineHogue @co.clarke.ga.us  at HED 706-613-3155 for more information on how to access capital from the Growth Fund to help your business. 

Athens-Clarke County Department of Human & Economic Development (HED): HED was established to address the challenges facing low-income citizens and neighborhoods, including unemployment, poor housing conditions, crime and juvenile delinquency. HED strives to develop viable neighborhoods by providing decent housing, a suitable living environment and expanding economic opportunities for low-to-moderate income families.

HED administers the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), Supportive Housing Program (SHP), HOME Investment Partnership Program (HOME) and other grant programs to agencies assisting low-moderate income residents.

Economic Development
The Economic Development Division encourages job creation, new business start-up and the expansion of established businesses. Programs supported by Economic Development include Building Better Business Seminars, Athens-Clarke Growth Fund (revolving loan), Barrier Reduction Strategies (focuses on childcare and transportation), CDBG-funded programs and a quarterly report about economic development activity in the Athens-Clarke County area, "Good News for Business."

Neighborhood Clean-up
Do you want to refresh your neighborhood? Contact us and find out how to access assistance in bringing your neighborhood together and organizing a clean-up.

Neighborhood Revitalization
Revitalization efforts are conducted to improve a neighborhoods' physical condition, market value, neighborhood image, housing stock and to promote a safe living environment. For a neighborhood to be deemed eligible for Neighborhood Revitalization, 51% of residents must fall into a low-to-moderate income bracket.

Housing Counseling
Provides objective information, education, advice, & guidance to all housing consumers interested in obtaining, maintaining and retaining housing.
We want to ensure our citizens can find/maintain adequate and affordable housing. HED is a HUD approved counseling agency. (Appointment Only)

Emergency Home Repair
Provides funding for emergency home repairs for senior citizens and handicapped individuals. An application process is available for interested individuals. (Appointment Only)