Logo with green palm frond next to the words Elevate Glynn in blue and green, featuring a palm leaf forming the letter v in Elevate—ideal for a loan service aiming to uplift the community.

Led by the Golden Isles Development Authority

The Elevate Glynn Initiative

Elevate Glynn empowers local entrepreneurs with the tools, capital, and support they need to grow — strengthening our community from the ground up.

  • THE INITIATIVE

A unified path to capital and growth

The Elevate Glynn Initiative, led by the Golden Isles Development Authority, is a comprehensive small business support program built to provide capital access, education, and growth resources to entrepreneurs and businesses across Glynn County.

Elevate Glynn builds on and expands the former Share the Future program into a more unified, higher-impact initiative — one that directly supports business creation, expansion, and long-term sustainability.

Two people stand in front of Lang Building Supply, smiling, as one holds a loan envelope. Stacks of lumber are visible under the building’s awning.
  • WHAT ELEVATE GLYNN DELIVERS

Three ways we help you grow

From your first pathway to capital through large-scale expansion, there’s a program matched to where your business is today. Elevate Glynn brings together three key funding tools under one initiative:

Impact Loan Fund

Microloan Program

In partnership with the Lucas Center for Entrepreneurship, this program provides accessible, flexible capital to small businesses that may not yet qualify for traditional financing.

✓ Loan amounts: $5,000 – $25,000

✓ Target: Pre-bankable, operating businesses in Glynn County

✓ Focus: Bridging the gap to traditional lending

✓ Includes mentorship + required business training

✓ Character-based underwriting (not just credit score driven)

✓ Initial fund target: $500,000 total capitalization

This program is designed to support entrepreneurs who are ready to grow but need a pathway to get there.

Apply Now

Revolving Loan Fund

Bank-partnered expansion capital

The Elevate Glynn Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) supports larger-scale business growth and expansion projects by partnering with local financial institutions.

✓ Provides up to 50% of total project funding

✓ Works alongside a participating bank (minimum 50% contribution)

✓ Typical loans up to $100,000+ based on impact

✓ Supports:

  • Real estate acquisition
  • Construction & renovations
  • Equipment & infrastructure

✓ Focus on job creation, retention, and strong business plans

This tool helps businesses scale while reducing barriers to capital.

See Full Details

Matching Grants

Former Share the Future programs

The Golden Isles Development Authority offers matching grants to support local businesses in Glynn County through placemaking, innovation, workforce development, and aviation initiatives.

✓ Placemaking: Exterior improvements that enhance business visibility and community appeal (Match: Up to $10,000)

✓ Innovation: Equipment or technology investments that improve efficiency and support job creation (Match: Up to $10,000)

✓ Workforce Education: Training and certifications that support employee retention and growth (Match: Up to $10,000)

✓ Aviation: Supports aviation workforce training and infrastructure for aerospace-related businesses (Match: Up to $15,000)

See Full Details

  • WHY IT MATTERS

Impact across the whole business journey

  • Expands access to capital for underserved businesses

  • Drives job creation and economic mobility
  • Supports entrepreneurs at every stage — startup to expansion
  • Strengthens Glynn County’s small business ecosystem

Elevate Glynn combines funding + education + mentorship into one cohesive initiative — ensuring businesses don’t just receive capital, but the support they need to succeed long-term.

  • ELEVATE GLYNN PROGRAM

Revolving Loan Fund

The goal of the Revolving Loan Fund is to support job creation by providing financing for businesses to start or expand in Glynn County. Loan repayments return to the Golden Isles Development Authority’s (GIDA) Revolving Loan Fund and are used to support future business loans.

If you are interested in learning more or applying for a loan, please read below to learn about the process.

Loan applications are reviewed and approved by the GIDA Board.

How to Apply

Step 1: Learn more and talk to the Development Authority

Review the RLF policy to understand the eligibility requirements for your business: RLF Policy

If you are interested in applying click here to answer a few questions about your business and project.

After the completed interest form is submitted, a member of the Authority team will contact you within two business days of submittal to review your request and to explain the next steps.

Start the Interest Form

Step 2: Submit Package

After an initial discussion with GIDA, you will work with a participating bank to prepare your loan package. The bank will provide at least 50% of the project financing, underwrite the request, and identify the financial and project documents needed for its review.

Once its review is complete, the bank will provide a commitment letter outlining its proposed loan terms and recommend the project to GIDA for consideration.

Financial documents needed:

  • Business plan
  • Proposed budget
  • Participating bank’s commitment letter, including its financing amount, interest rate, term, and collateral requirements 
  • Personal Financial Statements for the owners, as requested by the bank
  • Business and personal tax returns, current financial statements, and debt information, as requested by the bank
  • Relevant project documents, such as purchase agreements, leases, equipment quotes, appraisals, or environmental studies
  • Information about the business’s Glynn County headquarters, ownership, and jobs the project will create or retain

Step 3: Review Process

The participating bank will underwrite the loan request and, if it supports the project, provide a commitment letter outlining its proposed terms and a recommendation to GIDA. GIDA will review the completed package for eligibility and financial feasibility. The loan request will then be presented to the GIDA Board for consideration and approval.

The review timeline will depend on when the bank completes its underwriting and when the full package is received.

  • ELEVATE GLYNN PROGRAM

Matching Grants

The Golden Isles Development Authority offers matching grants to support local businesses in Glynn County through placemaking, innovation, workforce development, and aviation initiatives. All grants are structured as dollar-for-dollar reimbursements upon project completion, subject to Board approval and funding availability.

Placemaking

Businesses that are attractive and create a point of interest are more competitive in the marketplace. Creating a sense of place helps to attract new residents and grow area businesses. The Development Authority has funding available for placemaking grants for projects with the following parameters:

  • Must be used to improve the exterior of the facility in a way that increases the attractiveness and/or competitiveness of the business (e.g. façade improvement, landscaping, signage, etc.)
  • Funds will match dollar for dollar and be paid upon receipt of an invoice for completed work. For example, if the total landscaping project cost is $4,000 the business is expected to pay the invoice total and GIDA will reimburse the company $2,000. Funds matched to a GIDA contribution of up to $10,000.
  • Applicant must demonstrate a need for improved aesthetics in the area immediately surrounding the business
  • Preference will be given to projects that contain an artistic or cultural component
  • Preference will be given to projects where job creation may result from the improvements
  • All projects subject to Board approval and restricted by the availability of funding

To start a conversation about this grant, please answer a few questions.

Start the Questionnaire

Innovating

The Development Authority recognizes that investments in innovation are integral to business growth. The Development Authority invests in businesses that leverage new technology to their benefit. The Development Authority has funding available for innovation grants for projects with the following parameters:

  • Must be a business that makes a product (e.g. manufacturing, software, creative, etc.)
  • Grants must be used for the purchase of new equipment or software that increases the efficiency or productivity of the business and will result in the creation of new full-time employment.
  • Funds will match dollar for dollar and be paid upon receipt of an invoice for completed work. For example, if the total equipment cost is $8,000 the business is expected to pay the invoice total and GIDA will reimburse the company $4,000. Funds matched to a GIDA contribution of up to $10,000.
  • Preference will be given to projects where job creation may result from the improvements.
  • All projects subject to Board approval and restricted by the availability of funding.

To start a conversation about this grant, please answer a few questions.

Start the Questionnaire

Education

The recruitment and development of a skilled workforce are essential to our region’s economic stability and prosperity. GIDA aims to support local businesses’ efforts to attract and retain the best talent by helping to fund local training and development programs or certifications.

  • Must demonstrate that the training program or certification helps retain existing jobs or adds new jobs to the company.
  • The Technical College System of Georgia must approve training programs.
  • Funds will match dollar for dollar and be paid upon receipt of an invoice for completed work. For example, if the total training cost is $7,000 the business is expected to pay the invoice total, and GIDA will reimburse the company $3,500. Funds matched to a GIDA contribution of up to $10,000.
  • All programs are subject to Board approval and restricted by the availability of funding.

To start a conversation about this grant, please answer a few questions.

Start the Questionnaire

Aviation

The Golden Isles boasts a rich aviation heritage and exceptional resources across our three local airports. To further advance the aerospace industry and nurture the growth of our aerospace workforce, the Authority is committed to collaborating with local organizations dedicated to creating opportunities within the aerospace sector. The partnership will focus on the following initiatives:

  • Businesses can train or employ individuals specializing in aviation mechanics or avionics.
  • Grant funding may be allocated for expenses related to education (such as materials, tools, and facility costs) or infrastructure needed to establish or expand facilities that support the business and its workforce.
  • The Authority will provide matching funds on a dollar-for-dollar basis, reimbursing companies upon receipt of an invoice for completed work. For instance, if the total project cost is $4,000, the business would cover the full amount, and GIDA will reimburse $2,000. Matching funds are available for up to $15,000 per GIDA contribution.

To start a conversation about his grant, please answer a few questions.

Start the Questionnaire

*Staff and board at GIDA prioritize applicants where the organization is within one of our targeted industries and if the project will result in the retention or creation of jobs.

 The Share the Future Initiative is not intended for non-profit organizations or foundations. If you operate a regional non-profit that supports our local businesses in workforce development, education, or another community initiative, we’d be happy to discuss how we can share your program with the appropriate audience. Please contact sherripruitt@goldenislesdev.com.

Let’s talk about your business.

If you have plans to expand or grow your business, call the Development Authority first.

Sherri Pruitt

Director of Business Retention and Expansion

Sherripruitt@goldenislesdev.com
cell:912-223-3464

Let’s talk about your business.

If you have plans to expand or grow your business, call the Development Authority first.

Sherri Pruitt

Existing Industry Coordinator

Sherripruitt@bwkeda.com
cell:912-265-6629

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Let us know how we can help your business.

209 Gloucester Street, Suite 211

Brunswick, GA 31520

phone: 912-536-0844
email: info@goldenislesdev.com

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