Local Developer Incentive Fund

The Local Developer Incentive Fund is administered through Atlanta BeltLine, Inc. and was created to expand affordable commercial space options along the BeltLine corridor. The program is designed to support local developers and small-scale real estate projects that prioritize below-market rent opportunities for businesses. By offering financial assistance in the form of recoverable grants, the fund is intended to reduce barriers for developers committed to affordability, equitable access, and long-term community benefit. The purpose of the program is to stimulate development that maintains affordable space for local entrepreneurs and small businesses in areas where rising costs have limited opportunities. The fund emphasizes projects that strengthen the BeltLine’s role as a driver of inclusive economic development. Applicants may propose new construction, pre-development, or projects involving recently completed spaces, provided they contribute to the supply of below-market commercial square footage. Funding can be applied toward a wide range of eligible uses depending on project stage. New construction and pre-development applicants may request support for proformas, project plans, environmental assessments, and financing structures. For completed projects, eligible uses include tenant improvements, leasing strategy implementation, and operating support tied to maintaining affordability. All applicants must demonstrate site control, provide three years of financial history, and present evidence of insurance, zoning, and leadership capacity. Required documents also include a market analysis, leasing plan, and bios of key project leaders. Proposals must illustrate financial feasibility and readiness to achieve the program’s affordability goals. Grant awards range from $150,000 to $500,000. These are structured as recoverable grants, meaning funds are to be repaid under certain circumstances defined by the agreement. While no cost share or matching requirement is explicitly noted, applicants must provide robust financial statements and demonstrate project sustainability. The program does not specify a set number of awards, leaving this dependent on funding availability and project quality. Applications must be submitted online in one session, as the portal does not save partially completed forms. Developers are encouraged to prepare all required documentation before beginning the process. The deadline for the current cycle is October 24, 2025, at 11:59 PM Eastern Time. Applications that do not include complete documentation will not be considered. Evaluation will focus on financial strength, market need, leadership capacity, and alignment with the goal of providing below-market commercial space. Questions may be directed to the program’s official contact at business@atlbeltline.org. While no individual staff contact is listed, inquiries will be routed through the program inbox. Applicants should allow sufficient time to gather the extensive required materials before the deadline. Awards will be announced following review, though no specific notification date or performance period has been detailed. The fund is positioned as an ongoing resource to support inclusive development along the BeltLine.

Applicants should prepare all documents before starting as the system does not save incomplete applications.