Latino Community Fund is investing $150,000 in Loan Pilots As Part of Efforts Strengthening Immigrant-Owned Businesses
ATLANTA, GA — August 7, 2026 — Building on the findings of its newly released Georgia Immigrant-Owned Business Needs Assessment, Latino Community Fund Georgia (LCF Georgia) announced $150,000 in new investments to expand access to capital for immigrant-owned businesses and help preserve Georgia’s commercial corridors.
The announcement includes a $50,000 Pilot Loan Program in partnership with LISC (Local Initiatives Support Corporation) to provide flexible financing for small businesses located along the Buford Highway corridor and in the City of Clarkston; and a $100,000 capital fund designed to help business owners purchase their commercial properties, build long-term wealth, and reduce the risk of displacement.
The investments were announced during the launch of LCF Georgia’s GA’s Immigrant-Owned Business Needs Assessment, the first statewide study examining the experiences, barriers, and opportunities facing immigrant entrepreneurs across the state
Supported by JPMorganChase, the report includes an interactive Business Support Finder and Evidence-Based Playbook designed to help local governments, lenders, and business support organizations strengthen immigrant entrepreneurship.
“Immigrant entrepreneurs have spent decades investing in Georgia’s communities. They have created jobs, revitalized commercial corridors, and built businesses that families depend on every day,” said Gigi Pedraza, Executive Director of Latino Community Fund Georgia. “This research showed us that many entrepreneurs aren’t lacking ambition—they’re navigating systems that weren’t built with them in mind. Today’s investment is about turning research into action by expanding access to capital, preserving legacy businesses, and ensuring these entrepreneurs can continue building wealth in the communities they helped create.”
The research was conducted over two years in collaboration with Neighborhood Nexus, We Love Buford Highway, Prospera, the Latin American Association, and the Refugee Women Network. It included a statewide survey administered in 16 languages, focus groups with immigrant business owners, interviews with local governments and economic development leaders, and an analysis of Georgia’s business support ecosystem. Data collected represents 54 different countries across the state.
Among the assessment’s key findings:
- More than 124,000 immigrant-owned businesses operate across Georgia.
- 75.6% of businesses surveyed along Buford Highway reported rising commercial rents.
- Immigrant-owned businesses operate in community-facing sectors, acting as economic and social anchors.
- Informality is transitional rather than preferred. Over 30% of unincorporated businesses do not know how or where to incorporate.
- In addition to registration, many entrepreneurs face barriers accessing capital, navigating processes, and connecting with technical assistance.
- Language barriers limit marketing, professional relationships, regulatory compliance, and access to resources.
- Current business education and training are fundamentally misaligned with the real-world demands of entrepreneurs.
- Existing financial products often fail to meet the needs of micro-businesses and legacy businesses.
- Local governments have significant opportunities to strengthen policies that support commercial stability and long-term business growth.
Alongside the assessment, LCF Georgia released four public resources designed to support policymakers, lenders, and entrepreneurs:
- Georgia Immigrant-Owned Business Needs Assessment
- Strengthening Access to Capital in Georgia, a localized analysis of Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs)
- The Case for Anti-Displacement Policies, examining strategies to preserve commercial corridors
- Evidence-Based Playbook & Business Support Finder, providing practical recommendations and an online directory of funding and technical assistance resources
The complete research, interactive Business Support Finder, and implementation playbook are available to download at gaimmigrantbusinessreport.org.
About Latino Community Fund Georgia
Latino Community Fund Georgia (LCF Georgia) is a nonprofit organization that builds a stronger Georgia by investing in Latino-led solutions that expand economic opportunity, strengthen civic participation, improve health, and support grassroots organizations through research, advocacy, direct services, and community investment.
Media Contact
Daniela Racines
Communications Manager
Latino Community Fund Georgia
daniela@lcfgeorgia.org
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