Typically, a 504 project includes a loan secured with a senior lien from a private sector lender covering up to 50 percent of the project cost, a loan secured with a junior lien from the CDC (backed by a 100 percent SBA guaranteed debenture) covering up to 40 percent of the cost, and a contribution of at least 10 percent equity from the small business.

Maximum Debenture

The maximum SBA debenture is $1,000,000 for meeting job creation criteria or a community development goal. Generally, a business must create or retain one job for every $50,000 provided by the SBA.

The maximum SBA debenture is $1.3 million for meeting a public policy goal. The public policy goals are as follows:

• Business district revitalization
• Expansion of exports
• Expansion of minority business development
• Rural development
• Enhanced economic competition
• Restructuring because of federally mandated standards or policies
• Changes necessitated by federal budget cutbacks
• Expansion of small business concerns owned and controlled by veterans
• Expansion of small business concerns owned and controlled by women

What Funds May Be Used For

Proceeds from 504 loans must be used for fixed asset projects such as: purchasing land and improvements (including existing buildings, grading, street improvements, utilities, parking lots, and landscaping), construction of new facilities, modernizing, renovating, or converting existing facilities, or purchasing long-term machinery and equipment.
The 504 program cannot be used for working capital or inventory, consolidating or repaying debt, or refinancing.

Terms, Interest Rates, and Fees

Interest rates on 504 loans are pegged to an increment above the current market rate for five-year and 10-year U.S. Treasury issues; maturities of 10 and 20 years are also available. Fees total approximately 3 percent of the debenture and may be financed with the loan.

Collateral

Generally, the project assets being financed are used as collateral. Personal guarantees of the principal owners are also required.

Eligible Businesses

To be eligible, the business must be operated for profit and fall within the size standards set by the SBA. Under the 504 program, the business qualifies as small if it does not have a tangible net worth in excess of $7 million and does not have an average net income in excess of $2.5 million after taxes for the preceding two years. Loans cannot be made to businesses engaged in speculation or investment in rental real estate.