The Coastal Area District Development Authority (CADDA), a nonprofit business lender based in Savannah and Brunswick, is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2026, marking five decades of helping small businesses grow, creating jobs and strengthening communities across Georgia’s coastal region.

Founded in 1976, CADDA began with a single mission: to preserve local jobs and stimulate economic recovery in coastal Georgia. What started with one U.S. Economic Development Administration grant to sustain a seafood processor in Brunswick, Georgia, soon grew into one of the first and largest rural revolving loan funds in the nation. Over the years, CADDA has evolved into a self-sufficient, locally controlled nonprofit recognized for its expertise in development finance and commitment to regional growth.

“CADDA’s history is rooted in resilience and turning challenges into opportunity,” said Terry Louk, CADDA Chief Executive Officer. “For fifty years, we’ve helped small businesses secure the financing they need to start, grow and thrive. This milestone is not just a look back, it’s a celebration of the people, partners and progress that continue to drive our mission forward.”

Since its founding, CADDA has continuously expanded its impact, becoming a Small Business Administration (SBA) Certified Development Company in 1982, adding U.S. Department of Agriculture and SBA loan programs throughout the 1990s and 2000s, as well as managing multiple federal and regional funds that have fueled small business development across Georgia, North Florida, and the Lowcountry of South Carolina. In 2024, CADDA also achieved a major milestone by defederalizing its programs, gaining full local control of its lending portfolio and ensuring long-term sustainability.

To mark the anniversary, CADDA has unveiled a new logo and refreshed brand identity symbolizing growth, momentum and the enduring partnerships that have defined its first fifty years. The organization will also host a year-long series of celebrations and community initiatives recognizing the entrepreneurs, lenders and leaders who have helped shape its legacy.

The celebratory events will kick off with an invite-only Partner Appreciation Event on February 5, 2026, at the Enmarket Arena in Savannah. The event will feature a reception, networking, and a guest representative from the Council of Development Finance Agencies, which will host its annual conference in Savannah later this year, followed by an exciting evening of appreciation at the Savannah Ghost Pirates game.

For more information about CADDA’s 50th anniversary and its ongoing programs, visit www.cadda-sba.org.