What do a restaurant, a dentist + a concrete manufacturer have in common? Find out now

Sponsored

When I hear “What do a restaurant, a dental practice and a concrete manufacturer have in common?” I would assume it was the start of a bad joke.

These three small businesses actually do have one thing in common: They received unparalleled help when opening and repurposing their businesses.

I talked to a few Alabama business owners about their industry experience and the team that helped make it happen. Read on to see what I learned, and see how your small business can benefit, too!

Who is Southern Development Council, Inc.?

Nestled in Mountain Brook off of Highway 280, Southern Development Council (SDC), Inc. is a Birmingham-based company specializing in SBA 504 Loans—a Long-term, fixed-rate financing.

So, SDC facilitates these loans and offers expert financing help to for-profit small businesses.

Since 1983, SDC has directly impacted Birmingham (and all of Alabama’s) economic development through this loan program.

How do they do it? By partnering with banks or credit unions to help small business owners create or expand their small businesses.

This way, business owners can create new jobs and continue to thrive in their communities.

BONUS: SDC doesn’t just do business in Alabama, the team impacts the Florida Panhandle and the Gulf of Mississippi, too!

To get a better grasp at the work SDC does, we met three Alabama-based small business owners.

Spring Street Station revamped a historic building

Spring Street Station owner was able to revitalize a historic building to house her restaurant. (Spring Street Station)

Spring Street Station sits in historic downtown Oxford and, because of the quaint and warm environment its team creates, is poised to become a cornerstone of Oxford’s revitalized downtown.

Owner Charlotte Hubbard successfully started and sustained her own small business in Oxford, and I think it’s getting by just fine.

“The most satisfying thing about sustaining my small business is giving my town a place to eat and gather in the heart of our city.

I value the opportunity to provide jobs for many of our citizens and save one of Oxford’s oldest buildings for a new purpose.”

Charlotte Hubbard, owner, Spring Street Station

Before and after of the historic Oxford depot (Spring Street Station)

Southern Development Council, alongside Southern States Bank, Opportunity Alabama and Historic Main Street Oxford, helped Charlote open her second restaurant, Spring Street Station, repurposing the historic Oxford Train Depot.

“Being a woman and sole owner of a small business is not always easy, but acquiring financing for this project was possible due to the patience and professionalism shown by the staff at SDC.”

Charlotte Hubbard, owner, Spring Street Station

The Shaddix Company, Inc. expanded its reach

The Shaddix Company is a premier manufacturing company in Cullman, primarily focusing on concrete pipes and storm shelters.

The family-owned and operated company’s service dates back to 1970, but they didn’t get where they are now by luck.

Southern Development Council worked with Peoples Bank of Alabama to purchase real estate and equipment for The Shaddix Company’s new Precast Plant.

“Working with Southern Development Council through the SBA 504 process could not have been easier. Our project came together beautifully with their help.”

The Shaddix Company

Since this, The Shaddix Company has been able to offer 10 new jobs and maintain 31 existing careers!

Jubilee Family Dentistry upgraded its dental facility

A family-owned dental practice in Daphne (Jubilee Family Dentistry)

As a small, women-owned dental practice in Daphne, Jubilee Family Dentistry utilized Southern Development Council’s SBA 504 expertise to purchase land and construct their new facility.

SDC’s financing, partnered with Community Bank of Mississippi, helped Jubilee Family Dentistry buy new furniture, fixtures and equipment for the brand-new space.

“In 2023, Dr. Telka Barberi moved her practice into a new custom-designed building equipped with the latest technology. This new facility provided sufficient space to meet the needs of her growing practice.

Southern Development Council’s guidance and expertise made the financing process easy.”

Jubilee Family Dentistry

A word to small businesses: Call Southern Development Council for your financing needs

I know Birmingham isn’t short of small businesses. If you’re one of the beloved local business owners and interested in financial assistance for your next big project, here’s what you need to work with Southern Development Council:

• Be an operating business + an organized for-profit
• Be located in the United States
• Have a tangible net worth of less than $20 million
• Have an average net income (after federal income taxes) of less than $6.5 million for the preceding two years
• Demonstrate a need for desired credit

Learn more about Southern Development Council + work with these local experts!

Sponsored by: