Since 2007, AEMI has been awarded $258 Million of NMTC Allocation.

What we’re about

“Fostering economic development, job creation, and neighborhood revitalization in Atlanta’s distressed neighborhoods”

Atlanta Emerging Markets, Inc. is a certified Community Development Entity that seeks to foster economic development, job creation, and neighborhood revitalization in Atlanta’s distressed neighborhoods by providing flexible financing products to high-impact businesses and real estate development projects.

We specialize in gap financing for businesses or developers with large-scale projects ($5MM-$25MM) in Census designated distressed neighborhoods. We also offer financing for small businesses, medium sized companies, and startups seeking low cost financing or venture capital. Our funding comes from private investors who provide us with low-cost funds for gap financing in exchange for tax breaks facilitated through the Federal New Markets Tax Credits program.

Background

Atlanta Emerging Markets, Inc. (AEMI) was created in 2006 by Invest Atlanta, the City’s official economic development agency, to utilize federal New Markets Tax Credits (NMTC) to attract private capital to fund neighborhood revitalization and job creation projects. Formerly known as Imagine Downtown, Inc., the company was initially created in partnership with Central Atlanta Progress to fund catalytic projects to revitalize Downtown Atlanta.

In 2011, the name was changed to Atlanta Emerging Markets, Inc. to better reflect a broader mission to bring increased investment to low-income neighborhoods throughout Atlanta. AEMI is committed to funding community development projects that are part of holistic development initiatives or promote healthy neighborhoods, as well as provide increased access to jobs and services for underserved residents.

Find out more: investatlanta.com

New Market Tax Credits

for large scale real estate projects or businesses

$5 – $25 million transactions
Gap funding from private investors
7-year loan, typically with some debt forgiveness

Atlanta Advantage Loan Fund

for medium sized companies

$1 – $3 million transactions
Senior or subordinate loans for industrial sector businesses
2–5 year loans, 4–8% interest rate

Atlanta Catalyst Fund

Suited for small businesses.

$50,000 – $100,000 transactions
Senior or subordinate loans to expand small businesses
3-7 year loans with 3-6% interest rate

Atlanta Seed Equity Initiative

Suited for start-up ventures

$5,000 to $30,000 transactions
Supports Civic Entrepreneurship
Equity investments with ownership shares

AEMI Leverage Loan Fund

$500K-$3MM loans for real estate projects and businesses citywide

Our Managment Team

Stephen McRae

President

As President of Atlanta Emerging Markets, Inc. (AEMI), Stephen oversees AEMI’s $258 million New Markets Tax Credits portfolio, directs the organization’s strategic vision, and manages innovative lending programs that create jobs and revitalize communities in Atlanta.

Previously, Stephen served as the Vice President of AEMI and the Manager of Investment Services at Invest Atlanta. In this capacity, he managed public-private partnerships to facilitate the City’s foreign investment and energy financing efforts, including the creation of an EB-5 Foreign Direct Investment program, a $500 million Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) fund, and a $8 million Westside TAD (or TIF) Atlanta Better Buildings Challenge grant program. In addition, he launched Invest Atlanta’s Opportunity Zone efforts and strategy.

Stephen holds a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from the University of Chicago, as well as a master’s degree in City and Regional Planning from the Georgia Institute of Technology.

Our Board

Atlanta Emerging Markets, Inc. is governed by a nine member Board of Directors responsible for approving all policy and investment decisions. A majority of AEMI’s Board Members are minorities, women, and Low-Income Community (LIC) representatives. All Board members are appointed by Invest Atlanta’s Board of Directors following an extensive vetting and approval process.