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USDA Business Loans in Charleston, SC

Find lenders offering usda business loans in the Charleston, including Mount Pleasant, North Charleston, Summerville, and surrounding areas. Compare rates, terms, and programs from 2 lenders.

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Lenders
2
Typical Rate
Fixed or variable, negotiated with lender
Down Payment
10% existing business, 20% new business
Term
7-30 years by use of proceeds
Closing Time
60-120 days

Which USDA lenders serve Charleston?

2 lenders offering usda business loans in the Charleston, SC area.

Live Oak Banking Company

SBA

WILMINGTON, NC

One of the nation's top SBA 7(a) lenders, specializing in lending to small businesses across healthcare, veterinary, beverage, self-storage, and other industries. Offers SBA loans, USDA loans, conventional business loans, and commercial real estate financing.

628 SBA loans
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Celtic Bank Corporation

SBA

SALT LAKE CITY, UT

Industrial bank and top SBA preferred lender headquartered in Salt Lake City. Specializes in SBA 7(a) lending for business acquisitions, partner buyouts, commercial real estate, and working capital. Also offers USDA business loans.

442 SBA loans
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What does the Charleston commercial real estate market look like?

Charleston is one of the fastest-growing CRE markets in the Southeast, propelled by Boeing's 787 Dreamliner final assembly facility, a booming port, and a tourism economy that generates over $8 billion annually. The Mount Pleasant and Daniel Island submarkets attract affluent residential and Class A office demand, while North Charleston's Intermodal Container Transfer Facility links the Port of Charleston to national rail networks, driving industrial and logistics development. The Upper Peninsula neighborhood in downtown Charleston's Neck area has emerged as a development frontier, with large-scale mixed-use and tech-oriented projects reshaping the formerly industrial corridor. The historic district's strict preservation requirements create a constrained supply environment for hospitality and retail properties, supporting premium rents.

Key Economic Drivers

  • ●Boeing South Carolina's 787 Dreamliner campus employing thousands and anchoring an aerospace supplier cluster
  • ●Port of Charleston, one of the deepest harbors on the East Coast, driving warehouse and logistics demand
  • ●Tourism industry generating over $8 billion annually and sustaining high hospitality occupancy rates
  • ●Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) and Roper St. Francis healthcare system expansions

Market Insight

The Port of Charleston's harbor deepening project to 52 feet is enabling it to handle the largest post-Panamax container vessels, positioning the metro for significant growth in port-adjacent industrial and cold storage CRE demand.

How do usda business loans work in Charleston, South Carolina?

USDA Business & Industry (B&I) loans are lender-made, government-guaranteed loans for businesses in eligible rural areas. They can cover real estate, equipment, business acquisition, and working capital, with terms tied to use of proceeds and underwriting that looks a lot like a bank loan plus USDA eligibility. In the Charleston metro area, borrowers can access 2 lenders offering USDA financing, including Mount Pleasant, North Charleston, Summerville, and surrounding areas. Loan amounts typically range from $50K to $10M with rates from Fixed or variable, negotiated with lender.

Who should consider usda business loans?

  • Rural owner-user businesses
  • Food processing and manufacturing
  • Business acquisition in eligible rural areas
  • Equipment, real estate, and working capital needs

What are the key requirements?

  • Project generally in an eligible rural area outside cities or towns above 50,000
  • Tangible balance sheet equity typically at least 10% existing / 20% new business
  • Good credit history and repayment ability
  • Collateral and lender support strong enough for a USDA guarantee

Advantages

  • ✓FY2026 guarantee up to 85% on loans under $5M
  • ✓Long terms, up to 30 years on real estate
  • ✓Can cover real estate, equipment, acquisition, and working capital
  • ✓Rates are negotiated with the lender, not set by USDA

Considerations

  • •Project must be in an eligible rural area
  • •No lines of credit or rental housing
  • •Full lender underwriting plus USDA review
  • •Smaller lender pool than SBA

USDA Business Loans in Charleston FAQ

How many USDA lenders serve Charleston, SC? ▼
There are 2 lenders offering usda business loans in the Charleston metro area. Loan amounts typically range from 50K to 10M with rates from Fixed or variable, negotiated with lender.
What are USDA loan rates in Charleston? ▼
USDA loan rates in Charleston typically range from Fixed or variable, negotiated with lender, though exact rates depend on factors like your credit score, the property's cash flow, and loan-to-value ratio. Down payments usually run 10% existing business, 20% new business, and closing can take 60-120 days. Compare multiple Charleston-area lenders to find the best terms for your deal.
What qualifies as a rural area for USDA loans? ▼
USDA generally requires the project to be outside cities or towns above 50,000 population and outside adjacent urbanized areas. The safest move is to confirm the project address on the USDA eligibility map before you spend money on third-party reports.
Can USDA Business & Industry loans be used for working capital? ▼
Yes, in many cases. USDA says B&I proceeds can cover working capital, but term limits are shorter than for real estate or equipment, and the lender still has to show the deal cash flows.
What is the USDA guarantee percentage in 2026? ▼
USDA's FY2026 notice sets the standard B&I guarantee at 85% for loans under $5 million and 80% for loans from $5 million to $25 million, with a 90% tier for qualifying isolated rural Alaska projects. Separate USDA guidance says most single-borrower requests should still think in terms of a normal $10 million limit unless an exception is approved.
How long can a USDA business loan term run? ▼
The term depends on the use of proceeds. USDA training guidance allows up to 30 years for real estate, up to 15 years or useful life for machinery and equipment, and up to 7 years for working capital.

Where else can I find usda business loans in South Carolina?

Greenville Columbia Myrtle Beach

Other loan types in Charleston

🏛️

SBA 7(a) Loans in Charleston

Rates from Prime + 1.5% to 3.75%. 10-20% down.

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SBA 504 Loans in Charleston

Rates from Below market (CDC portion ~5-6%). 10% down.

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Commercial Mortgage in Charleston

Rates from 6% - 8%. 20-30% down.

Related resources

USDA Business Loans in South Carolina

Browse all USDA lenders serving SC.

USDA Business Loans Overview

Rates, requirements, and how USDA loans work.

All South Carolina Lenders

Browse all commercial lenders serving SC.

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