The U.S. Department of the Treasury has certified the South Eastern Economic Development Corp. (SEED) as a community development financial institution, a designation that gives SEED access to financial and technical assistance grants from Treasury.

“Access to CFDI funds will increase SEED’s current capital of $5 million for small business loans up to $200,000, enabling SEED to meet the increased demand for gap loans which can assist small businesses in these difficult economic times,” said Maria Gooch-Smith, SEED’s executive director.

SEED also makes loans under the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Micro Loan and SBA 504 loan programs.