A Certified Development Company (CDC) is certified by the U.S. Small Business Administration to provide 504 Loans to eligible small businesses. CDCs are staffed with professionals who work directly with the small business owner throughout the entire loan process, including packaging, closing, and servicing of the SBA 504 Loan. CDCs collaborate with the borrower and the private-sector lending institution involved in the project to tailor a financing package that meets program requirements and the credit capacity of the small business.

Each CDC has its own Board of Directors, members of which work in local government, private-sector lending institutions, and business and community organizations. The CDC Board of Directors approves the loan applications submitted for review by the CDC. There are over 200 Certified Development Companies nationwide; each CDC is authorized by SBA to operate within a specified area of operation.