When Kendrick and Abelardo Maradiaga, the father-and-son team behind A&B Commercial Construction, needed help expanding their roofing business, they turned to the University of Georgia Small Business Development Center (UGA SBDC) for expert guidance. That decision helped them secure $1.3 million in financing to purchase their first commercial property, a move that positioned their company for long-term growth.
In 2024, the Lawrenceville-based business hit a turning point. While they had seen steady growth since launching in 2019, a 48% surge in revenue from 2023 to 2024 signaled it was time to level up.
To support their growing operations, the Maradiagas began searching for a permanent warehouse that could serve as a central base for housing heavy equipment, materials and their growing team. Leasing no longer made sense. What they needed was a property they could call their own. That’s when they turned to the UGA SBDC.
With help from Maria Peck, who supports the UGA SBDC Specialty Programs Division team, the Maradiagas were able to secure the financing necessary to purchase a $1.3 million warehouse in Lawrenceville through the Georgia Cities Foundation (GCF) and the State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) loan program. The property opportunity came through a referral from Lourdes Moscoso & Associates Realtors, who connected the Maradiagas with the site that would become their company’s new home base.
Peck helped the Maradiagas navigate the complex financing process and worked closely with them to build financial projections and present their case to lenders. She also coordinated with the client’s accountant and supported them through the volumes of paperwork required by lenders and the SSBCI program.
Thanks to this collaborative effort, A&B Commercial Construction finalized the property purchase in early 2024. The new facility gives the business room to grow in both space and capabilities. With a dedicated warehouse and upgraded office space, the team can now take on larger commercial projects across Georgia.
“This achievement is a testament to their hard work, strategic growth, and the power of persistence,” said Peck. “I am incredibly proud to have played a role in helping Kendrick and Abelardo realize this major business milestone, and I look forward to seeing A&B Commercial Construction thrive in their new facility for years to come.”
What challenges/opportunities were you facing when you reached out to the UGA SBDC and the Georgia Cities Foundation (GCF)?
“I believe the challenges that we faced were that of being approved by a financial institution and navigating through the rigorous application process. Once we received our approval letter from the GCF, we looked at the opportunity as a way to support our local community and network with other professionals to help our organization succeed.”
Can you provide some background on the property investment/redevelopment project? Where is the project now?
“A&B Commercial Construction is now headquartered in the heart of Lawrenceville. We have renovated the office space to have sufficient office rooms to hire new estimators to our team. Our warehouse area has been cleaned and prepared to receive a new epoxy coat to protect and beautify the concrete floor. This will create a waterproof sealer to resist any chemical spills and hot tire marks. We are also in the process of installing a new chain link fencing to secure our roll-up door entrance area leading to our warehouse area. We are pleased with our new investment property.”
How did the UGA SBDC help with that?
“Over the past few years, A&B Commercial Construction has been searching for a permanent office. After placing offers at several locations and not being selected, we finally got an acceptance bid for our property. Thanks to the UGA SBDC we were able to secure the proper financing to expand our business. They both play a significant role in assisting with property investments and much more. GCF was able to provide and secure a low-interest loan for our purchase. The UGA SBDC offered assistance with the purchase process and financial planning and had the proper resources to close the deal.”
How would you describe your experience with UGA SBDC?
“I had a great experience in working with the UGA SBDC. We were fortunate to have Maria Peck as our small business advisor to help us through the process. We now have gained a comprehensive understanding of how to structure our property and ensure long-term profitability. Having the right guidance and access to funds makes a significant difference in turning a property investment idea into a successful reality.”
The UGA SBDC is funded through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration.
All SBDC services are provided in a nondiscriminatory way to all legal residents and citizens in the United States. Reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities will be made if requested at least two weeks in advance.
The UGA SBDC is an accredited member of America’s SBDC.
The University of Georgia
Small Business Development Center
382 East Broad Street
Athens, GA 30602-5412
P: (706) 542-2762
