Small businesses in Western North Carolina are struggling to recover after the devastation of Hurricane Helene caused closures that lasted weeks, and in some cases, months.
Mountain BizWorks is expanding the Rural Rebuilding Together Grant Fund, which will see $2 million go towards downtown districts in rural parts of Western North Carolina affected by the storm.
The organization’s executive director, Matt Raker said this will be a key part of revitalizing local economies.
“We are deeply grateful to our partners for their unwavering commitment to driving economic recovery and fostering resilience across the rural communities of Western North Carolina”Raker said in an announcement.
The grants are open to small businesses located in the downtown areas of Bakersville, Canton, Lake Lure, Old Fort and Spruce Pine. Businesses can apply for grants of up to $25,000 “to assist with recovery efforts and ensure that these local community hubs can reopen, rebuild, and thrive,” a press release stated.
Applications for this round of funding opened March 27 and will close on April 20, 2025, according to the organization.
“By helping businesses recover, the fund ensures that rural communities retain essential services, jobs, and economic activity—all of which contribute to long-term stability and growth,”
The program began as a pilot in February, according to the organization who worked with 41 small businesses in Marshall and Hot Springs. They plan to award the businesses more than 680,000 to help retain 86 local jobs and bring 174 more employees back into the local economies.
The Rural Rebuilding Together Grant Fund provides direct financial assistance to help businesses cover:
- Structural repairs and property restoration
- Replacement of inventory and equipment
- Payroll support to retain or rehire employees
- Other storm-related expenses necessary for reopening
The deadline to apply is April 20, 2025. More details about the grant can be found here.
Mountain BizWorks is part of a larger network of organizations doling out grants and loans to small businesses after Hurricane Helene. They include:
Small Business Administration (SBA) Disaster Loans: The SBA is accepting loan applications. The agency received $2 billion in funding from Congress in late December, and new loan offers will resume. More information is available here.
Mountain BizWorks WNC Strong - Helene Business Recovery Fund: The fund provides rapid recovery loans of up to $100,000 to small businesses affected by Hurricane Helene. Applicants must meet several criteria, including at least six months of operating history and fewer than 100 employees. More information and an online application are available here.
Community Foundation of Western North Carolina Emergency and Disaster Response Fund: The fund provides grants of up to $25,000 to eligible nonprofits for frontline human services, and grants of up to $50,000 to eligible nonprofits that either sustained direct facility damage or whose work is focused on repair and remediation. Applicants must address one of CFWNC’s four focus areas: Education, cultural resources, human services and natural resources. More information is available here.
United Way North Carolina Disaster Relief Fund: Eligible nonprofits that are assisting storm-impacted communities with immediate recovery needs such as tarps, water, food and/or cleaning supplies can seek grants of up to $10,000. To apply online and for more information, click here.
Rotary Club of Asheville Disaster Grant: Applications for grants of up to $5,000 are open to organizations classified as a 501(c)(3) public charity, school or government agency. A committee will review applications on a bi-weekly basis. For more details and to apply online, click here.
National Independent Venue Foundation Emergency Relief Fund: The fund provides up to $25,000 to independent, live performance venues and promoters experiencing a critically severe emergency. Applicants may be either for-profit or nonprofit businesses and must meet certain criteria. For more details, click here.
NC Arts Disaster Relief Fund: The North Carolina Arts Foundation will provide funding and assistance to artists and arts organizations affected by Hurricane Helene. The grant process is currently under development. To sign up to receive application details as soon as they are available, click here.
WNC Tip It Forward: The fund, spearheaded by GBX Group, Asheville Independent Restaurants (AIR) and Arts AVL, provides relief grants to eligible culinary and creative workers in Western North Carolina. For more information, click here.
ArtsAVL has a comprehensive list of emergency support resources for artists and arts organizations here.
WNC Strong, a coalition of groups dedicated to supporting small business owners in the region, has a list of additional grants here and recovery guidance here.
The North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services: Disaster Crop Loss Program is open and accepting online applications through May 4 from farmers who suffered crop losses from Hurricane Helene, Tropical Storm Debby and drought and other weather-related conditions in 2024. Applications can be found here.
