Applications are now open for the Asheville-Buncombe Rebuilding Together Grant Fund, a new program established by the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce, City of Asheville, Mountain BizWorks, and other partners. The grant program, administered by Mountain BizWorks, will provide direct awards up to $25,000 to small businesses in Buncombe County to assist with recovery from Hurricane Helene. Businesses must apply by November 27, 2024 to be considered in the first funding round. Award announcements are expected to be made by no later than Friday December 13.
The fund is launching with over $1.3 million in available funding made possible by the following partner organizations, and additional funding partners are expected to be announced soon:
- City of Asheville: $704,070
- Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce: $500,000 from numerous contributors
- Mountain BizWorks: $125,000 from numerous contributors
“The City of Asheville is proud to build upon our existing partnership with Mountain BizWorks,” said Debra Campbell, City Manager. “This grant program was developed by a collaborative effort between our Community Development Division staff and Mountain BizWorks to quickly address the significant challenges that many small businesses are facing. These grants will provide critical assistance to small businesses to hopefully expedite their recovery efforts.”
Businesses located within Buncombe County that have been impacted by Hurricane Helene may request up to $25,000 in reimbursement for storm-related costs not covered by insurance or other funding sources. The grants will support a range of costs to help rebuild and reopen such as clean-up, replacing lost inventory, temporary potable water solutions, payroll, and more.
“The unique businesses of Western North Carolina are what make this place so special. They’re also an important part of this economy,” shared Kit Cramer, President & CEO of the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce. “We’re proud to host the Mountain Strong for Business Recovery Fund and join with Mountain BizWorks’ efforts to support the Asheville-Buncombe Rebuilding Together Grant Fund for emergency small business grants.”
Businesses are encouraged to apply if they:
- Are for-profit businesses physically located within Buncombe County
- Have fewer than 200 full-time employees
- Have uninsured losses due to Hurricane Helene, as documented by insurance claim results or other verification (only uncompensated disaster losses are eligible)
- Are currently operating, or have a plan to reopen
Priority will be given to the most impacted areas and companies, and will prioritize locally-owned small businesses, including those that may have barriers accessing other programs. There is no annual revenue eligibility limit for this program.
“Small businesses are the heartbeat of our local economy, and we know that so many are facing devastating impacts from Hurricane Helene,” stated Matt Raker, Executive Director of Mountain BizWorks. “Mountain BizWorks is honored to be a part of this community and this collaborative approach to rebuilding and recovering.”
Full program details and application guidance information are available at mountainbizworks.org/abgrants. Fund information and application is also available in Spanish.
Information on the range of small business recovery resources available including grants, loans, and guidance can be found at wncstrongtogether.org.
For those interested in supporting small business recovery, donations are being accepted into the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce’s Mountain Strong for Business Recovery Fund and through Mountain BizWorks and the regional WNC Strong initiative.
