Mountain BizWorks is pleased to announce the expansion of the Rural Rebuilding Together Grant Fund, a $2 million initiative aimed at revitalizing the downtown business districts of rural Western North Carolina communities affected by Hurricane Helene. Small businesses located in downtown areas may 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.
This program is being made possible through $1,000,000 in funding from the Community Foundation of Western North Carolina, with additional support from Mountain BizWorks, the Foundation for Appalachian Kentucky, First Citizens Bank, HomeTrust Bank, the Just Transition Fund, Park National Bank, REDF, the Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation, and countless other WNC Strong partners and supporters.
“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” says Matt Raker, Mountain BizWorks Executive Director. “The impacts of Hurricane Helene have been felt across the small towns and rural communities that make WNC a wonderful place to visit and live. Supporting small businesses in their recovery is key to revitalizing our local economies.”
The program prioritizes the recovery of small businesses that are essential to the health and vibrancy of their local downtowns. 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.
Applications for this round of funding open March 27 and close April 20, 2025, and will cover the following communities as they regain their footing as economic and social centers:
- Bakersville
- Canton
- Lake Lure
- Old Fort
- Spruce Pine
The program began as a pilot in February, working with local partners in Marshall and Hot Springs. In these two towns, Mountain BizWorks will award 41 small businesses a total of $684,355 in funding, which will help retain 86 local jobs and bring 174 more employees back into the local economies of Marshall and Hot Springs. Mountain BizWorks also partnered with the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce to deploy $400,000 in Banner Elk, Newland, West Jefferson, and Lansing, expanding awards in their existing grant program.
Grant Details and Business Recovery Needs
Since Hurricane Helene struck, businesses across these communities have faced severe financial and physical losses, including property damage, inventory loss, and economic disruptions. Many businesses are struggling to recover due to gaps in insurance coverage and limited access to other relief funding.
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
This initiative is critical to restoring the vitality of these rural downtowns, ensuring that businesses can continue serving their communities, providing jobs, retaining residents, and attracting visitors.
Eligibility and Application Process
To qualify for the program, businesses must:
- Be located within the central business district of one of the 10 eligible communities
- Have experienced physical and financial losses due to Hurricane Helene that are not fully covered by insurance or other relief programs
- Have been in operation prior to the storm
- Plan to reopen and remain open for at least six months
- Provide a detailed plan for reopening and ongoing operations
- Submit a full and complete application with required documentation
Application Timeline
- Applications Open: March 27, 2025
- Application Deadline: April 20, 2025
- Grant Awards Announced: By May 9, 2025
Businesses can find full program details and submit an application at mountainbizworks.org/rural-rebuilding-together-grant-fund.
For more information on available small business recovery resources, including loans, grants, and technical assistance, visit wncstrongtogether.org.
