September 27, 2026 marks two years since Hurricane Helene brought widespread devastation to Western North Carolina. Flooding swept through our streets, destroyed homes, and cut off roads, power, and water. It took the lives of more than 100 of our neighbors. Despite the grief and overwhelming period following, small businesses across Western North Carolina generously showed up for our community. They jumped in to feed neighbors, distribute vital supplies, and so much more.
“It
‘s been a two year recovery journey and although very difficult to deal with at first, it’s also been a blessing in some aspects… We built back stronger with improvements.”
Jeanne Caldwell
Gentry Hardware, Hot Springs
Since then, our region has shown the world what resilience looks like. Mountain BizWorks has been part of this entrepreneurial community for more than 35 years, giving us a front-row seat to the drive and ingenuity of local business owners. Our mission — building a vibrant, inclusive entrepreneurial community in WNC — took on new urgency after the storm, and we’ve been honored to be part of that work ever since.
To understand where the region’s entrepreneurial landscape stands today, Mountain BizWorks’ 2026 Local Business Impact Survey compiled data from more than 700 small business owners about their recovery.
Reopened, But Not Recovered
The good news: most businesses in the region have reopened. Yet, reopening and recovering aren’t the same thing. Three out of four small businesses are still working to regain their financial footing. Nearly half are operating below 80% of their pre-storm revenue.
Taylor Trabold
DT’s Blue Ridge Java, Spruce Pine
And, while many businesses have moved past the physical damage Helene caused, they’re now facing additional hurdles. Many cited reasons beyond the storm as greater threats to recovery, including reduced tourism, higher costs for supplies, and broader economic uncertainty.
Still, most business owners remain optimistic that they can fully recover. But nearly 70% say they’ll likely need additional capital to get there. The emergency relief that carried businesses through the first year — the WNC Strong: Helene Business Recovery Fund, SBA disaster loans, philanthropic grants — is now closed or depleted. That money was earmarked for immediate survival and never meant to carry businesses through the full timeline back to thriving. For business owners who missed application deadlines or didn’t qualify under those now-closed programs, there’s currently no alternative. This uneven recovery story is why Mountain BizWorks continues to advocate for our small business community now.
Where Support for Small Business Recovery Stands
In late 2025, we launched Recover Forward with the support of dedicated partner organizations. This program provides scholarships for accessible courses and coaching to both Helene-impacted businesses and new businesses alike. Every business in the region feels the effects of the storm in some way, even now, whether or not they were here when it hit.
One encouraging marker is North Carolina’s small business community growth. The state saw its second-highest month for new business startups on record in 2025. Last year, Secretary of State Elaine Marshall shared with WFAE, “Since Hurricane Helene, start-ups in the western part of the state have outpaced the other 70 counties.”
There has been a relief movement at the state level, too. In June, Governor Josh Stein put forward a new request to the federal government for more than $10 billion in additional Helene recovery funding. That funding would help rebuild the homes of our workforce, repair damaged infrastructure across our communities, and further support economic restoration. These investments would strengthen our towns and reaffirm that this region is open for business.
Then, August 11, 2026, the NC General Assembly’s work led to an extension of the 1% low-rate window on WNC Strong: Helene Business Recovery Fund loans by another six months. While this doesn’t spread out the overall loan repayment timeline, it does offer a few more months of breathing room for those who need it.
The most recent GROW NC Western North Carolina Economic Recovery Plan, released September 2026, names access to capital as the number one problem facing small businesses in recovery. The report also outlines a proposed $60 million fund to help small businesses access commercial space they can actually afford, a need Mountain BizWorks has heard directly from business owners. Just like in the initial days following the storm, recovery is work no single organization can do alone.
Today, regional businesses don’t neatly fit into “recovered” or “still struggling.” Both are true for Western North Carolina at this two year milestone. Today, we know local entrepreneurs are still doing what they do best: creating opportunities, driving our economy, and making WNC a great place to live and visit. And though the immediate emergency has passed, those same business owners need additional resources and support.
“Our community is still here, and we need people to keep showing up for it. Every visit, every purchase, and every customer who chooses to support a local business makes a real difference as we continue to recover.”
Taylor Trabold
DT’s Blue Ridge Java, Spruce Pine
