All news

Mountain BizWorks Awarded $3,580,000 to Support Long-Term Small Business Recovery

A Mountain BizWorks representative shakes hands with a small business owner holding a child, symbolizing community support and long-term small business recovery.

One year post-Hurricane Helene, Mountain BizWorks is pleased to announce new investments in regional, long-term small business recovery. Gifts of $1.4 million from the North Carolina Community Foundation (NCCF) Disaster Relief Fund, and $180,000 from Appalachian Community Capital, plus a $2 million recovery loan capital from Bank of America will address ongoing small business resilience…

Read more

2025 Local Business Impact Survey: Insights from 700 Small Business Owners Around Helene Recovery

The 2025 Local Business Impact Survey found 93% of small businesses have reopened post-Helene, but needs are emerging around flexible capital, lack of commercial real estate, revenue recovery, and infrastructure restoration.  This year marks the 10th anniversary of Mountain BizWorks’ Local Business Impact Survey (LBIS). That’s 3,580 entrepreneurs making their voices heard through their daily…

Read more

20 Outdoor Businesses Join Waypoint Resilience Program Focused on Long-Term Stability

Group photo of the new members of the Waypoint Resilience Cohort standing and sitting together in a bright indoor space, smiling and wearing name tags.

Last week at a celebratory kick-off, Mountain BizWorks, along with partners Made by Mountains, the Outdoor Business Alliance of WNC and the NC Outdoor Economy Office, welcomed 20 entrepreneurs into the Waypoint Resilience Cohort. The program aims to help outdoor industry businesses rebuild from Helene, problem-solve with peers and experts, and chart a course for…

Read more

Future Forward: Build Resilience and Momentum for Your Small Business

Topographic map graphic with a red line marking a path from ‘After Hurricane Helene’ to an orange SOS point, ending at a green location marker labeled ‘Future Forward: We Are Here.’ Illustration represents the journey of small businesses rebuilding after disaster through Future Forward resilience workshops.

In a world where change is constant, resilience is the key to long-term success. That’s why Mountain BizWorks created Future Forward, a dynamic small business resilience workshop and coaching series designed for small business owners ready to strengthen their foundations and seize new opportunities. Small Business Resilience Workshops “Future Forward was born out of the…

Read more

Meet the Dreamer: Josh Copus of The Old Marshall Jail and Zadie’s Market

A self-described “creative entrepreneur,” Josh Copus hates the assumption that artists aren’t good business people. He spent years thinking that about himself, until he realized, “You’re just not a good accountant! You are a great business person!” He certainly has played to his strengths, creating his own creative small business success story. Now, learn why…

Read more