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Mountain BizWorks 2025 Year in Review: Celebrating the Power of Local in Western North Carolina

Throughout 2025, Western North Carolina continued the long journey of recovery from Hurricane Helene. The region’s small businesses met the moment with durability, creativity, and grit, and Mountain BizWorks was right there alongside them. From deploying millions in recovery capital to launching long-term programs, 2025 was a year of deepened commitment to WNC entrepreneurs. Now,…

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Asheville Recovers Together Announces $14.6M Small Business Grant Program for Helene-Impacted Businesses

Fresh disaster relief funding is on the way for the Asheville small business community. The $14.6M Asheville Recovers Together Small Business Grant Program will invest in recovery for eligible, Helene-impacted businesses to help them more fully recover and bring jobs back to the City. Applications will be accepted from June 15, 2026 at noon through…

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13 Businesses Join Mountain BizWorks’ ScaleUp WNC as Program Marks a Decade of Small Business Growth

Group photo of the 14th ScaleUp WNC Cohort, approximately 17 participants posing together in two rows in front of a projection screen displaying 'mountainbizworks.org' and 'Cohort 14.' A blue ScaleUp WNC banner is visible on the right side. Many participants are wearing name tags. The group is diverse in age and appearance, smiling at the camera in what appears to be an indoor event or classroom setting.

Mountain BizWorks is pleased to welcome 13 high-potential small businesses selected for the 14th ScaleUp WNC Cohort. The program began with a kick-off event on March 13, showcasing companies across a wide range of industries, including cleaning services, food and beverage, fiber arts, technology, landscape design, and creative sectors. Through ScaleUp, the companies will receive…

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North Carolina General Assembly Approves Longer Runway for Business Recovery

The North Carolina General Assembly (NCGA) approved more flexible relief terms for the WNC Strong: Helene Business Recovery Fund, extending the one-percent interest rate and interest-only payment window from 12 to 24 months along with other supportive modifications. The Fund, administered by Mountain BizWorks, totals over $60 million with support from the State of North…

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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…

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