Helene help center
WNC Strong: Helene Disaster Relief & Business Recovery Resources
Find what you need to navigate your small business through this unprecedented time. We’re here for you to help you rebuild and keep your dreams alive.
North Carolina Small Business Recovery Assistance Guide
Contact your insurance carrier to file your claim.
If you are leasing business space, ensure that your lease owner has contacted their insurance carrier. Make a list of the damages and document the damage by taking pictures or providing before and after images.
Register with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
Once a federal disaster declaration has been made for your area, connect with FEMA and complete an online application, use the FEMA app which can be downloaded for free from your smart phone’s app store, call 1-800-621- FEMA (3362) or meeting in person at a Disaster Recovery Center.
Talk with a free, confidential business counselor.
Call 800-228-8443 or email sbadvisors@edpnc.com to get connected to a statewide network of support. You can expect no-cost support that is right-sized for your business needs. Se Habla Español.
Experienced business counselors can help you:
• Assess the financial impact of the disaster on your business
• Develop strategies for your recovery
• Reconstruct financial statements
• Evaluate options with creditors, including evaluating a business’ ability to repay a loan and make good financial decisions for recovery
• Prepare WNC Strong bridge loan and/or SBA disaster loan application(s), which often require detailed financial and tax records.
If needed, apply for a business recovery funding.
You may need a bridge loan, a longterm recovery loan, and grant funding. Talk with your business counselor to explore possibilities. Options can include:
- WNC Strong: Helene Business Recovery Fund from Mountain BizWorks – supports North Carolina small businesses and family farms as they recover. Bridge loans are available for up to $100,000. More information at: WNC Strong: Helene Business Recovery Fund
- U.S. Small Business Administration Disaster Loan – provides low interest disaster loans for homeowners, renters, businesses, and non-profits. There are two types of SBA disaster loans: 1) physical disaster loans of up to $2 million to cover uninsured or underinsured losses and 2) economic injury disaster loans of up to $2 million to help meet financial obligations.
More information at: sba.gov/funding-programs/disaster-assistance. Please note: SBA is accepting and reviewing disaster loan applications; however, new loan offers will be delayed due to a lapse in Congressional funding. Submitting your application is still encouraged. - Grant Funding – several targeted grant programs provide support to small businesses with amounts typically between $5,000 and $25,000. To learn more about available grants, click here.
If needed, file an Unemployment Insurance (UI) claim.
If you are not eligible for UI benefits, the business owner and/or employee may be eligible for Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA). DUA is a federal program that provides temporary payments to people in a federally declared disaster area whose employment has been lost or interrupted as a direct result of the disaster. Business owners that are self-employed, a farmer, or a commercial fisherman, who is unemployed as a direct result of the disaster may be eligible. For more information go to des.nc.gov.
Explore business opportunities and resources to find a vendor.
Options include:
• Historically Underutilized Business (HUB) – if you want to procure the services of a contractor, consider searching for certified vendors in the HUB database. The searchable database can be found here. If you want to provide services as a contractor, considering applying for certification to be included in the Historically Underutilized Business (HUB) database. Information about becoming a certified HUB vendor can be found at ncadmin.nc.gov/businesses/hub/hub-certification.
• NC Department of Transportation (DOT) Contractor – the NC DOT needs vendors that can clear debris, provide facility support services, furnish necessary supplies and much more. Visit Hurricane Response/Recovery at ncdot.gov for additional details. To search for available contracts visit NCDOT.gov and connect.ncdot.gov/Pages/default.aspx or email the Office of Civil Rights at BOWD@ncdot.gov. To be certified as a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) visit transportation.
gov/civil-rights/disadvantaged-business-enterprise/ready-apply.
Be wary of rumors and misinformation.
This is common after natural disasters and often leads people to delay real recovery plans. This is common after natural disasters and often leads people to delay real recovery plans. Help keep yourself and your community safe by being aware of rumors and scams, and sharing official information from trusted sources. A list of common rumors about NC’s response to Hurricane Helene is available at ncdps.gov, and a searchable rumor database is available at FEMA.gov.
Business Related Disaster Resources
The Small Business Administration (SBA) is providing disaster assistance for homeowners, renters, nonprofits, and businesses of all sizes affected by Hurricane Helene.
For more details on the program see this webpage to learn more about the specific terms and eligibility for SBA loans.
Employees and self-employed individuals who are unable to work due to the disaster may be eligible for DUA even if they are not eligible for regular unemployment insurance. Apply at: des.nc.gov/dua
Find the SBTDC Helene resources here
Once you’re safe and able to communicate with the outside world, here are four things that businesses should do to alert key individuals and help position themselves for US Small Business Administration (SBA) disaster loans and other funding:
- Take photos of the damage and keep a journal. During this hectic and stressful time, it’s important to keep a record of your activities and contacts so you can recall them down the road.
- Contact your insurance company to file your claim.
- Contact your lender(s). Let them know about your current situation and request interest only payments on any outstanding loans.
- Gather your financial statements and other key business information. You will need these to document your business and apply for SBA disaster loans.
The EDPNC has compiled a list of available resources for impacted families and businesses.
Additional Programs
FEMA may be able to help with serious needs, displacement, temporary lodging, basic home repair costs, personal property loss or other disaster-caused needs.
View the FEMA Recovery Guide from the City of Asheville.
There are several ways to apply: Go online to DisasterAssistance.gov, use the FEMA App or call 800-621-3362 from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations assisting with storm recovery can apply for funding from the NC Disaster Relief Fund.
If storm damage and business disruption has you worried about paying your mortgage, there are several forms of assistance available.
Homeowners with conventional mortgages should contact their loan servicer as soon as possible to see if they are eligible for mortgage forbearance.
Homeowners with FHA loans may be eligible for a foreclosure moratorium and forbearance.
HUD offers free foreclosure prevention counseling, no matter what kind of mortgage you have.
AVLtoday has compiled a campaign guide for the many businesses facing increased need after the storm. Click to view.
ASAP is collaborating with other agricultural support agencies to build out the following resource lists. Click to view.
Mountain BizWorks has compiled a list of resources – including grants – by industry and county. We continue to update as more become available. Click to view.
Dogwood Health Trust has invested a $10 million lead grant to create the Western North Carolina Small Business Initiative (WNCSBI), led by Appalachian Community Capital (ACC). The grant program offers immediate relief grants up to $25,000 to very small businesses in Dogwood’s 18 counties that experienced physical damage from the storm and have less than $1 million in annual revenue. View information and apply.
Explore Asheville has established the Always Asheville Fund to help small independent travel and hospitality businesses throughout Asheville and Buncombe County reopen after the devastating impacts and aftermath of Hurricane Helene. Assisting our small businesses with emergency grants will aid in part to sustain this deeply rooted, creative community that we all love. Apply here.
The City of Asheville updated their Small Business Recovery Guide, a comprehensive tool to help our small businesses access critical city services, construction and repair guidelines, funding opportunities, and other essential recovery resources. Spanish version here.
This list is being continually updated. Please email any suggested additions to wncstrong@mountainbizworks.org.
Helene Impact
We're right here with you.
We know many small businesses in our region are hurting and will need support in the coming weeks and months. We’ve begun collecting resources and will be populating these here as they become available.
Please reach out if you need support, and thank you for your patience with our team.
Mountain BizWorks Asheville office at 153 South Lexington Ave. will be available for drop-in Wi-Fi use by clients and partners Monday – Thursday from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. *Please note there is currently no water in the building; no restroom access for guests.
In light of this disaster, we have made the decision to postpone all learning program classes until further notice. Our primary focus right now is to support our community through recovery and relief efforts.
We hope everyone stays safe. Our community will come together to make it through.
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