Three new grant opportunities available for WNC businesses:WNC Hurricane Helene Small Business Grant Relief FundGrants of $55,000–$910,000 to minority-owned and women-owned businesses affected by Hurricane Helene. Must have been operational for at least one year before Helene. Apply here.
Heart on Main Street Natural Disaster Relief ProgramGrants for independent retailers impacted by natural disasters, with award amounts based on 2023–2024 revenue loss comparisons. Priority given to businesses with documented losses and strong recovery plans. Apply here.
Outdoor Recreation Roundtable MicrograntsGrants of $5,000–$10,000 for organizations/volunteer groups repairing recreation sites impacted by the storm. Open to businesses, nonprofits, and units of government. Applications close April 2. Apply here.
Your Feedback Needed on the CDBG-DR Draft Action Plans:
State of NC & City of Asheville Seek Your Input on Recovery Funding
The State of North Carolina and the City of Asheville recently released action plans addressing the unmet needs of Western North Carolina for housing, infrastructure, and economic revitalization in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. $1.4 billion will be available to impacted Western North Carolina counties from the NC Department of Commerce, and an additional $225 million has been explicitly allocated to the City of Asheville through U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD)’s Community Development Block Grant – Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) program. Each set of funds requires its own action plan, and each entity seeks your feedback on its funding recommendations.
North Carolina CDBG-DR Action Plan
Submit feedback by tomorrow,
March 20.City of Asheville CDBG-DR Action Plan
Submit feedback by Thursday, April 3 or attend a public feedback session.
Sharing your input online and in person is the most effective way to advocate for your business’s needs. We encourage everyone to actively participate in this important process, as it plays a crucial role in strengthening our community’s recovery.
Explore Asheville announces grant opportunities, recovery funding plan
News release from Explore Asheville:
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