If your small business was impacted by Hurricane Helene, apply now for the Western North Carolina Small Business Initiative II grant.
Applications accepted through February 21, 2025
Grants up to $50,000 (up to $25,000 for businesses with revenue $1,000,000 or less).
Small businesses can use the grants to cover expenses related to recovery and reopening in the wake of Hurricane Helene. Eligible uses include repair and replacement of physical damage, environmental cleanup, payment of business-related rents or mortgages, employee retention and hiring, and more.
Applications will be accepted until 11:59 p.m. on February 21, 2025. Applications submitted after this deadline will not be considered. Applicants that advance to the second round of evaluation will be contacted to provide additional information about their business. Subject to availability of funding, an additional round of funding may be opened.
Eligibility
You must operate a small business that is:
- registered with the North Carolina Secretary of State as a for-profit business (or a sole proprietorship with an active Doing Business As filing)
- business was formed and in operation on or before 9/7/23
- had $2.500,000 or less in 2023 annual grow revenue
- physical or economic damage (not covered by insurance or other funding sources) from Hurricane Helene
- currently operating or plans to reopen
Eligible Counties
Alexander, Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba, Cherokee, Clay, Cleveland, Gaston, Graham, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Lincoln, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Surry, Swain, Transylvania, Watauga, Wilkes, Yadkin, Yancey; or is located in the Qualla Boundary