From the WNC Small Business Initiative:
Grants up to $25,000 are available to eligible small businesses located in Western North Carolina.
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.
To be eligible for a Western North Carolina Small Business Initiative grant, you must operate a small business that:
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Is a for-profit business actively registered with the North Carolina Secretary of State (or a sole proprietorship with an active DBA filing)
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Is physically located in one of the following Western North Carolina counties: Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Swain, Transylvania, or Yancey; or is located in the Qualla Boundary
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Has been in existence for at least one year
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Had less than $1,000,000 in 2023 annual gross revenue
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Has sustained physical or economic damage (not covered by insurance or other funding sources) from Hurricane Helene
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Is currently operating or plans to reopen