Small Businesses Resources
SBA Disaster Recovery Funding
Find out how to get emergency financial aid from the government if you have been affected by a natural disaster.
Carolina Small Business Development Fund
As of 9/30/2024: The Carolina Small Business Development fund stands by ready to support those small business owners and entrepreneurial support system partners who need help, and we urge our communities to band together to help our neighbors.
Just as the Fund has done during past natural disasters and catastrophic events, it will provide small businesses with financial and technical assistance as they begin recovering from this devastating storm. The Fund will also be ready to inform stakeholders of the policy implications of supporting small businesses and organizations that help small businesses at times like these. Call the Carolina Small Business Development Fund at 919.803.1437.
North Carolina SBTDC
The North Carolina SBTDC can help businesses secure federal or state disaster loans and provided post-disaster counseling to aid businesses in their recovery,
Southern Smoke Foundation
An organization that Visit NC proudly partners with is offering emergency assistance to workers in the food and beverage industry here in North Carolina who have been affected.
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Individual and Household Program (IHP)
This program provides financial assistance to eligible homeowners and renters who suffered damage or losses due to Hurricane Helene. It can cover temporary housing, home repairs, and replacement of essential items. To apply for FEMA assistance, click the button below or call 1.800.621.3362.
Small Business Administration (SBA) Disaster Loan Program
This program offers low-interest disaster loans to businesses, homeowners, and renters affected by Hurricane Helene. Loans can be used to repair property damage, replace inventory, and cover operating expenses. To apply for an SBA disaster loan, click the button below or call 1.800.659.1755.
Apply for Assistance
North Carolina Emergency Management Agency (NCEMA) Recovery Resources
NCEMA offers a variety of resources and assistance to individuals and communities affected by disasters. This may include information on grants, loans, and other recovery programs. Visit the NCEMA website for more information and resources.
Grant Funds Available in Alexander, Burke, Caldwell, and Catawba Counties after Hurricane Helene
United Way of Catawba County
Burke United Way
Caldwell County Emergency Management
Alexander County Emergency Management
Note: The availability and specific details of these grant programs may change. It’s recommended to contact the relevant agencies directly for the most up-to-date information and to determine your eligibility.
Additional Resources
Note for funding resources: Often when requesting money as a grantee or as a borrower, a business plan is required. Resources listed at the bottom of the list for your convenience.
Grants (Grants are limited)
- NC Grants & Foundations – A one-stop resource of all local NC entities who provide funding.
- NC IDEA is a Durham based nonprofit interested in helping start-ups with funding. Two different categories of grants open for application every August and February of each year.
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- NC IDEA MICRO awards small, project-based grants in the amount of $10K to young companies looking to validate and advance their idea.
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- NC IDEA SEED offers early-stage companies the critical funding they need to scale faster. The $50K grants for innovative startups with a proven concept, even if they are not yet profitable.
Loans
Federal Loans
Small Business Administration
SBA provides money to lenders who then loan money to small businesses. Often local institutions like Community Financial Institutions (CDFIs) receive money from them
Local CDFI Loans
Much like banks, there are nonprofit lending institutions called Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) which focus on small business funding. You will want to have a business plan ready with your fixed costs along with how much money you would like to borrow.
- Carolina Small Business Development Fund – CSBDF (formerly The Support Center) – Helping communities by investing in entrepreneurs.
- Phone: 919.803.1437
- Website: https://carolinasmallbusiness.org/
- ICAP – Institute Capital (The Institute) – Provides debt and investment capital to affordable housing developers, community-based development organizations (CBDOs) and small businesses for community transformation. The goal is to revitalize and transform diverse communities through affordable housing, entrepreneurship, HBCU collaborations and community development.
- Loan Application: https://tinyurl.com/rzjfrm78
- Phone: 919.956.8889 Ext. 3320
- Website: https://theinstitutenc.org/icap/
- Self-Help Credit Union – This is both a credit union and lender, Special programs available for Veterans and childcare.
- Phone: 800.966.7353
- Website: https://self-help.org/
- Mountain BizWorks – Specializes in financing to help Western NC small businesses launch and expand, by offering non-traditional loans from $1,000 to $250,000.
- Phone: 828.253.2834 ext. 12
- Website: www.mountainbizworks.org
- Carolina Community Impact, Inc. – NEW CDFI which is backed by a consumer credit educational nonprofit, Community Loan Center of NC Triangle. Each loan will include credit counseling services.
- Phone: 919.785.0718
- Website: https://ccifund.org/
- Email: services@ccifund.org
- Business Expansion Funding Corporation – Economic Development lender providing SBA 504 Loan.
- Phone: 704.414.3000
- Website: https://www.befcor.com/
- Fort Liberty Federal Credit Union – Provides financial services to Military and Civilian members.
- Phone: 910.864.2232
- Website: https://myfortlibertyfcu.org/business-loans
- Greater Kinston Credit Union – This is both a credit union and a lender in Kinston, NC.
- Phone: 252.527.4002
- Website: https://www.greaterkcu.org/
- Latino Community Credit Union – This is both a credit union and lender servicing the Latino Community.
- Phone: 919-595-1800
- Website: https://latinoccu.org/
- M&F Bancorp, Inc – Provides personal and business banking services.
- Phone: 919.821.4611
- Website: https://www.mfbonline.com/business-loans/
- Marine Federal Credit Union (INC) – Credit Union for Marines and their families.
- Phone: 800.225.3967
- Website: https://www.marinefederalhb.org/home/loans/business
- Mechanics and Farmers Bank (M&F Bank) – The second oldest Minority-Owned bank in the US for small to medium-sized businesses.
- Phone: 919.687.7800
- Website: https://www.mfbonline.com/business-loans/
- North Carolina Comm. Dev. Initiative Capital, Inc. – Works with North Carolina communities in strategic investment, smart policy, and sector leadership.
- Phone: 919.828.5655
- Website: https://ncinitiative.org/initiative-capital/
- Piedmont Business Capital – Envisions financially strong, culturally vibrant communities where each person has access to decent jobs, homes, health care, education, healthy food, and economic opportunities for low to moderate income. This business also offers micro-loans.
- Phone: 336.256.9350
- Website: https://piedmontbusinesscapital.loanwell.com/
- Premier Federal Credit Union/SKYLA Credit Union – Business loan options based on the business.
- Phone: 704.375.0183
- Website: https://www.skylacu.com/business/business-loans
- Sequoyah Fund Inc., – Offers loans from $500 to $100,000 – Applicants/Businesses must reside in Haywood, Jackson, Macon, Swain, Graham, Clay or Cherokee Counites.
- Phone: 828.359.5004
- Website: https://sequoyahfund.org/business-loans/
- US Chamber of Commerce – Lists a number of additional funding resources
NOTE: If you are attempting to borrow money, you will need a business plan. It is important to know how much money is needed and for what purpose.
- EDPNC – Business Plan Resources
- Small Business Administration – Business Plan
- SCORE is another great resource that offers classes for the Small Business Owners – Business Plan
- NC Small Business Centers also offers a wide range of classes for the Small Business Owner – Business Plan
- Operation Hope offers help with creating business plans to make your business fundable. – Business Plan
State Resources
ReadyNC
Information and resources for North Carolina residents and visitors impacted by Hurricane Helene.
North Carolina Emergency Management
Information and resources for North Carolina residents and visitors impacted by Hurricane Helene.
County Emergency Management
Information and resources for North Carolina residents and visitors impacted by Hurricane Helene by county.
Visit NC
A travel advisory is in effect for Western North Carolina. Please avoid unnecessary travel to this area.
DriveNC
Live updates on road conditions in North Carolina.
North Carolina Department of Insurance
Information about prescriptions, insurance, filing claims, and more.
North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services
Medicaid information. Some people on ACA may now be eligible for Medicaid.
North Carolina Department of Commerce – 10/1/2024 – Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA)
DUA benefits are available for residents of the following counties: Alexander, Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba, Clay, Cleveland, Gaston, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Lincoln, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Transylvania, Watauga, Wilkes, and Yancey Counties as well as the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians of North Carolina. Additional counties may be added to the list of those eligible for DUA at a later date.
People in the above-listed counties who are unemployed as a direct result of Hurricane Helene may be eligible for unemployment benefits under the DUA program. Business owners and self-employed individuals affected by the storm may also qualify for benefits.
People in the 25 counties as well as the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians of North Carolina have 60 days from Oct. 1 to file an application for DUA. The deadline to apply is Dec. 2, 2024.
Federal Resources
FEMA Hurricane Helene
FEMA and the federal family are closely working with governments and communities to respond to Hurricane Helene. Follow directions from local officials to stay safe, as rainfall and flooding continue through multiple states.
Learn More Apply for Assistance
How to Help Survivors After a Disaster
Donate Blood
Blood donations are always needed, especially after a disaster. Find a blood donation center near you.
Resources for Artists & Arts Organizations
Arts NC
With significant support from Arts AVL, Arts NC has created a guide to Emergency Support Resources for Artists & Arts Organizations which includes Rapid Damage Assessment Forms for Cultural Institutions, Artists, and Arts Organizations from the National Coalition for Arts Preparedness and Emergency Response (NCAPER)
They encourage everyone to give to the NC Arts Disaster Relief Fund that is being run through the North Carolina Arts Foundation to provide funding and assistance directly and to artists and arts organizations affected by Hurricane Helene. When you donate enter the word “RELIEF” in the description for your gift.
Emergency Pro Bono Legal Services for Western NC Artists and Arts Organizations
Many services available.
General Information
North Carolina Disaster Relief Fund
To donate to the North Carolina Disaster Relief Fund, visit nc.gov/donate.
Donations for the fund will go to nonprofits working to meet the immediate needs of people needing food and water, cleaning supplies and other emergency supplies.
“There is a massive effort underway to get help to the people of Western North Carolina including state and federal relief, but we know there will be additional needs,” Governor Roy Cooper said. “If you’re able to give, please consider a donation to help North Carolinians as they clean up and recover from Helene.”
World Central Kitchen
The World Central Kitchen has set up operations in Asheville and is serving free meals to those in need. Donations to their efforts can be made here.
Some Things to Remember When Donating
Disaster officials remind you to donate through a disaster relief organization or the government if you want to donate. They publish lists of needed items.
- Only give items when they are requested.
- Only give items that are on the list of requested items.
- Do not send items directly to the affected area.
DisasterAssistance.gov provides information about finding loved ones. You can also get information on this through the Red Cross.
Seeking shelter or financial assistance after a disaster
If you need assistance following Helene, go to USA.Gov for information about financial assistance and housing following a disaster.
The Red Cross also has a list of shelters that are open and so does the website ReadyNC.gov.
The North Carolina Department of Public Safety has a website with information about emergency declarations, power outages and crisis cleanup for those affected by Helene.
Who to Call if You Need Help Locating Someone
NC 211 is an information and referral service provided by United Way of North Carolina and supported by local United Ways and public and private partners.
North Carolina leaders mentioned the service as the western part of the state deals with flooding, no water, no power, and no cell service in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene.
People trying to connect with family members can call NC 211 or 1.888.892.1162 if calling from out-of-state. People can also call those numbers to report missing loved ones.
WRAL News has begun compiling a list of people who are safe. You can view the full list here.