Carolina Small Business Development Fund
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 Small Business Technology Development Center
The North Carolina SBTDC can help businesses secure federal or state disaster loans and provided post-disaster counseling to aid businesses in their recovery,
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.
Mountain BizWorks
Specializes in financing to help Western NC small businesses launch and expand. The WNC Strong: Helene Business Recovery Fund is available to apply for a loan to help meet immediate needs and bridge to longer term relief resources. For more information, call 828.253.2834 ext. 12
SBA Disaster Recovery Funding
Find out how to get emergency financial aid from the government if you have been affected by a natural disaster.
Small Business Center Network
In the wake of this disaster, the SBCN stands ready to provide information and resources for small business recovery. They will work with a number of state agencies and organizations to keep the public informed and directed to critical updates.
Small Business Recovery Centers
Asheville Business Recovery Center
Asheville Chamber of Commerce
36 Montford Avenue
Asheville, NC 28801
Opening: Friday, Oct. 4, 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Hours: Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Saturday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Closed: Sunday
Boone Business Recovery Center
Appalachian Enterprise Center
130 Poplar Grove Connector
Boone, NC 28607
Opening: Friday, Oct. 4, 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Hours: Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Saturday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Closed: Sunday
Charlotte Disaster Loan Outreach Center
U.S. Small Business Administration District Office
6302 Fairview Road, Suite 300
Charlotte, NC 28210
Opening: Friday, Oct. 4, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Hours: Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Closed: Saturday and Sunday
Walk-ins are accepted, but you can schedule an appointment in advance at https://appointment.sba.gov/.
Please see our press release for details on assistance offered.
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.
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.
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
Much like banks, there are nonprofit lending institutions (CDFIs) 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.
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.
Farms and Agribusinesses
The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services has activated its hotline to connect farmers with resources that can assist with damage and other agricultural emergencies related to the storm. The toll-free number is 1-866-645-9403. A live operator will be available on the hotline between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.
Grants and Loans
We will continue to up this list as more information becomes available. Please review the Grants & Loans section for a list of lenders and disaster loan funds.
Homeowners and Renters
North Carolina homeowners and renters in 25 counties and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians who suffered uninsured damage or losses from Hurricane Helene may be eligible for FEMA disaster assistance.
Logistics Support
If you plan to move people, resources, or equipment into western North Carolina, you MUST coordinate plans and movements through the North Carolina Emergency Management-Business Emergency Operations Center (NCEM-BEOC). You can email your supply logistics or movement requests to: BEOC@ncdps.gov, make sure to begin your Subject Line with: Logistics Support.
Please include the following info:
The Manufacturing Extension Partnership Supply Chain Optimization and Intelligence Network
Through funding provided by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), an agency of the U.S. Department of Commerce, the North Carolina Manufacturing Extension Partnership (NCMEP) provides supply chain sourcing opportunities and supplier matching services at no cost to North Carolina manufacturers. This program is being administered by NC State University Industry Expansion Solutions for the NCMEP network.
NC DOT Contracting Opportunities
Many of you in the contracting community have reached out to offer help to the Western Highway Divisions as they actively respond to the devastation in WNC caused by Hurricane Helene. NC DOT created a survey to help establish a database of resources to share with the Divisions as they transition from emergency response assessment into a mode of repair and reconstruction.
Contractor Resource Survey – Divisions 11-14
Recovery Processes for Communities
As you or your partner communities consider recovery processes, International Economic Development Council’s (IEDC) has a collection of economic recovery resources for disaster-impacted communities at RestoreYourEconomy.org. A few resources of note include:
Supply Chain Support
Is your business experiencing supply chain disruptions due to the impact of Helene?
Find the Manufacturer or Supplier your business needs at ManufacturedNC:
Temporary Business Space
Any company needing emergency or long-term space, including offices, labs, human shelters, and light manufacturing space, is available at 5450 Millstream Road in McLeansville, NC. The space is mostly furnished, with an open-plan space. Contact your Existing Industry Manager for more information. If you are in an unaffected area and have temporary space you would like us to be aware of, please get in touch with your Existing Industry Manager.
Emergency Update Links
General Updates: ReadyNC.gov or NCDPS.gov
Power Outage Maps: https://bremco.maps.sienatech.com or https://poweroutage.us
Live Traffic Updates: DriveNC.gov
Flood Inundation Mapping: fiman.nc.gov
Hurricane Helene Clean Up Hotline – NC National Guard: Call 1.844.965.1386
#NC11: Residents trying to connect with family members in WNC may call NC 211 or 1.888.892.1162 or NC211.org for a wellness check
Red Cross Reunification Phone Number: 1.888.892.1162
Onstar
OnStar Crisis Mode activates during certain emergency situations to provide complimentary safety services* like Crisis Assist* and OnStar Emergency Services* for you and your loved ones.
During wildfires, tornadoes, hurricanes or other crisis situations, Onstar is standing by with emergency service, ready to help you get to safety. Just push your blue OnStar button. If you have current OnStar services and it’s an emergency, push the red Emergency button and you’ll get a priority connection to our team.
OnStar offers free Wi-Fi and other services to hurricane victims through its Crisis Assist program:
OnStar’s Command Center monitors severe weather and disaster activity across North America 24/7. OnStar Advisors are notified of crisis activity in the area and can provide guidance.
OnStar has helped in the aftermath of several hurricanes, including Hurricane Harvey and Hurricane Irma.
Starlink
For those impacted by Hurricane Helene, Starlink is available in affected areas with free service for 30 days. Enter an address in the affected areas to qualify.
NC Board of Elections
Information regarding voters Affected by Helene.
NC Board of Pharmacy
Emergency refills, open pharmacies, and more. To assist patients and emergency response coordinators, Board staff are compiling a list of pharmacies in Helene-affected counties that have reported they are able to provide patient services. Any pharmacy that is open in these counties is encouraged to send in a notice. A short, fillable form requesting basic information is found here. Please save the form after completing and email to: emergency@ncbop.org. The list of responding pharmacies is found here.
County Emergency Management
Information and resources for North Carolina residents and visitors impacted by Hurricane Helene by county.
NC Department of Agriculture
Disaster Information for Farms and Agribusinesses, animal welfare.
North Carolina Department of Commerce 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.
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 Revenue
Tax relief information is now available. For more information, contact the Department of Revenue at 1.877.252.3052.
DriveNC
Live updates on road conditions in North Carolina.
North Carolina Emergency Management
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.
The NC Hospitality Worker Relief Fund
Managed by the NCRLA Foundation, the NC Hospitality Worker Relief Fund is accepting contributions. 100% of funds raised will go directly to help support restaurant and hotel employees in Western NC that are facing significant financial hardship in the aftermath of the storm. You may donate directly to the fund or consider establishing fundraising efforts in your business and remitting proceeds directly to the NC Hospitality Worker Relief Fund. To learn more, please contact Courtney Hamm at chamm@ncrla.org or 919.844.7883.
North Carolina Railroad Company
The Back-on-Track Disaster Recovery Program, is a disaster and recovery relief grant program for North Carolina communities. NCRR will provide $10 million to the new impact fund and plans to distribute financial assistance based on a needs assessment.
The Back-on-Track Disaster Recovery Program will provide funding within FEMA-designated disaster areas to Class II and Class III short lines, local rail-served industries in need of track infrastructure repair funding, and local Economic Development Organization (EDOs) in need of operations support. Funding will be allocated for infrastructure repair and/or wage support for Class II and Class III rail lines, industry support in affected areas for site recovery and operations assistance, and relief to non-profit Economic Development Organizations (EDOs) in affected regions.
ReadyNC
Information and resources for North Carolina residents and visitors impacted by Hurricane Helene.
Visit NC
A travel advisory is in effect for Western North Carolina. Please avoid unnecessary travel to this area.
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
When applying for FEMA assistance, North Carolinians may need to provide proof of identity, residence, and other documentation. Below are some steps to help you replace important documents that were lost or damaged in the storm:
International Revenue Service (IRS)
The IRS automatically gives taxpayers whose address of record is in a disaster-area locality more time to file returns and pay taxes. Taxpayers get the extra time without having to ask for it.
Currently, taxpayers in the entire states of Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina, and parts of Tennessee and Virginia, who received extensions to file their 2023 returns have until May 1, 2025, to file. Tax-year 2023 tax payments are not eligible for this extension. In addition, May 1 is also the deadline for filing 2024 returns and paying any tax due.
The NC Hospitality Worker Relief Fund
NCRLA is committed to supporting relief and recovery and to supporting the needs of restaurants, hotels, and their employees. This website is dedicated to providing information and resources to NC restaurants, hotels, suppliers, partners, and employees who have been impacted by Hurricane Helene. Additional information will be posted as it becomes available.
Managed by the NCRLA Foundation, the NC Hospitality Worker Relief Fund is accepting contributions. 100% of funds raised will go directly to help support restaurant and hotel employees in Western NC that are facing significant financial hardship in the aftermath of the storm. You may donate directly to the fund or consider establishing fundraising efforts in your business and remitting proceeds directly to the NC Hospitality Worker Relief Fund. To learn more, please contact Courtney Hamm at chamm@ncrla.org or 919.844.7883.
Restaurant Disaster Relief Fund
A partnership between DoorDash and Hello Alice, restaurants, gastropubs and bakeries with brick & mortar locations that have lost revenue from a disaster may apply for $10,000 grant awards from the Restaurant Disaster Relief Fund (RDRF) program. The program is accepting entries this round up December 2, 2024, at 6PM EST. To read complete terms and conditions of program, click here.
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.
Visit NC
A travel advisory is in effect for Western North Carolina. Please avoid unnecessary travel to this area.
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). NCAPER is hosting its first Disaster Response Call on Tuesday, October 8th at 5:00pm for arts and culture organizations and artists/creatives/culture bearers’ relief. Those who were impacted and those who wish to help are welcome.
Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/6073685871?pwd=c09UcUkvWXZ3dHl5cXV3cFhnQTRWUT09&omn=87167572556
Meeting ID: 607 368 5871
Passcode: NCAPER2022
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.
Farms and Agribusinesses
The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services has activated its hotline to connect farmers with resources that can assist with damage and other agricultural emergencies related to the storm. The toll-free number is 1-866-645-9403. A live operator will be available on the hotline between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.
Center for Environmental Farming Systems (CEFS)
The Center for Environmental Farming Systems is a partnership of North Carolina State University, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, and the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
NC Department of Agriculture
Disaster Information for Farms and Agribusinesses, animal welfare.
North Carolina Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services Agriculture Emergency Hotline: 866.645.9403
The NC Farm Help Line is available for folks in our agricultural community to talk to someone who understands farm stress. Call or text the NC Farm Help Line at 844.325.3276 for support, available 24/7.
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.
DisasterAssistance.gov provides information about finding loved ones. You can also get information on this through the Red Cross.
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.
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.