BOONE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — More relief will soon be on the way to small businesses in Western North Carolina. North Carolina Governor Josh Stein announced another grant program for those impacted by Hurricane Helene during an appearance in Boone on Friday.
It’s good news for nearby shops and restaurants. Fred Pell showed Queen City News his gallery that saw flooding and several inches of mud when Helene hit in September.
“Raging waters, and it just carried mud and rocks and the sludge that really probably damaged more as far as property,” said Pell.
$30 million will be set aside to allow for grants up to $50,000 for those who qualify. Owners can use that money for damage repair, environmental cleanup, rent and mortgage payments, and employee retention. Businesses should be back open or prove they are planning to.
“Today’s $30 million is a positive step, but it is nowhere near enough to meet the needs of Western North Carolina small businesses,” said Stein.
$10 million will be covered by Dogwood Health Trust, a philanthropic group based in the area. The other $20 million will come from the state. Stein said that money was appropriated by the General Assembly.
“I want to thank the legislature for the investments it has made to date but we all recognize there is much more work to be done,” added Stein.
The applications to apply for grants went live on Friday and will be open through February 21.
Funds will be managed by Appalachian Community Capital. Eligible businesses can apply through the portal here. Eligibility requirements:
- Businesses with an annual revenue of up to and including $2.5 million
- Businesses in the 28 counties and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians that are covered by Pres. Biden’s federal disaster declaration or in Dogwood Health Trust’s 18-county footprint
Watch Gov. Stein’s full news conference from Friday:
