RALEIGH, NC – More grant money is now available to help small businesses in western North Carolina recover from the damage left by Hurricane Helene.
Gov. Josh Stein announced Wednesday that the Duke Endowment has committed $5 million to the Western North Carolina Initiative grant program.
Since its initial announcement on January 31, the WNCSBI grant program has already seen nearly 900 applicants—a number that is increasing daily.
“I am grateful that the Duke Endowment has joined our private-public partnership to ensure that small businesses in western North Carolina can get on the road to recovery,” said Governor Josh Stein. “This program is making a difference for the economy, but the need is great. I encourage more North Carolina philanthropies to support this critical work.”
“Small businesses are essential to the social and economic fabric of Western North Carolina,” said Duke Endowment president Rhett Mabry. “As communities work to recover from the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene, The Duke Endowment remains steadfast in its commitment to support rebuilding efforts, such as this, ensuring small businesses have the resources they need to emerge stronger than before.”
Eligibility requirements are below:
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 President Biden’s federal disaster declaration or in Dogwood Health Trust’s 18-county footprint, including: 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.
Click here to learn more or to apply.
