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WNC Business

Updated - Small Business Recovery Resources

Oct 03, 2024 10:26AM ● By Randee Brown
When a disaster occurs, businesses must take care of their employees’ needs, communicate the impact, address financial matters (e.g., insurance, disaster assistance), restore operations, and organize recovery. Below are resources to help reopen your business and make progress through long-term recovery.

Small Business Disaster Recovery Steps  in North Carolina 

1. Assess and Document Damage: After a disaster, the first step is to assess the extent of the damage to your property, equipment, inventory, and other business assets. Document everything thoroughly with photos, videos, and detailed notes to have a clear record.   This is crucial for reporting the incident to insurance providers and other agencies, ensuring you capture the full scope of the loss.

2. Contact Insurance Carrier: Once the damage is documented, notify your insurance provider immediately to begin the claims process. Provide them with the documentation of the damage and work closely to understand the timeline and requirements for receiving compensation. Be proactive in following up and ensuring all paperwork is correctly filed to expedite the claim.

3. Contact FEMA: If the disaster qualifies for federal assistance, contact the Federal Emergency Management Agency. FEMA offers resources, grants, and low-interest loans to help businesses recover from federally declared disasters. Register as soon as possible to receive assistance and stay informed about any additional support FEMA may offer during recovery. 
1-800-621-FEMA 
DisasterAssistance.gov

4. Contact SBA: The US Small Business Administration provides disaster recovery loans to businesses affected by disasters. These loans can help cover the costs of repairs, rebuilding, and operational recovery. Reach out to the SBA for guidance on the loan application process and gather the necessary documentation to apply for financial assistance. Often, FEMA and SBA will work with local agencies to provide support the Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) and Business Recovery Centers. 
1-800-659-2956
SBA.gov/Funding-Programs/Disaster-Assistance/Hurricane-Helene

5. Contact Lending Organizations for Bridge Loans or Rapid Recovery Loans:  You may be able to apply for bridge loans to provide for cash needs in the short term.  (As funders are identified, information will be provided here.)

6. Contact Suppliers: Notify your suppliers about the disaster and discuss how it might affect your orders, deliveries, and supply chain. Collaborating with suppliers early helps minimize disruptions and may offer temporary adjustments to payment terms or delivery schedules, allowing your business to get back on track faster.

7. Contact Creditors: If your business has existing loans or financial obligations, inform your lenders about the disaster. Many financial institutions offer disaster relief options, such as loan deferments, payment restructuring, or temporary interest rate reductions, to help ease financial strain during recovery.

8. Get Help from the Small Business Center Network: The Small Business Center Network in North Carolina provides free counseling, resources, and support to small businesses recovering from disasters. Reach out for guidance on navigating recovery, accessing grants or loans and assistance with applications, and obtaining referrals to other necessary resources. The SBCN can also offer specialized seminars or consultations to help you rebuild your business effectively.  To schedule an appointment, go to NCSBC.net 

Top 10 Tips for Recovery

  1. Implement your disaster plan. Assess damage and consider if a backup location is needed.
  2. Shift your team and leadership from preparedness to recovery.
  3. Implement a communications strategy to ensure that the facts go directly to employees, suppliers, customers, and the media.
  4. Encourage employees to take appropriate actions and communicate.
  5. Document damage, file insurance claims, and track recovery.
  6. Cultivate partnerships in the community with businesses, government, and nonprofits.
  7. Provide employee support and assistance.
  8. Connect with chambers of commerce, economic development, and other community support organizations.
  9. Document lessons learned and update your plan.
  10. Contact the Disaster Help Desk for support at 1-888-MY-BIZ-HELP (1-888-692-4943).

Checklists and Additional Tips

Recovery Resources

Resources for Farms and Arts Organizations

North Carolina Cooperative Extension's Henderson County Center

Immediate Disaster Need for Farm Businesses 2024

How to Manage Your NEA Award Handbook—information on submitting change request for NEA awards

FEMA Fact Sheet on Arts and Culture 

Craft Emergency Relief Fund (CERF+)

National Coalition for Arts Preparedness and Response

MusiCares 

To those impacted, please fill out one of the following Rapid Damage Assessment Forms:  

Cultural Institutions  

Arts Organizations  

Individual Artists and Performing Groups  

Cultural institutions, arts organizations, and artists and performing groups can call the National Heritage Responders hotline: 202.661.8068. The National Heritage Responders, a team of trained conservators and collections care professionals administered by the Foundation for Advancement in Conservation, are available 24/7 to provide advice and guidance.

Members of the public and individual artists who have questions about saving family heirlooms and personal collections can email the National Heritage Responders at [email protected].  

HENTF’s Save Your Family Treasures guidance is available at HERE. You can find the downloadable FEMA fact sheets “After the Flood: Advice for Salvaging Damaged Family Treasures” and “Salvaging Water-Damaged Family Valuables and Heirlooms,” available in multiple languages.

Resources for Restaurant and Hospitality Businesses

The Restaurant Disaster Relief Fund offers grants to support.

Do your employees need help? The NCRLA Hospitality Workers Relief Fund and Southern Smoke Foundation both offer assistance with expenses and bills for displaced workers.

The North Carolina Restaurant and Lodging Association is committed to supporting relief and recovery and to supporting the needs of impacted restaurants, hotels, and their employees. 

Historic Preservation

The State Historic Preservation Office has put together a Disaster Preparedness and Response webpage that contains resources for historic properties following a natural disaster.

Below is a list of categories for available recovery resources:

  • Immediate Needs, Emergency Response & Recovery
  • Recovery Guidance
  • Financial Assistance / Funding / Taxes
  • Recovery Resources
  • IT Disaster Recovery
  • Mental Health
  • Individual, Families, Employees and Community Recovery

Immediate Needs, Emergency Response, & Recovery

  • Google Person Finder – This app helps people connect with family and employees after a disaster.
  • Safe and Well  - Register or search the Red Cross’ Safe and Well listing here.
  • Google Public Alerts – This service allows you to go online to search for the latest information during an emergency, and will disseminate relevant emergency alerts to you when/where you need them.
  • Disaster Help Desk for Business – Provides assistance to businesses struck by disasters across the country. Dial 1-888-MY-BIZ-HELP or 1-888-692-4943 to get help navigating the disaster assistance realm.
  • FEMA Text Messages is a service that allows you to use your cell phone’s text messaging capability to receive text updates from FEMA (standard message and data rates apply).To sign up for monthly preparedness tips: text PREPARE to 43362 (4FEMA).
  • The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) offers low-interest loans and other resources to assist small businesses post disaster. 
  • The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) – Provides updates on current disaster events
  • Ready.gov/business (FEMA) – Has many business-focused tips and resources on what to do during different types of disasters.

Recovery Guidance

Federal Financial Assistance / Funding / Taxes

Mental Health

This is a topic no one wants to discuss; yet it is critical to recovery. There are resources to help minor to severe trauma by allowing people to express their experiences. By ignoring the problem, it may only get worse, and your business may lose key people at critical recovery times. It is better to address issues or needs up front and allow staff to debrief.

  • Disaster Distress Helpline - To reach out for free 24/7 counseling or support, contact the Disaster Distress Helpline at 1-800-985-5990 or text “TalkWithUs’ to 66746. TTY for Deaf/Hearing Impaired: 1-800-846-8517. To see the Red Cross page for this resource click here.
  • American Psychological Association – Works with the Red Cross on crisis counseling.

Individual, Families, Employees and Community Recovery

“Keep detailed records of business activity and the extra expenses of keeping your business operating in a temporary location during the interruption period. If you are forced to close down, include expenses that continue during the time that the business is closed, such as advertising and the cost of utilities” -- The Insurance Information Institute

Insurance Help

Residents should begin the process of filing insurance claims as soon as possible. Make sure to document all damage with photos and detailed descriptions. Contact your insurance provider for specific steps to follow in your claims process. 

Employee Assistance

  • If you don’t have an Employee Assistance Program, consider starting one.  An EAP will help your business and your employees cope with the aftermath of a disaster.
  • An EAP can further aid employees who have experienced trauma from a disaster and any associated losses. This includes helping executives and other company leadership who may have a difficult time focusing during recovery.
  • After a disaster employees may experience increased fear, grief, stress, sadness, and anxiety, often continuing for weeks or months. Point employees to your EAP or crisis counselors for assistance. Address all employees by holding a disaster debrief to discuss what happened and what resources are available to them.
  • To alleviate stress and minimize confusion, your leadership should communicate with employees about how the company is addressing recovery and what resources exist for employees.
  • Continue to update employees on the business’ ongoing recovery.
  • Consider ways that your company can help employees’ and their families access medical care, food, housing, and other essentials.                                                                                       
  • Those hit hardest may not have working phones or the ability to call area resources to find new housing, childcare, animal care facilities, a rental car, or other services necessary to restoring their daily lives. Find or connect employees to needed resources, then share with other employees, customers, and the public.
  • Use the human resources (HR) department’s employee hotline, or create one, to take calls regarding employees’ disaster needs. Make sure to keep needs confidential.
  • Un-impacted employees are often willing to help fellow employees with caring for pets, carpooling, housing a family, loaning lost equipment like computers or cell phones, and organizing fundraisers to replace lost items.
  • Disaster Distress Helpline —To reach out for free 24/7 counseling or support, contact the Disaster Distress Helpline at 1-800-985-5990 or text “TalkWithUs’ to 66746. TTY for Deaf/Hearing Impaired:  1-800-846-8517. Visit http://rdcrss.org/1hsTafJ.
  • A Manager’s Handbook: Handling Traumatic Events – Discusses Employee Assistance Programs following disaster.  
  • IRS: Help During Disasters – Comprehensive list of resources for employers or employees facing the effects of disaster.

Documentation and Administrative Recovery

  • Use photos and videos to document damage to property, inventory, equipment, and other losses. Document all repairs (e.g., boarding up broken windows, holes in a roof). Document the repair and restoration process until normal operation is resumed.
  • Make a list of damaged or lost items and, if possible, include date of purchase, value, and receipts.
  • Document all extra expenses you incur in the process of resuming operations, including renting equipment (until yours is repaired or replaced), temporarily leasing another location, marketing, and moving expenses.
  • File a claim with your insurance company as soon as possible, if needed.
  • Ask your insurance agent to review your business to determine what needs to be covered (e.g., loss of net income, operating expenses that need to be paid while closed, or extra expenses incurred afterward) so that you can begin addressing how you will cover it. “How” includes insurance policies, loans, and credit.
  • Keep all important documents in one place, backed up, and stored off-site where they are accessible. This will save precious time. Add security (e.g., encrypting) to protect key financial data, bank accounts, etc.
  • Copies of documents or information you should have available may vary depending on the type of business, but can include: insurance policies, leases, recent income tax forms, historical sales records, inventory, employees’ computer equipment and software inventory, contracts especially Service-Level Agreements (SLA). You may need to produce copies of some of these documents as part of the recovery. Make sure you do not lose your only hard copies in the process.
  • Disaster Relief for Individuals and Small Businesses – Created after Hurricane Sandy, it provides five steps on how to apply for federal assistance.

Connect with Local Chambers of Commerce

  • Your local chamber is a great resource and conduit during a recovery process. Because chambers speak for busiesses, they can advocate for additional outside resources that the community might need. Chambers channel resources and funds that can be of great assistance to impacted businesses. They need to hear about your business’s needs.
  • Many chambers have relationships or share space with Small Business Development Centers (SBDC). SBDCs offer free business counseling including guidance after disasters.
  • The Disaster Help Desk is a resource available to your business. If this is the first time you are thinking about disaster recovery, reach out for help to ask the questions of what you need to think about, do first, who to call, things to consider, etc. Contact the Disaster Help Desk at 1-888-MY BIZ HELP (1-888-692-4943).
  • Local chambers have connections within the local community, in the region, and across the country. These connections can be especially useful in providing help after a disaster.

“Monitor progress on your program and find ways to improve it. Reinforce employees’ participation in, and responsibility for, the overall recovery effort.” -- The Hartford

Celebrate Milestones

  • The business recovery process is immense, stressful, and labor intensive. When people are already busy and potentially burdened by recovery efforts, celebrating milestones may seem frivolous. But do not overlook the need to address  employees’ mental health and to remind them that their hard work has purpose, progress is being made, and light exists at the end of the tunnel.
  • By reopening your doors, it can encourage other businesses and organizations to recover faster, thereby helping the community as a whole.
  • Recovery requires interconnectivity between public, private, non-profit, faith-based, and community organizations at all levels. Celebrate and promote recovery events that provide assistance to individuals, families, businesses, and other organizations in a “together we recover” type of approach. It is a great opportunity to keep the focus on recovery over the longer-term, bring resources to those who need it, and put your businesses in a position of information-sharing that will be remembered by your employees and the community for years.
  • Celebrate your reopening and highlight your goods and services as an opportunity to market to potential new customers, especially those waiting on other businesses to reopen. Once you have these new customers, they will likely stay.
  • Recovering from a disaster is hard work. Praise, recognize, and reward efforts throughout all levels of the business.
  • Handling the recovery well and acknowledging employees’ roles increase company loyalty.
  • Highlighting the re-openings of hospitals, schools, iconic community locations like restaurants considered “institutions”, civic spots, memorials, businesses or areas that have prevailed in spite of adverse odds, are all opportunities to tell the story of the community working together and building back better and stronger. This is a way to bring visitors into a recovering community.
  • Your human resources department is typically the one that recognizes milestones within the company and can play an important role in recovery by being attentive to the needs of employees by celebrating recovery milestones. The events may be organized in a fun and inviting way and can incorporate employees with non-essential recovery roles so they can participate in the restoration of the business.
  • Recognize that there may be employees who are still experiencing difficulties, a personal loss, or need help. You can use milestones to also highlight whichever areas still need assistance.
“Also, as the recovery continues, remember that many staff are either displaced themselves or are sharing their space with the staff who are displaced, making working conditions far less than ideal. Stress levels will be unusually high; therefore, setting a positive tone, recognizing staff accomplishments, and celebrating milestones are more important than ever.” -- Comprehensive Guide to Emergency Preparedness and Disaster Recovery

Source: US Chamber of Commerce Foundation

Disaster Unemployment Assistance

In response to the recent federal disaster declaration, Disaster Unemployment Assistance is available for 25 counties in Western North Carolina, including Buncombe, Haywood, Henderson, Madison, McDowell, and Yancey. People in these counties have 60 days from October 1 to file an application for Disaster Unemployment Assistance. Click here to apply. The deadline to apply is December 2. 

DUA homepage
DUA Hotlines: English/919-629-3857 | Spanish/919-276-5698
Hurricane Helene DUA Page 
How to File a Disaster-Related Claim (brochure)
DUA Flyer
FAQs

Fire Watch Requirements for Buildings

A fire watch is required for buildings with non-operational sprinkler systems due to water outages or with non-operational alarm systems.

If the building has an active sprinkler (where water has been restored) and fire alarm system, then a fire watch is not required.

If the building has a sprinkler system that is non-operational and a working fire alarm WITH smoke detection, then AFD is asking owners to do fire watch in any area that does not have smoke detection in it (such as trash rooms, electrical rooms etc)

If the building has a sprinkler system and fire alarm system and/or no monitoring due to phone/ cellular service being down, then a fire watch of the entire building is required.


The Importance of Local Contractors

In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, local contractors are invaluable for several reasons:

1. Local Expertise

Local & licensed contractors understand the specific building codes and environmental challenges in Western North Carolina. Their familiarity with the area ensures that repairs are compliant with regulations and suitable for the local needs of the people in these communities. You’ll want to choose someone who is trusted within the local community.

2. Rapid Response and Availability

Local contractors can mobilize quickly to assist homeowners in need of restoration and repairs. Their established presence in the community allows them to respond more efficiently than contractors from outside the area.

3. Supporting the Local Economy

Hiring local contractors helps boost the local economy during recovery. It keeps funds within the community and helps create jobs for residents who may have lost work due to the storm. You also want to make sure you’re hiring a local remodeler who is involved with their local community.

4. Quality and Accountability

Local contractors rely on their reputation within the community. They are likely to prioritize quality workmanship and customer satisfaction, knowing that word-of-mouth referrals are crucial for their business. Make sure to select a remodeler / contractor that truly cares about quality, excellence, and client satisfaction. Choose a remodeling team that you feel you can trust, and who have proven to step up for their local community.

5. Building Long-Term Relationships

Engaging with local contractors fosters ongoing relationships that can benefit homeowners in the future. These contractors can provide ongoing maintenance and emergency services, making them a valuable resource long after the storm has passed. You’ll also want to make sure you choose a remodeler / contractor who has five-star reviews for their remodeling and renovation projects. This shows their quality of work is in-place, and proves that they care about their clients. Choose a team that cares about their community.


*In WNC*

Shop WNC Gift Guide

People from all over want to help us, and this is a win-win. They can do their shopping, and our local businesses get much-needed support. It will be distributed publicly online in a published web page once completed.
To be included, the business must meet these criteria:
  • Locally-owned and independent (in WNC)
  • Offers products, services and/or gift certificates that can be purchased online (or by email)
To be included, fill out this form.

High Country Business Resilience Disaster Grant

The Boone Area Chamber of Commerce Foundation, our 501c3 non-profit, has established the High Country Business Resilience Disaster Grant to help small businesses in Watauga, Ashe, and Avery County recover from the crippling impacts of Hurricane Helene. These emergency grants, not loans, will provide necessary aid to the very businesses that have provided for our communities for generations. Grant applicants do not need to be members of the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce to receive funding.
 
Now is the time to unite behind these resilient High Country businesses and the individuals they support. Many of these locations have been anchored in our memories for generations, and they are among the first places we walk toward when given the chance. Your donation – large or small – will aid these businesses at their most critical time and ensure their stories will remain a part of the community we love.


The Boone Area Chamber of Commerce Foundation has created an easy application process to help get these resources into the community as quickly as possible. Eligible businesses must be located in Watauga, Ashe, or Avery Counties, and seek aid related directly to the impacts of Hurricane Helene. 
 

Western Women's Business Center - Small Business Disaster Recovery & Resiliency Kit

This kit from Western Women's Business Center is designed to help small businesses navigate the challenges of disaster recovery and build resilience for the future. Packed with essential resources, guides, and tools, it offers the support needed to rebuild stronger after events like Hurricane Helene.

Disaster Assistance Business Counseling

The Small Business Center is OPEN and ready to support small business owners in Henderson and Transylvania Counties. They can help your business with: 
  • SBA Loan Applications
  • Evaluating Business Damage
  • Navigating Next Steps
  • Disaster Loans and Grant Support
  • Navigating Insurance claims for business losses
  • Financial Planning, Cash Flow Projections
  • Creating a Disaster Recovery Plan
Click here to register for business counseling.

Transylvania Tomorrow Small Business Emergency Relief Fund

In response to the catastrophic impacts of Hurricane Helene, Transylvania Business Support Task Force has relaunched Transylvania Tomorrow Small Business Emergency Relief Fund to support the small business community in Transylvania County. Transylvania Tomorrow is a disaster relief fund that focuses on supporting small businesses in Transylvania County during times of emergency. Any small business in Transylvania County is eligible to apply for funding.  

AshevilleRelief.com

A dynamic crowdsourced list of relief resources available in the Asheville area can be found at AshevilleRelief.com.

Local relief groups include:

FEMA Assistance Available to WNC

FEMA support is available for Hurricane Helene survivors in Western North Carolina.

 Homeowners and renters can apply from: 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, and the Qualla Boundary/Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. 

Apply online here, use the FEMA App or call 800-621-3362 from 7:00 AM to 11:00 PM daily.

SBA Business Recovery Centers

In partnership with the US Small Business Administration, the Chamber established a Business Recovery Center to support local businesses affected by Hurricane Helene. The center, located at their Visitor Center and the Appalachian Enterprise Center in Boone are now open and providing in-person assistance for SBA disaster loan applications, helping business owners navigate the recovery process and access vital financial resources.. Walk-ins are accepted, but you can schedule an appointment in advance. 

Carolina Small Business Development Fund

CSBDF will provide small businesses with financial and technical assistance as they begin on their road to recovery from this devastating storm. They will also be ready to inform of stakeholders of the policy implications of supporting small businesses and organizations that help small businesses at times like these.

For more information, visit CarolinaSmallBusiness.org.

Mountain BizWorks

Mountain BizWorks wants to help the small business community find what you need to navigate your small business through this unprecedented time.

Beginning Wednesday, October 2, Mountain BizWorks Asheville office will be available for drop-in Wi-Fi use by clients and partners Monday – Thursday from 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM. Please note there is currently no water in the building and no restroom access for guests.

Updates and additional resources will be added to their website as information becomes available. Visit MountainBizWorks.org/Hurricane-Helene-Resources-Help-Center to learn more.

WNC Strong: Helene Business Recovery Fund

The WNC Strong: Helene Business Recovery Fund was created to provide rapid recovery loans to small businesses suffering economic losses related to the impacts of Tropical Storm Helene. The fund is administered by Mountain BizWorks and made possible with support from The Golden LEAF Foundation, and an expanding list of other partners.

The WNC Strong: Helene Business Recovery Fund helps small businesses close the gap between when the disaster strikes and when federal loans, insurance payouts, and other disaster relief funds are approved, or businesses have time to recover and get back to business.

Learn more and apply at MountainBizWorks.org/Helene/Fund

Small Business Technology and Development Center

The Small Business Technology and Development Center is working with businesses, offering disaster assistance alongside the SBA disaster team at the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce. The SBTDC team is providing free specialized technical assistance and free in-depth business counseling throughout the region while assessing damages and offering vital disaster assistance and business advice.

Learn more at SBTDC.org/Hurricane-Helene/Steps-To-Business-Recovery.

Dogwood Health Trust 

In this initial relief funding, Dogwood is prioritizing support for local organizations that will help local people and organizations now and in the days to come. Staff members are also actively working with local, regional, and national partners to attract additional capital to the region and joining partners to advocate for state and federal appropriations.
 
Dogwood’s initial support is organized in three areas: (1) supporting organizations that can quickly deploy resources and respond to urgent needs of people and geographic areas most affected; (2) supporting assessment, navigation and legal services associated with FEMA response; and (3) maintaining critical health services across the region.

Learn more at DHT.org.
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