HENDERSONVILLE - In the wake of Hurricane Helene, Blue Ridge Community College’s Small Business Center provides crucial support for small business owners and entrepreneurs across Western North Carolina. With extensive damage caused by flooding, mudslides, and power outages, many local businesses are struggling to recover. The SBC offers a range of services and assistance with accessing emergency funding opportunities to help businesses rebuild and stabilize during this challenging time. Services offered by Blue Ridge Community College’s Small Business Center include: - Small Business Disaster Counseling: Blue Ridge’s SBC team provides one-on-one disaster recovery counseling to help business owners identify losses, navigate the insurance claim process, and build comprehensive disaster recovery plans.
- Dislocated Business Incubator Space: For businesses unable to operate due to physical damage, the SBC offers incubator space on campus for temporary operations, pending availability and priority need.
- Marketing and Operations Pivot: We assist businesses in adjusting their marketing strategies and diversifying operations for both short- and long-term recovery efforts.
- Financial Data Recreation: For businesses that have lost vital financial records due to the storm, our team can help reconstruct essential financial data.
The Small Business Center can assist businesses in applying for emergency funding opportunities, such as: - Small Business Administration Disaster Loans: The SBC is working closely with the Small Business Administration, which has set up a Business Recovery Center on Blue Ridge’s Transylvania County Campus. The SBA is a federal agency dedicated to providing low interest loans to businesses who have experienced loss of revenue or business property damage due to a disaster declaration by the president.
- Mountain BizWorks’ WNC Strong: Helene Business Recovery Fund: These Helene Business Recovery Fund loans are designed to provide rapid relief with 1% interest for the first year and no prepayment penalties. These rapid relief loans help small business owners bridge the gap between the disaster and the approval of federal loans, insurance payouts, and other disaster relief funds.
- Transylvania Tomorrow Small Business Relief Fund: Blue Ridge’s SBC is a founding member of the Transylvania Tomorrow task force which during the recent pandemic raised $250k and funded 111 businesses. The program has been restarted and is currently fundraising. Grants are available to help cover expenses such as payroll, restoration services, utilities, and rent. Applications are open until November 4, 2024.
- LoveHendo Business Relief Fund: In collaboration with the Henderson County Chamber, Tourism Development Authority, Partnership for Economic Development, Community Foundation of Henderson County, Friends of Downtown Hendersonville, and other partners, the SBC is proud to be part of the LoveHendo initiative, raising funds for emergency business grants in Henderson County. Applications are open through Friday, Nov. 8, and can be accessed at LoveHendo.com starting Oct. 29.
Ben Smith, director of the Small Business Center at Blue Ridge Community College, emphasized the importance of acting quickly to take advantage of available resources. "Many of our local businesses have suffered immense physical and financial damage due to the hurricane,” he said. “The grants, loans, and counseling services we’re offering are designed to be lifelines, helping them get back on their feet and prepare for the long road to recovery." Business owners can contact the Blue Ridge SBC at 828-694-1658 or visit BlueRidge.edu/SBC for more information on available support and events. “Together, we can rebuild and ensure that our local businesses continue to thrive,” added Smith. Additionally, the Small Business Center Network advises small businesses in the western counties of North Carolina to use these resources: |