Riverbird Research, the research team of the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce, has released a report from the Helene Business Impact Survey conducted this fall showing that, across WNC, many businesses are still in recovery one year later with outcomes varying across the region.

• 68% of respondents reported operating at or below break-even or being temporarily or permanently closed due to storm-related impacts.
  
  
• Only 28% reported they were operating profitably
  
  
• 84% of respondents reported revenue loss, with 35% estimating losses of $100,000 or more.
  
  
• 21% reported unresolved repairs, and outstanding damage costs totaled at least in the multi-million-dollar range, even at conservative estimates.

 
Overall, however, the survey shows that businesses appear to be moving in the right direction with 67% reporting they are not at risk of closure over the next six months. Additionally, 63% reported no change to staffing levels when asked about adjustments.
 
Support needs continued to mirror those identified in the initial survey conducted in February 2025. Roughly half of businesses indicated they still need recovery support, with financial assistance and increased customer demand cited most frequently.
 
As recovery continues, these findings offer useful context to complement other data and information available to partners and decision-makers.