How To Apply for the Western North Carolina Small Business Initiative II
How To Apply for the Western North Carolina Small Business Initiative II
Was your small business harmed by Hurricane Helene? The Western North Carolina Small Business Initiative II is here to help.
The initiative is partnering with local Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) to provide relief grants up to $50,000 (up to $25,000 for businesses with revenue $1,000,000 or less) to small businesses across the region that sustained physical damage from Hurricane Helene.
Secure a grant for your business
Application window for WNCSBI II is open from Jan. 31 – Feb. 21, 2025
The application window for WNCSBI I closed on November 27, 2024. If you or your business received a grant from WNCSBI I, you are not eligible for WNCSBI II.
Grants up to $50,000 (up to $25,000 for businesses with revenue $1,000,000 or less) are available to eligible small businesses located in Western North Carolina.
Small businesses can use the grants to cover expenses related to recovery and reopening in the wake of Hurricane Helene. Eligible uses include repair and replacement of physical damage, environmental cleanup, payment of business-related rents or mortgages, employee retention and hiring, and more.
Applications will be accepted until 11:59 p.m. on February 21, 2025. Applications submitted after this deadline will not be considered. Applicants that advance to the second round of evaluation will be contacted to provide additional information about their business. Subject to availability of funding, an additional round of funding may be opened.
Qualifications
To be eligible for a Western North Carolina Small Business Initiative II grant, you must operate a small business that:
Is a for-profit business actively registered with the North Carolina Secretary of State (or a sole proprietorship with an active DBA filing) Is physically located in one of the following Western North Carolina counties: 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; or is located in the Qualla Boundary.
Business was formed and in operation on or before 9/27/23
Had $2,500,000 or less in 2023 annual gross revenue.
Has sustained physical or economic damage (not covered by insurance or other funding sources) from Hurricane Helene
Is currently operating or plans to reopen.
Applicants selected to advance to the second round of evaluation will be required to submit the following documentation:
- Federal tax return (2023) or personal returns that include a Schedule C for the business
- Government-issued ID (Colored Copy)
- Voided business check
Please follow this link for additional details:https://appalachiancommunitycapitalcdfi.org/wnscb-grant/
