Asheville Launches Always Asheville Fund to Support Local Businesses
Asheville, NC – In the wake of Hurricane Helene’s devastating impact, the city has taken a commendable step forward to help its small, independent travel and hospitality businesses. Today, Explore Asheville proudly announced the launch of the Always Asheville Fund, which will provide over $750,000 in microgrants aimed at assisting local entrepreneurs as they begin to reopen their doors.
This fund is a vital lifeline for many businesses that embody the unique spirit of Asheville and Buncombe County. Each business can receive microgrants ranging from $5,000 to $10,000, designed to help them recover quickly and sustainably. Vic Isley, the President and CEO of Explore Asheville and the Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority, emphasized the importance of these grants, saying, “Assisting our small businesses with emergency grants, not loans, will aid in part to sustain this deeply rooted, creative community that is central to the spirit of Asheville.”
Aiming to Defy the Odds
The unfortunate reality is that disasters can hit small businesses hard. According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), about 40% of small businesses do not reopen following a disaster. The Always Asheville Fund seeks to buck that trend and give local entrepreneurs a fighting chance. Isley added, “This fund aims to help buck that trend for the area’s local entrepreneurs, ensuring their stories continue to shape our community’s future.”
A Legacy of Support
Explore Asheville has a long-standing legacy that stretches back to 1983, working tirelessly to inspire economic growth and prosperity in the region for nearly forty years. Since 2001, they have committed an impressive total of $96 million in grants for more than 50 community projects. Furthermore, during the pandemic, they provided $5 million in grants to nearly 400 small travel and hospitality businesses to help them stay afloat. Remarkably, 90% of those businesses were still operational prior to Hurricane Helene.
Hope in Trying Times
Brenda Durden, Chair of the Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority, shared her thoughts on the situation, highlighting the importance of community support: “As we move through this catastrophic time for our region, it is more important than ever that we are creative and working to support our hospitality partners. The Always Asheville Fund is intended to do just that. Our mission is to provide hope for as many partners as possible through this endeavor.”
How to Apply and Get Involved
If you’re a local business hoping to benefit from this initiative, the process is straightforward. Explore Asheville will host open office hours from Monday, November 4, through Friday, November 8, from 2:30 – 4:30 p.m. at their office located at 27 College Place, Asheville, NC 28801. This will be an excellent opportunity for interested applicants to ask questions and receive technical assistance.
To apply for a microgrant, you can visit the official application page. The form is available in both English and Spanish, ensuring accessibility for all local businesses. For any inquiries during the application process, questions can be directed to alwaysashevillefund@exploreasheville.com.
A Community Coming Together
In times of need, it’s inspiring to see a community come together with proactive solutions. The Always Asheville Fund represents not just financial support but also a commitment to preserving the vibrant, local culture that makes Asheville so unique. The focus now is to help businesses bounce back stronger, ensuring they continue to be the heartbeat of the community.
As Asheville embarks on this new chapter of recovery, the collective resilience of its residents and businesses will undoubtedly play a significant role in shaping a hopeful and prosperous future. Together, they can overcome the challenges posed by Hurricane Helene and continue to thrive.
