Task Force Seeking Applicants for Transylvania Tomorrow Small Business Relief Fund

For Immediate Release: October 23, 2024

Contact:
Clark Lovelace, Executive Director
Transylvania County Tourism Development Authority
[email protected]

828-884-8902

Task Force Seeking Applicants for Transylvania Tomorrow Small Business Relief Fund

The Transylvania Business Support Task Force (task force) has released an application for their relief fund and are seeking applicants with a deadline of Monday, November 4.  Applications can be found online at https://brevardnc.org/community/transylvania-tomorrow/.  Eligibility guidelines are as follows:

• Must be a registered business in good standing with regard to state and local taxes and licenses
• Must have less than 50 full-time employees
• Must have experienced a significant loss, reduction in revenue, and/or physical damage due to Hurricane Helene
• Preference is given to businesses that:
  • Are headquartered and with primary operations in Transylvania County
  • Are independently owned
  • Have been in operation for an extended time 
  • Have a brick-and-mortar location
  • Have the greatest level of need-priority of grant awards will be directed towards businesses experiencing loss/damage of buildings, inventory, other assets, employee dislocation, revenue reductions due to extended closure of access roads and/or other utilities.
• Eligible uses of funds – payroll (exclusive of owner compensation); professional restoration; recovery and remodeling services due to storm damage; utilities, rent, mortgage payments; insurance or similar expenses; products directly used in the production of a product for sale

Blue Ridge Community College Small Business Center Director, Ben Smith states, “This application release comes at a time when many businesses in our community are hurting financially. Those affected by the hurricane have incurred expenses to cover a quick response to physical damage and restoration services. Others have faced substantial revenue declines and are nearing a point of negative cash flow. This grant application serves as a rescue buoy for those businesses that need it most.”

The open application was announced at an event hosted by the task force on Monday, October 21, at Oskar Blues Brewery.  The event included representatives from each of the task force organizations, as well as the Small Business Administration and Mountain BizWorks.  The gathering served as an opportunity for business owners and operators to speak directly with knowledgeable parties about resources and other support for businesses impacted by Hurricane Helene.

The Transylvania Tomorrow Small Business Emergency Relief Fund was originally launched by the task force following the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.  $250,000 in funds were raised and distributed to 111 small businesses in Transylvania County in 2020 and 2021 before becoming dormant.  The program was relaunched in early October, and more than $75,000 has already been raised.  In addition to contributions directly to the fund, the task force organizations are covering all administrative expenses, ensuring that every dollar donated goes straight to local businesses.

“The response from donors has been incredible and fast.  We are eager to begin the process of administering grants immediately concurrent with fundraising to create an enduring program that can serve the needs of our business community for months to come.  We don’t know how long this economic recovery will last, but we want the fund to be in place and accessible,” said Burton Hodges, Executive Director of Transylvania Economic Alliance.

As funds continue to be raised, the task force plans on holding future rounds to award additional dollars.  Individuals or organizations can provide funds by cash, check, credit card, or PayPal.  To learn more or donate today, visit online at  https://brevardnc.org/community/transylvania-tomorrow/ or on Facebook at @TransylvaniaTomorrow.

The Transylvania Business Support Task Force consists of Brevard/Transylvania Chamber of Commerce, Heart of Brevard, Transylvania Economic Alliance, Transylvania County Tourism Development Authority, and the Blue Ridge Community College Small Business Center with a mission to work collaboratively to support the business community in Transylvania County, particularly in times of crisis.  The Transylvania Tomorrow Small Business Emergency Relief Fund is an initiative of the task force designed to provide funding to small businesses when it is needed most to ensure that they survive and thrive.  Transylvania Tomorrow’s funds are coordinated through the Community Focus Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. 

Yaselin Gonzalez, Senior Small Business Lender with Mountain BizWorks, answers questions about resources available to the business community in the wake of Hurricane Helene.

Ben Smith, Blue Ridge Community College Small Business Center Director, addresses a crowd of business owners and operators during an event on October 21, at Oskar Blues.