Mitchell County Small Business Resiliency Grant Program

The Mitchell County Small Business Resiliency Grant Program is administered by the Mitchell County Development Foundation, a local organization committed to supporting economic recovery and development within Mitchell County, North Carolina. In its ongoing mission, the Foundation has awarded three rounds of grants totaling over $1.27 million to help local businesses affected by disasters recover and rebuild. The program’s third round was made possible through a generous contribution from the Truist Foundation Western North Carolina Recovery and Resiliency Fund at the Center for Disaster Philanthropy. This grant program was specifically designed to assist small businesses in Mitchell County that sustained significant storm damage from Hurricane Helene. Eligible applicants were required to have an established brick-and-mortar presence in the county and to have been operational for at least one year prior to September 27, 2024. Qualifying businesses included sole proprietorships, partnerships, corporations, and limited liability companies. Nonprofit organizations were not eligible for this grant opportunity. Applicants were required to demonstrate financial hardship and provide documentation supporting their intent and capacity to repair damage and resume operations locally. The program emphasized a strong need-based approach, with funding decisions tied to demonstrated damage, documented financial shortfalls not covered by insurance or other grants, and the completeness of the submitted application. Each applicant was also required to submit a brief budget, their 2023 signed tax return, and a completed IRS Form W-9. The third round of applications was accepted between July 7 and July 20, 2025. All submissions were reviewed for compliance with the eligibility criteria and the quality of the responses provided. Awards ranged between $5,000 and $25,000, depending on the severity of damage, demonstrated financial need, and available program funds. No warranties were provided with the grant award, and grant recipients were responsible for all applicable taxes. The program was open to both first-time and previous applicants, including those who had received funding in earlier rounds. All grants were non-transferable, and recipients were required to comply with all applicable laws and program terms. Decisions made by the Foundation regarding eligibility and awards were final, with no option for appeal or external review. While the third round of applications is now closed, future cycles may be offered. Interested businesses are encouraged to check the Foundation's website for updates. Inquiries can be directed to [email protected].

Ensure all eligibility documentation is included; incomplete applications may be voided; only for businesses with Hurricane Helene-related damage.