Marshall -- December 9, 2024: Marshall, North Carolina, like many communities in Western North Carolina,

faces a challenging road to recovery following the devastating impact of Hurricane Helene. 

Small businesses, which form the backbone of this tight-knit town, are working hard to rebuild and restore their operations. Fortunately, local organizations and nationwide initiatives are stepping up to help these businesses and the community as a whole.

Available Resources for Small Businesses

Marshall's small businesses have access to numerous assistance programs aimed at facilitating recovery and long-term growth:

U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Disaster Assistance

The SBA offers low-interest loans for disaster recovery. These loans can be used to repair physical property damage and cover economic injury. While the application deadline for property damage assistance was December 2, 2024, businesses can still apply for economic injury loans until July 2, 2025. For more information, businesses can contact the SBA North Carolina District Office.

Mountain BizWorks

Mountain BizWorks has created the WNC Strong: Helene Business Recovery Fund, providing bridge loans to businesses needing rapid financial support. This local organization is committed to helping small businesses not only recover but thrive in the long term.

Madison County Chamber of Commerce
The Chamber offers guidance on navigating federal assistance programs, documenting damages, and filing insurance claims. It serves as a vital resource hub for affected businesses.

Grants for Minority and Women-Owned Businesses

Programs like WE ARE here and the One North Carolina Small Business Program here are providing targeted financial support to underrepresented business owners. These grants help promote diversity in the region's entrepreneurial ecosystem.
How the Community Can Help

The recovery of Marshall's businesses requires not just organizational support but also contributions from the broader community. Various fundraising efforts have been launched to aid these businesses and their employees:

Help Marshall's Small Businesses and Citizens Recover

This GoFundMe campaign raises funds to restore damaged businesses and provide essential supplies to residents in need.
Help Restore Our Beloved Marshall Community

This fundraiser focuses on supporting both businesses and residents, working alongside local churches and officials to ensure effective allocation of resources. donate here

Support Marshall's Volunteer Heroes

Funds from this campaign are used to support the volunteers actively engaged in cleanup and recovery efforts, providing them with necessary tools and compensation.

Help Support Downtown Marshall Clean Up & Recovery

This initiative funds personal protective equipment and safety gear for volunteers working to restore downtown Marshall.
Additionally, the Madison County Chamber of Commerce here has established a Donation Hub, which provides a comprehensive list of donation opportunities and information on how to contribute to the recovery effort.

Supporting these programs not only aids in the recovery of nearby companies but also fortifies Marshall's and the surrounding communities' economies. Financial or in-kind donations are essential to the rebuilding process because they allow companies to reopen, keep staff, and carry on providing services to the community.

Marshall's revival is evidence of the community's strength and the tenacity of its citizens. There are many ways to make a difference, regardless of whether you live nearby, are visiting, or wish to assist from a distance.

Visit the Madison County Chamber of Commerce's website here  or go through the aforementioned verified contribution channels for additional details on how to help Marshall with his recovery efforts. We can work together to develop and revitalize this stunning Appalachian community.

WNCTimes

Image: WNCTimes


Comments (0)
    
No ratings yet. Be the first to rate!
There are no comments posted here yet
Leave your comments
Posting as Guest
×
Rate this post:
    
Suggested Locations

News Hounds

Pinned Items
Recent Activities
  • Maciejewski just registered on the site
    Post is under moderation
    Stream item published successfully. Item will now be visible on your stream.
There are no activities here yet