EMERGENCY SUPPORT RESOURCES
We’ll be updating this list as more information becomes available. Please let us know if you think anything should be added or if you have any questions or need help. Email us.
general information + resources
NC Department of Public Safety
Asheville Food & Beverage United (AVLFBU)
artists + arts organizations info + resources
Implement Legal Artists’ Disaster DIY Guide
ALL BUSINESS info + resources
Mountain Bizworks - call or stop by
153 S Lexington Ave, Asheville NC 28801 or inside the Chamber of Commerce
828-253-2834
Chamber of Commerce
On-site recovery services: SBA Disaster Assistance, Mountain Bizworks, Western Women’s Business Center, and more
Western Women’s Business Center
Small Business Disaster Recovery & Resiliency Kit
DIRECTORIES
Explore Asheville, Love Asheville From Afar
Grants
Arts AVL Emergency Relief Grant - $500 relief stipends to arts professionals working in craft, literary, media, performing, visual, and interdisciplinary arts
Center for Craft, Craft Futures Fund - $500 immediate relief to craft artists in WNC
Craft Emergency Relief Fund (CERF+) - $3,000 Emergency Relief Grants to craft artists who experienced a recent and substantially disruptive emergency or disaster
FEMA Grant Programs to Support Arts and Cultural Organizations
Chamber of Commerce, Mountain Strong Fund - finalizing details/application, sign up to know when application is released
Explore Asheville, Always Asheville Fund - finalizing details/application, sign up to know when application is released
LOANS
Mountain Bizworks, WNC Strong - Helene Business Recovery Fund - offers rapid relief loans up to $100,000 with 1% interest to small businesses impacted by Hurricane Helene
SBA Disaster Loans - may be available to homeowners, renters, and businesses of all sizes in areas covered by a disaster declaration
SPACES
Chamber of Commerce, Business Recovery Center - first come first-served temporary workspace available at no cost
Open now until Dec 30, Mon-Fri, 9 am to 5 pm. Space for up to 70 users
36 Montford Ave, Asheville, NC 28801
828-258-6101
Email us if you need a space or if you know of a place that would either liked to be added to this list or would like us to share to folks who need a studio space.
UNEMPLOYMENT + OTHER RESOURCES
State by state unemployment benefits info + how-to
Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) - provides financial assistance to individuals whose self-employment or employment has been lost or interrupted due to a major disaster
NC Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA)
Governor Roy Cooper issued an emergency Executive Order
weekly unemployment benefits will increase from a maximum of $350 a week to a maximum of $600 a week
qualify for up to 26 weeks of federal benefits, to be paid through March 29, 2025
Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP)
receive a one-time benefit to buy food
if you receive benefits through Food and Nutrition Services (FNS), you can get extra help to buy food but do not need to fill out a D-SNAP application
Deadline Oct 24 - extended to 4pm Friday, October 25
VOTING
Buncombe County Election Services
Election day is Nov 5
Early Voting is open now until Nov 2. Click here for a list of voting sites.
Absentee Voting - Deadline to request absentee ballot Tuesday, October 29 by 5pm. Click here to request your absentee ballot.
Voter ID
learn more about NC’s photo ID requirement, including a list of all acceptable IDs here
if you lost your photo ID due to Helene, you have options:
fill out a Photo ID Exception Form at your voting site or send the form back with your absentee ballot (a blank Exception Form will arrive with your absentee packet). Check the box for “Exception 3: Victim of a Natural Disaster.” Make sure to sign to the form.
Go to your county board of elections office. If you are a registered oter, they can take your photo and print an acceptable ID on the spot. Click here for more details.
Get a free ID from an NCDMV office in your area. Click here for more details.
Please stay safe and continue to take care of yourselves and each other. Let us know how we can help in any way ❤︎