Apply for the Always Asheville Fund

Explore Asheville has established the Always Asheville Fund to help small independent travel and hospitality businesses throughout Asheville and Buncombe County reopen after the devastating impacts and aftermath of Hurricane Helene. Assisting our small businesses with emergency grants will aid in part to sustain this deeply rooted, creative community that we all love.

The Always Asheville Fund will provide emergency microgrants ($5,000 to $10,000) that can be used for operational or re-opening expenses required for businesses to reopen to the public.

Eligibility

  • Business must be a small, independent business that had at least 2 employees and not more than 100 employees as of September 26, 2024. (Owners who are actively working in the business do count as employees; passive owners and independent contractors do not.) 
  • Business must have been in operation prior to July 1, 2024. 
  • Business must provide a direct in-person visitor experience. A business engaged in providing lodging, in whole or in part, is not eligible.   
  • Business must be physically located within Buncombe County. 
  • Applicant must be able to demonstrate the business was impacted by Hurricane Helene, including but not limited to business interruption, physical damage, and/or loss of equipment or inventory. 
  • Must be able to provide a clear plan to re-open quickly, along with a detailed description for the use of grant funds. 

Application Timeline

  • Application Opens: October 31, 2024 
  • Application Deadline: November 11, 2024, 5pm 
  • Award Notifications Issued: November 22, 2024 

What to Prepare Before You Apply

  • Business Tax ID/EIN
  • Most recent business tax return 
  • Your most recent full-year (2023) financial statements (P&L and Balance Sheets), if available
  • Your business’s year-to-date (2024) financial statements (P&L and Balance Sheet), if available

Ready to Apply?

Apply Now

Application Evaluation Criteria

  • Visitor Impact | (1) Level of impact in attracting visitors to Buncombe County; (2) Reliance on visitors for business revenue/customer base.
  • Re-opening Quickly and Sustainably | (1) Realistic use of funds for re-opening plan; (2) Degree to which the requested grant will be joined by and/or help leverage additional funds; and (3) Applicant’s ability to access other sources of funding  
  • Alignment with Strategic Imperatives | Business alignment with one or more of BCTDA’s four strategic imperatives 
  • Job Recovery & Retention | Ability to retain employees and/or rehire positions
  • Locally-Owned & Independent | Supports our unique and diverse local business community and will prioritize businesses that are independently-owned. 

Need Assistance?

Contact Us

For questions and technical assistance, please email us.
Attend Office Hours

Explore Asheville will host open office hours Monday November 4 through Friday, November 8 from 2:30pm - 4:30pm at Explore Asheville’s office located at 27 College Place, Asheville, NC.