February 9, 2021

NEWS | EVENTS
OPPORTUNITIES
& more

'One Buncombe' grant fund now open: Webinars TODAY & Thursday

The application window is now open for the 'One Buncombe' grant fund, developed to help local small businesses retain and rehire their employees -- especially those businesses that have had a hard time accessing other relief options.

Applicants must be a for-profit business located in Buncombe County and in existence prior to October 1, 2020, with fewer than 25 FTEs. Sole proprietors/owner-employees and independent contract (1099) workers are eligible.

Informational webinars take place TODAY, February 9 at 2 p.m. and Thursday, February 11 at 9:30 a.m. Although the deadline is February 28, there is no benefit to rushing your application. All applications completed and submitted by deadline will be considered equally.

'One Buncombe' is funded by Buncombe County Service Foundation with support from individuals and entities that include Buncombe County TDA, which recently contributed $40,000, adding to the $50,000 donated last spring using revenue earned from advertising on ExploreAsheville.com.

PPP information for sole proprietors & independent contractors - TODAY, 3 p.m.

If you are self-employed, a sole proprietor, or 1099 contract employee considering the Paycheck Protection Program, tune in for a webinar TODAY, February 9 at 3 p.m. with PPP specialist Mike Ames of Mountain BizWorks.

Mike will provide an overview of what you should expect, forms and calculations, anticipated timelines, where to find resources, and how to participate. He also presented a PPP webinar for the tourism community that Explore Asheville hosted last month. If you missed it, find the recording and slide deck here.

PPP provides loans to help businesses keep their workforce employed during the COVID crisis. The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is currently offering PPP First Draw Loans for first-time program participants and PPP Second Draw Loans for certain businesses that previously received a PPP loan. The application deadline for both programs is March 31.

Learn about PPP forgiveness terms at SBTDC webinar - Thursday, 9 a.m.

The Small Business & Technology Development Center (SBTDC) and the North Carolina office of the U.S. Small Business Administration are hosting a webinar to provide the most recent updates to PPP forgiveness-related provisions. Topics include: forgiveness terms, forms and instructions for both First Draw and Second Draw PPP loans; how and when to apply for loan forgiveness; where to find help; and FAQs on PPP loan forgiveness.

Shuttered Venue Operators Grant: New FAQs posted by SBA

Although the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant program (also called Save Our Stages) is not yet accepting applications, new FAQs were posted last week by the U.S. Small Business Administration that provide insight into the guidelines currently under development. Eligible entities may be live venue operators or promoters, theatrical producers, live performing arts organization operators, museum operators, motion picture theater operators, and talent representatives; however it is not likely that wedding venue operators would meet the grant's requirements. Click through for more on eligibility and how to get ready to apply.

Learn how to cost-effectively increase reach & website traffic

It's not too late to sign up for TOMORROW's partner webinar presented by experts at JB Media Institute and hosted by Explore Asheville.

In "Cost-Effective Ways To Increase Reach & Website Traffic," presenters Justin Belleme and Sarah Benoit will reveal the strengths and weaknesses of various social media and digital advertising platforms and how to evaluate and prioritize digital options when working within a budget that needs to deliver a positive return on investment.

• WEBINAR: Cost-Effective Ways To Increase Reach & Website Traffic
  
• DATE: Wednesday, February 10; 9 - 10 a.m.
• PRESENTERS: Justin Belleme & Sarah Benoit of JB Media Institute, LLC

JB Media Institute's
Justin Belleme
and Sarah Benoit

Explore Asheville wants your spring & wellness news!

Explore Asheville is continually working to share local stories with media outlets both regionally and nationally and create content that brings Asheville experiences to life for consumers. In anticipation of 2021 travelers craving renewal, stress-relief, self-care and healing experiences, the CVB is putting an emphasis on wellness this spring.

Using the term "wellness" very broadly, the Explore Asheville PR team is seeking to collect ideas and news on the many ways wellness intersects across Asheville culture (art, food and beverage, music, outdoors, retail, makers, history, lodging, visitor experiences, etc.).

Regardless of whether you have an overt wellness tie-in, feel free to share what is relevant and useful for your business right now, in whatever capacity you have to do that. The current news gathering deadline for spring and wellness news is this Friday, but the PR team is glad to hear from you any time, on any topic.