February 25, 2021

NEWS | EVENTS
OPPORTUNITIES
& more

Gov. Cooper Eases Restrictions Effective Friday at 5 p.m.

With state trends moving in the right direction and increases in vaccine distribution, Gov. Roy Cooper announced that Executive Order 195 takes effect February 26 at 5 p.m., and will expire March 26 at 5 p.m. Highlights:

- MODIFIED STAY AT HOME ORDER LIFTED: This order required people to stay at home and businesses to close to the public between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m.

- ALCOHOL CURFEW MOVED TO 11 PM: The previous curfew for onsite alcohol consumption was 9 p.m.

- NEW INDOOR CAPACITY LIMITS OF 30% (or no more than 250 persons in indoor spaces - see note below):

• Bars. Lounges, Night Clubs
  
• Meeting, Reception, Conference Spaces, Event Venues
• Movie Theaters
• Entertainment facilities
  
• Sports Arenas and Fields

NOTE: Indoor event venues with more than 5,000 seats may be excepted from the 250-person limit if they follow additional safety measures, up to 15% of the stated fire capacity limit.

- INCREASED INDOOR CAPACITY LIMIT FOR RESTAURANTS - Restaurants and these other businesses can now move to 50% capacity:

• Breweries, Wineries, Distilleries
• Fitness and Physical Activity Facilities (e.g., pools, rock climbing facilities)
• Museums and Aquariums
• Retailers
• Outdoor areas of Amusement Parks
• Salons, Personal Care (e.g., massage therapy)
  

- MASS GATHERING LIMITS CHANGED: Except for what is specified above, the number of people who may gather indoors will increase from 10 to 25, while 50 remains the limit for outdoors.

What has not changed?

- MASK MANDATE: North Carolina's mask mandate remains

- SIGNAGE / SCREENING / SANITATION REQUIREMENTS and other specific health and safety measures outlined in the Order

- COCKTAILS TO-GO: Allowance will continue through March 31

'One Buncombe' Grant Fund Application Window Closes Sunday

The application window closes February 28 at 11:59 p.m. 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. Highlights:

 - ELIGIBILITY: Small businesses of 1-25 employees (FTEs) located in Buncombe County and in existence prior to October 1, 2020. Although not exclusively, the fund is particularly focused on:

• Creative sector – art and music businesses
• Sole proprietorships
• Women- and people of color-owned businesses

- FUNDING AVAILABLE:

• Small businesses with 2-25 full-time equivalent employees are eligible for up to $5,000.
• Sole proprietors are eligible for up to $2,500

- GET HELP

• Technical assistance is available through Friday, February 26 at 5 p.m.
• The One Buncombe website (click button below) has recorded webinars and other available materials

'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.

SBA Prioritizes Businesses & Nonprofits of < 20 Employees for PPP Loans through March 10 

The U.S. Small Business Administration announced this week that it has established a 14-day, exclusive Paycheck Protection Program loan application period for businesses and nonprofits with fewer than 20 employees. The 14-day exclusivity period started on Wednesday, February 24. Other changes including allowing sole proprietors, independent contractors, and self-employed individuals to receive more financial support.