Always Asheville Fund Applications Due November 11
Travel and Hospitality-Related Buncombe County Businesses
Can Apply Until 5 pm Monday

Explore Asheville launched the Always Asheville Fund to support small, independent travel and hospitality businesses throughout Asheville and Buncombe County in reopening after the devastating impacts of Hurricane Helene. As of today, nearly $800,000 will be available in microgrants ranging from $5,000 to $10,000.

Explore Asheville has a long and proud legacy that started in 1983 and has inspired economic prosperity in Asheville, Buncombe County, and Western North Carolina for nearly forty years. Since 2001, Explore Asheville and the Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority have committed $96 million in grants to more than 50 community projects, as well as $5 million in grants through the Tourism Jobs Recovery Fund to nearly 400 small travel and hospitality businesses to reopen following the pandemic. Nearly 90% of those businesses were still in operation prior to Helene.

Eligibility Requirements

• Business must be a small, independent business with at least two employees and not more than 100 employees as of September 26, 2024. (Owners actively working in the business count as employees; passive owners and independent contractors do not.) 

• Business must have been in operation before July 1, 2024. 

• Business must provide direct in-person visitor experience. A business 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 provide a clear plan to re-open quickly and a detailed description of grant fund use.

Application Timeline

• Application Opened: October 31, 2024 
• Application Deadline: November 11, 2024, 5 p.m. 
• Award Notifications Issued: November 22, 2024

For questions and technical assistance, please email alwaysashevillefund@exploreasheville.com

Click here for a list of up-to-date community resources for Hurricane Helene recovery.