Like the rest of our community, Explore Asheville and the Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority have been heartbroken by the devastating personal, natural, and economic loss from Hurricane Helene that our region has endured. However, we are heartened by the gumption, grit, and sense of community of these people and this place.

Throughout this tragedy, the heart of hospitality has been a beacon of light. Restaurants have used their supplies to provide free meals for thousands of residents and first responders, while lodging operators, despite limited resources, are offering rooms to first responders working 24-to-48-hour shifts. Together we have resourced clean linens, porta-potties, and tanker trucks for water.

In the last ten days, Explore Asheville contacted groups, conferences, and events scheduled through October, encouraging them to rebook for later dates. We've also arranged lodging for first responders, linemen, and emergency workers. To check availability, first responder organizations or service providers can email responderlodging@exploreasheville.com. If you are a lodging partner and have available inventory, please let us know by emailing the same address. If you are getting requests for rooms you can’t accommodate, please refer them to this email.

Yesterday, Concert for Carolina was announced, featuring Luke Combs, Eric Church, Billy Strings, and James Taylor & Friends. The event will take place October 26 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, with all proceeds, including sponsorships, going towards aid relief efforts. Explore Asheville and the tourism development authority have pledged $1 million as the presenting sponsor. Millions more will flow back to communities in need thanks to Luke Combs and Eric Church.

Now that power is beginning to be restored, our community's comeback will come in stages. We must continue to work together and be mindful that some businesses and residents may not return as quickly as others. Nearly 100 local businesses are closed for the foreseeable future, while other businesses have pivoted to distribution centers that directly support the community.

Assisting our small businesses with emergency microgrants, not loans, will aid in part to sustain this deeply rooted, creative community that we all love. Our 501(c)(6) nonprofit is establishing the Always Asheville Fund to assist Buncombe County-based small independent travel and hospitality businesses in recovery. We are transferring $300,000 from our earned revenue fund to the Always Asheville Fund, and Destinations International has pledged $50,000 to kickstart the fund. More information about the grant process will be available later this week at www.alwaysashevillefund.com.

Explore Asheville and the authority are exploring other options for recovery in the near, medium, and long haul. This includes evaluating the status of community capital projects in the Tourism Product Development Fund (TPDF) and Legacy Investment from Tourism Fund (LIFT) with our county and city government and nonprofit partners.

This partner alert provides the latest resources for businesses and the broader community. We recommend everyone continue to tune into the daily 11 a.m. Buncombe County update.

• Cleaning Supplies: bleach, contractor cleanup bags, trash bags, tarps, vinyl gloves, work gloves
• Disposable Items: disposable cutlery, disposable bowls/plates, foam takeout containers, paper towels, tissue boxes
• Food & Beverages: MREs (meals ready-to-eat), mixed nuts, beef jerky, Vienna sausages, pickled vegetables, soups (veg, chicken noodle, etc.), canned pulled chicken, chili con carne, jelly, applesauce, Boost and Ensure nutritional shakes, peanut butter, cereal, cup noodles, crackers, and assorted other canned goods
• Baby & Childcare Items: baby formula, baby food, Pedialyte, diapers, children’s Ibuprofen
• Personal Hygiene: soap, shampoo, conditioner, toothbrushes, toothpaste, feminine care products, band-aids, deodorant
• Medications & First Aid: Ibuprofen, Acetaminophen, children’s Ibuprofen
• Pet Supplies: pet food
• Clothing & Comfort Items: towels and blankets, socks, fleeces, hats, sweaters
• Water & Hydration: bottled water, Gatorade, Liquid IV
• Utility Supplies: gas cans, toilet paper, water jugs, several generators

In response to the significant impact of Hurricane Helene, we are launching the Love Asheville From Afar initiative in partnership with the Asheville Downtown Association, Go Local Asheville, ArtsAVL, the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce, and JD Ellison and Company. This project is designed to help Buncombe County businesses connect with supporters by creating a centralized space where people near and far can easily find local businesses’ e-commerce platforms and direct donation options—such as GoFundMe pages—making it easier for everyone to show support during this challenging time.

If your business has an online retail presence or a direct donation platform, we want to include it on this dedicated webpage so that customers and supporters have one easy place to shop, browse, and donate. Even if you don’t currently have an e-commerce option, we encourage you to fill out the form with any future plans or barriers so that we can explore ways to help.

Starting today, Explore Asheville’s offices at 27 College Place will open Monday–Friday, 10 a.m.–4 p.m., to partners for drop-in power and internet access. Please note that there is currently no water or restroom access inside the building, but two portable toilets are in the parking lot. Individuals may drop-in during the hours above or contact operations@exploreasheville.com to reserve a conference room for larger groups.

Small Business Support Information Session: Financial Recovery | Register Here

Thursday October 10, 10 a.m.–11:30 a.m. | Mojo Coworking, 81 Broadway Street

This TedX-style event has agencies giving a 5–7 minute overview of their available resources and how businesses can engage. Participating organizations include the U.S. Small Business Administration, Mountain Biz Works, Dogwood Health Trust, Community Foundation of WNC, Community Betterment Foundation, McGuire Wood & Bissette, Buncombe County Health Inspectors, and Explore Asheville.

AIR Permit Suspension & Emergency Operations Plan Educational Seminar | Join Here

Wednesday, October 9, 3 p.m. | Virtual 

Asheville Independent Restaurant Association (AIR) is hosting a meeting with Buncombe County Health Department officials to discuss permit suspension notices and emergency operations plans this week. Attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions directly to Environmental Health Supervisor Felissa Vazquez. For more information on permit suspension notices, best practices for meal giveaways, reopening guidance, and more, visit AIR’s website here.

US Small Business Administration Disaster Assistance: Loans for homeowners, renters, businesses, and nonprofits affected by the disaster. This includes:

• Home Disaster Loans: Loans to homeowners or renters to repair or replace disaster-damaged real estate and personal property, including automobiles.
• Business Physical Disaster Loans: Loans to businesses for repairing or replacing disaster-damaged property, including real estate, inventories, supplies, machinery, and equipment. Businesses of any size and private, non-profit organizations are eligible.
• Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL): Working capital loans available to help small businesses, agricultural cooperatives, aquaculture businesses, and non-profit organizations of all sizes meet their financial obligations during a disaster recovery period.

Mountain BizWorks: The WNC Strong: Helene Business Recovery Fund offers rapid relief loans up to $100,000 with 1% interest to small businesses impacted by Hurricane Helene. Administered by Mountain BizWorks and supported by The Golden LEAF Foundation and other partners, this fund bridges the gap between the disaster’s impact and the arrival of federal aid, insurance payouts, or business recovery.

The NC Hospitality Workers Relief Fund, managed by the North Carolina Restaurant & Lodging Association (NCRLA) foundation, the fund supports hospitality employees affected by Hurricane Helene. Any employee of a North Carolina restaurant, hotel, tavern, or other hospitality-related businesses can apply for financial assistance if they are experiencing hardship due to Hurricane Helene.

NC Works Disaster Unemployment (DUA): Temporary payments for people whose employment has been impacted as a direct result of a disaster.

Assistance for Food Service Employees: Giving Kitchen and Southern Smoke Foundation offer assistance for food and beverage workers.

Above and Beyond Foundation Helping Hospitality: Urgent Aid Relief awards $500 grants to front-line, non-managerial hospitality workers affected by the recent hurricane/flooding. Senior management employees can nominate staff through the foundation’s website.

Arts AVL has created a webpage of emergency support resources, including relief grants for artists, musicians, and cultural institutions, as well as pro bono legal support.

Craft Emergency Relief Fund (CERF+) offers Emergency Relief Grants to craft artists who experienced a recent and substantially disruptive emergency or disaster. 

MusiCares provides financial assistance to music industry professionals in geographic areas impacted by natural disasters. 

National Independent Venue Foundation's Emergency Relief Fund (NIVF) provides economic relief to independent, live performance venues and promoters. 

Arts North Carolina has created a disaster relief fund and is asking artists to fill out a creative needs assessment form.

American Institute for Conservation responds to the needs of cultural institutions and the public during emergencies and disasters.