Hurricane Helene Relief Options

Disaster Relief and Local Assistance for Swain County includes:

FEMA  – The FEMA Disaster Recovery Center is open in Swain County for North Carolina survivors who experienced loss from Tropical Storm Helene. It is located at the Swain County Technology & Training Center, 45 East Ridge Drive. (near Mountain View Manor). Hours are 8 am – 7 pm, Monday through Sunday. Meet face-to-face with FEMA representatives, apply for FEMA assistance, receive referrals to local assistance, apply with the US Small Business Administration (SBA) for low-interest disaster loans and much more. More info

North Carolina homeowners and renters in affected counties who had uninsured damage or losses caused by Hurricane Helene may be eligible for FEMA disaster assistance including serious needs, displacement, temporary lodging, basic home repair costs, personal property loss or other disaster-caused needs.

FEMA – Online. There are several ways to apply: Go online to DisasterAssistance.gov, use the FEMA App or call 800-621-3362 from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. ET daily. The telephone line is open every day and help is available in most languages. If you use a relay service, such as Video Relay Service (VRS), captioned telephone or other service, give FEMA your number for that service. To view an accessible video on how to apply, visit Three Ways to Apply for FEMA Disaster Assistance – YouTube.

FEMA Emergency Lodging Assistance –  Lodging businesses can register to accept FEMA vouchers, which are offered to disaster survivors allowing them to stay at participating hotels and motels while they repair their homes or secure long-term housing. Register to accept FEMA vouchers.

FEMA Residential Properties Needed to Lease for Helen Survivors – FEMA is currently seeking interested, qualified owners or property management companies to help meet the temporary housing needs for disaster survivors by leasing their properties directly to FEMA. FEMA will pay the property management company/vendor the cost of rent, while the survivor is responsible for utility costs and other expenses not covered in the lease. PDF info

FEMA Multi-family Properties Needed to Lease for House Disaster Survivors – FEMA is seeking information from owners of multifamily properties that can be repaired to local, state and federal standards and be offered as temporary housing to survivors impacted by Tropical Storm Helene. The deadline for replies to this request for information is Nov. 6, 2024. Pdf info

Dogwood Health Trust announced yesterday that it will invest a $10 million lead grant to create the Western North Carolina Small Business Initiative (WNCSBI), which will be led by Appalachian Community Capital (ACC). The initiative will offer immediate relief grants up to $25,000 to very small businesses in Dogwood’s 18 counties that experienced physical damage from the storm and have less than $1 million in annual revenue.

ACC will share criteria and open the application on its website on Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024, with grant awards being made within two weeks to qualifying small businesses. Mountain BizWorks is a partner in this program, and you’re encouraged to visit their website and sign up for their newsletter to stay in the know for not only this program information and full details, but also other opportunities as they become available.

Join the interest list to be notified when new grant funding opportunities are available.

Tax Extension – Disaster-area taxpayers and military members and their families may have extra time to file their 2023 tax year federal income tax return beyond the Tuesday, October 15 deadline. The new deadline for North Carolina is May 1, 2025. Talk with your tax preparer, or visit this IRS News page.

The State of North Carolina Economic Development Partnership office has a comprehensive guide to resources for various types of businesses.

Pisgah Legal Services is available to help with FEMA applications at their various locations; and are providing some free seminars.

US Small Business Administration: SBA – Low-interest disaster loans from the SBA are available for both physical and economic injury disaster loans. Eligibility for helping meet working capital needs caused by the disaster, regardless of whether the business suffered any physical property damage. Eligible are: small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture and most private nonprofit organizations.

Swain County Chamber of Commerce – GoFundMe campaign to help Bryson City’s Businesses Recover from Hurricane Helene. Funds will be distributed locally through a grant program managed by the Chambber so that all will have an equal opportunity to access the monies raised.

Darnell Farms – GoFundMe campaign to Help Feed the Local Community and Rebuild Darnell Farms. In addition to repair and loss of income at the farm, and supporting the families working at the farm, Darnell is committed to giving free produce to locals in need until they run out of resources to do so.

The Benefits of Chamber Membership

A free listing on the Chamber of Commerce website GreatSmokies.com, plus a free direct link to your web page, email and social media.

An opportunity to publicize your special offers and coupons on our Deals and Discounts section.

Free prospective visitor leads via email.

Tailored marketing opportunities designed to fit any budget.

A members-only referral program.

Mailing Lists: The chamber’s membership list is available to all members in Excel format.

Grand opening and ribbon cutting services for new or remodeled business, complete with newspaper coverage, photo opportunities, and email campaign.

Business After Hours: we provide the press and email campaign, you provide the rest! Excellent networking opportunity!

Membership e-newsletter filled with timely news and information for members.

Opportunities for sponsorship of community events such as the Christmas Parade, Downtown Trick or Treat and Freedom Fest. Provides an excellent advertising opportunity!

Advertising opportunities: banner ads on greatsmokies.com, sponsorship of monthly visitor e-newsletter, ads on downtown kiosks and business directional sign.

Member Celebration Banquet, including presentations honoring recipients of the Dennis White Business and Innovation Award, and the Duke Power Citizenship and Service Award.