Grant Eligibility

Check If Your Business May Qualify

If your business is in the City of Asheville and was impacted by Tropical Storm Helene, you may be eligible for a grant to help you recover and move forward.

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Review the requirements below to see if this program is a good fit for your business.

Eligible Businesses

You may be eligible if your business:
  • Has a primary location within Asheville city limits. Check your address here.
  • Was operating before September 27, 2024
  • Experienced financial losses due to Hurricane Helene
  • Has not had all losses covered by insurance or other funding
  • Has owners who are legal U.S. residents
  • Earned at least $20,000 in revenue in one of the last three years (2023, 2024, or 2025)
  • Is currently open or has a plan to reopen
  • Is in good standing (no active bankruptcies, tax liens, or federal funding bans)
  • You can still apply if you received insurance or other disaster funding.

Receiving insurance or other disaster relief does not necessarily make you ineligible.

The following business types are not eligible:
  • Nonprofits
  • Cannabis-related operations
  • Passive real estate or investment holdings
  • Political or lobbying organizations
  • Adult entertainment businesses
  • Corporate-owned national franchises or chains
  • Residential short-term rentals

How You Can Use the Funds

Grant funds can help your business:

Stabilize

  • Cover operating costs like payroll, rent, and utilities
  • Help your business stay open or reopen

Recover

  • Rehire staff
  • Replace lost supplies or inventory
  • Support a return to normal operations

Grow

  • Add jobs
  • Launch new products or services
  • Expand or adapt your business

Funds may be used for expenses such as:

  • Payroll
  • Rent and utilities
  • Inventory, supplies, and equipment
  • Marketing
  • Other eligible business expenses

How funding works:

This is a reimbursement grant.

  • You must pay for expenses first
  • Then submit receipts or proof of payment
  • Funds are paid after your documentation is reviewed and approved

Only expenses from February 2026 or later are eligible.

Have More Questions?

View our extensive FAQs on the Application Resources page.

The Asheville Recovers Together Grant Fund is funded by the City of Asheville and administered by ArtsAVL, Eagle Market Streets Development Corporation, and Mountain BizWorks, in collaboration with community partners across the city.
Outreach Support Partners:
Outreach Support Partners help spread the word about the grant program and connect local businesses with information, resources, and opportunities to apply.
Technical Assistance Providers:
Technical Assistance Providers provide free one-on-one support to help business owners understand the application and submit a strong, complete application.