After the Storm: A Community Rebuilds

By Jordan Stordahl, SBTDC Business Launch Specialist

It’s Friday, September 27, and Asheville is still reeling from the devastation of Hurricane Helene. As I approach an intersection on Hendersonville Road, I slow down—not stopping completely but proceeding cautiously. The traffic lights are out, yet there are few cars on the road. Fallen trees and damaged rooftops line the streets, clear evidence of the storm’s impact. Mentally, I am prepared for the next 24 to 48 hours without power. The possibility of losing water hasn’t even crossed my mind.

As I descend the gradual slope into Biltmore Village, I notice a dozen cars parked haphazardly, their drivers standing nearby. And then I see it—the water.

Two of my favorite running routes along the parkway? Inaccessible. If my dog could put pen to paper, she would surely be drafting a letter of protest over the closure. The brand-new gym I had just joined—where the scent of fresh paint still lingered—is submerged under six feet of water. The gas station where I had been diligently collecting rewards points? Four feet underwater. The beloved barbershop, conveniently located just five minutes from my home? Eight feet of water. All closed indefinitely.

Finding Space for New Opportunities

Walking around the block where our downtown office is located, I count five shuttered businesses in just that small stretch. But the challenges extend far beyond Asheville—across Western North Carolina, communities are grappling with flood damage, lost homes, and economic uncertainty. The recovery will be long and difficult. But even in the face of loss, I have to believe that the storm, in washing away so much good, may also have created space for new opportunities, both personal and professional.

Asheville will rebound. The leaf peepers and bachelorette parties will return. Our breweries will continue to thrive—perpetually full, with parking still impossible. The horizontal forests will gradually blend into new growth, healing with time. And across Western North Carolina, where resilience is part of the culture, communities will rise again, stronger than before.

Even now, in the wake of the storm, the entrepreneurial spirit remains strong. I’m currently teaching my first Taking The Leap class of 2025, and 22 aspiring business owners have shown up, ready to build something new. Their ideas range from food ventures to innovative services, from retail shops to technology startups. Some lost jobs in the hurricane’s aftermath and are seizing this moment to pursue long-held dreams of business ownership. Others see a chance to contribute to their community’s recovery, offering services and solutions to meet evolving needs.

Navigating Uncertainty with Confidence

Across North Carolina, the Taking The Leap program is helping entrepreneurs navigate uncertainty with confidence. With 22 cohorts planned for 2025, business launch specialists will provide expert guidance to those starting fresh. Meanwhile, SBTDC business counselors are working one-on-one with established business owners, helping them rebuild, secure disaster funding, and adapt to a changed market.

Resilience is more than a buzzword here in the mountains. It’s an attitude, a way of life. And as I look around at this community—at the determined shop owners, the hopeful new entrepreneurs, the neighbors showing up for one another—I have no doubt that Western North Carolina will not only recover but emerge stronger. The storm may have reshaped our landscape, but it has not diminished our spirit.

For those ready to take the next step, whether launching a new venture or rebuilding an existing one, help is available. The SBTDC’s Business Launch Program is here, offering expert support, resources, and a community that believes in new beginnings. The road ahead will not be easy, but as Asheville and the greater region have proven time and time again, we will rise.