On September 28, 2024, Hurricane Helene was declared a Federal Major Disaster after it swept through Western North Carolina, causing major, widespread devastation.
Our thoughts and support go out to all of our neighbors in WNC. We are at the beginning of a long road to recovery, but we will get through this experience together.
If your business has experienced loss from Hurricane Helene or another disaster, the SBTDC can help you:
- Assess the Financial Impact on Your Business
We help you review financial statements, identify lost revenue, and calculate damage to assets, inventory, and property. We also assist in estimating future cash flow disruptions, assessing insurance coverage, and exploring available recovery funding.
- Reconstruct Financial Statements
This step is essential for filing insurance claims, securing funding, and assessing losses, helping businesses recover financially and operationally. It also supports tax relief opportunities, enables strategic planning, and maintains confidence among stakeholders.
- Develop Forward-Looking Plans for Rebuilding
We can assess your business’s financial health, set recovery goals, and create a strategic roadmap for rebuilding. We will guide you through grants and loans, advise on risk management, cash flow forecasting, and operational adjustments to ensure long-term sustainability.
- Evaluate Options with Creditors, Vendors, and Suppliers
We will help you assess financial obligations, prioritize payments, and negotiate favorable terms. We guide you through discussions about extending payment deadlines, reducing interest rates, or adjusting contracts, ensuring you maintain critical relationships while protecting cash flow.
- Prepare Disaster Loan Applications
We will guide you through the required documentation, such as financial statements, tax records, and proof of losses. We also assist in completing application forms, crafting strong narratives, and ensuring accuracy and alignment with the loan requirements.
- Offer Info on the Types of Disaster Loans and Grants Available
We explain eligibility requirements, loan terms (such as interest rates, repayment periods, and borrowing limits), and the types of losses each program covers, while also advising on deadlines and the application process for each funding source.
We have also compiled key resources on our website to support businesses in Western North Carolina as they navigate the recovery process, including:
- Steps to Business Recovery
- SBA Disaster Loan Assistance
- Contracting Opportunities
- WNC Strong: Business Recovery Fund
We are committed to helping businesses rebuild and recover after the hurricane. Please visit our site regularly for the latest updates and resources tailored to your business recovery needs.
Stay resilient, Western NC. We’re here to support you every step of the way.
Visit the site now: https://sbtdc.org/hurricane-helene
For more immediate assistance, please call 800-228-8443 Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. to be directed to the most appropriate resource for you.