Steps To Business Recovery

1. Contact your insurance carrier to file your claim. 

If you are leasing business space, ensure that your lease owner has contacted their insurance carrier. Make a list of the damages and document the damage by taking pictures or providing before and after images.

2. Register with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

If a federal disaster declaration has been made for your area, connect with FEMA and complete an online application, use the FEMA app which can be downloaded for free from your smart phone’s app store, call 1-800-621- FEMA (3362), or meet in person at a Disaster Recovery Center.

3. Talk with a free, confidential business counselor. 

Call 800-228-8443 or email sbadvisors@edpnc.com to get connected to a statewide network of support. You can expect no-cost support that is right-sized for your business needs. All inquiries will receive a response from a confidential business counselor within two (2) business days. Se Habla Español.

Experienced business counselors can help you:

• Assess the financial impact on your business
• Reconstruct financial statements
• Develop forward-looking plans for rebuilding
• Evaluate options with creditors, vendors and suppliers
• Provide information on the types of disaster loans and grants available
• Prepare disaster loan applications

This service is provided through a collaboration between the Small Business Technology Development Center (SBTDC), the Small Business Center Network (SBCN), and the Economic Development Partnership of NC (EDPNC). 

4. If needed, apply for business recovery funding.

You may need a bridge loan, a long-term recovery loan, and grant funding. Talk with your business counselor to explore possibilities. Options include:

WNC Strong: Helene Business Recovery Fund from Mountain BizWorks – supports North Carolina small businesses and family farms as they recover. Bridge loans are available for up to $100,000. More information at: WNC Strong: Helene Business Recovery Fund – Mountain BizWorks.

U.S. Small Business Administration Disaster Loan – provides low interest disaster loans for homeowners, renters, businesses, and non-profits. There are two types of SBA disaster loans: 1) physical disaster loans of up to $2 million to cover businesses uninsured or underinsured losses and 2) economic injury disaster loans of up to $2 million to help meet financial obligations. More information at: https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/disaster-assistance. Please note: SBA is accepting and reviewing disaster loan applications; however, new loan offers will be delayed due to a lapse in Congressional funding. Submitting your application is still encouraged. 

Grant Funding – several targeted grant programs provide support to small businesses with amounts typically between $5,000 and $25,000. To learn more about available grants, visit WNC Strong. 

5. If needed, file an Unemployment Insurance (UI) claim.

If you are not eligible for UI benefits, the business owner and/or employee may be eligible for Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA). DUA is a federal program that provides temporary payments to people in a federally declared disaster area whose employment has been lost or interrupted as a direct result of the disaster. Business owners that are self-employed, a farmer, or a commercial fisherman, who is unemployed as a direct result of the disaster may be eligible. For more information go to https://www.des.nc.gov/. 

6. Explore business opportunities or resources to find a vendor.

Historically Underutilized Business (HUB) – if you want to procure the services of a contractor, consider searching for certified vendors in the database at: HUB Solicitation Disaster Recovery Opportunities. If you want to provide services as a contractor, considering applying for certification to be included in the Historically Underutilized Business (HUB) database. Information about becoming a certified HUB vendor can be found at https://ncadmin.nc.gov/businesses/hub/hub-certification.

NC Department of Transportation (DOT) Contractor – the NC DOT needs vendors that can clear debris, provide facility support services, furnish necessary supplies and much more. Visit Hurricane Response/Recovery (ncdot.gov) for additional details. To search for available contracts visit NCDOT.gov and https://connect.ncdot.gov/Pages/default.aspx or email the Office of Civil Rights at BOWD@ncdot.gov. Prequalification is necessary to ensure that a vendor has sufficient ability and experience to perform the work specified on NC DOT contracts. Visit NCDOT Prequalification Requirements to learn more. To be certified as a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) visit https://www.transportation.gov/civil-rights/disadvantaged-business-enterprise/ready-apply. 

7. Be wary of rumors and misinformation.

This is common after natural disasters and often leads people to delay real recovery plans. Help keep yourself and your community safe by being aware of rumors and scams and sharing official information from trusted sources. A list of common rumors about NC’s response to Hurricane Helene is available at Hurricane Helene: Fact vs. Rumor | NC DPS, and a searchable rumor database is available at Hurricane Rumor Response | FEMA.gov.