Although almost two years have passed since the impact of Hurricane HeleneThe city of Asheville is still in the process of recovery. For small businesses, the storm meant economic losses that are very difficult to bear. And those who managed to survive are still struggling to stay afloat.
In that context, the city launched Asheville Recovers Together: a $14.6 million relief fund for affected businesses.
“Nearly two years in, this support comes at a critical time because many emergency programs have already ended, but the needs of the communities remain,” he told Enlace Latino NC Zurilma Anuel, from Western Women's Business Center.
The program will award grants of between $5,000 and $75,000 per business, depending on the damage and losses that each business can prove. Applications opened on Monday, June 15 at noon and will close on July 14 at the same time.
Unlike a loan, this money doesn't need to be repaid, and businesses can use it to pay salaries, rent, or invest in growth. It's important to note that the application is available in Spanish, and free step-by-step assistance is available from a Spanish speaker.
What is Asheville Recovers Together?
It is a grant program funded by the City of Asheville with federal disaster recovery funds.
These funds are called the Community Development and Disaster Recovery Block Grant (CDBG-DR).
The money comes from the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Three local organizations jointly administer the program: Mountain BizWorks, Arts AVL y Eagle Market Streets Development Corporation.
Which businesses can apply?
To qualify, the business must have its main office within the city limits of Asheville. But simply having a mailing address in the city isn't enough: the business must be physically located in Asheville.
Here you can check if you are within the city limits: online tool to check if an address qualifies.
The business must also have been operating before September 27, 2024, before the hurricane. Additionally, it must have lost revenue due to the storm and have losses not already fully covered by insurance or other assistance.
The program requires other requirements:
- Have generated at least $20,000 in revenue in 2023, 2024 or 2025.
- Be currently open or have a plan to reopen.
- Be in good standing, with no active bankruptcies or tax liens.
It is not necessary to have suffered physical damage to the premises. A business that lost customers, had events canceled, or experienced service interruptions due to the storm may also qualify.
If I am an immigrant, can I still apply?
The answer is yes, but there are nuances. And this is the point that generates the most questions in the Latino community.
Because the money comes from federal funds, the program applies a 1996 law called Personal Responsibility and Reconciliation of Employment Opportunities Act (PRWORA). That law requires that all owners with a 20% or greater stake in the business be legal residents of the United States.
In other words, applicants must be citizens or permanent residents (green card) of the country to participate in the program and apply for assistance.
“Unfortunately, many Latino businesses have missed the opportunity to benefit from programs like this due to a lack of information, language barriers, and limited access to educational resources,” Anuel stated.
Who qualifies as legal residents to apply?
Según un Congressional Research Service reportThe legal resident category under PRWORA includes, among others, permanent residents with a green card, asylees, and refugees.
The same report notes that DACA recipients and people with Temporary Protected Status (TPS) generally do not fall into that category.
The program asks you to confirm this requirement as part of the application.
However, if a person has doubts about their case, they can Request a free, private appointment in Spanish with one of the technical support providers.
There you can check if your business meets the requirements before submitting any documents.
How does it apply?
The application is completed online on the program's official website. There's one key detail to know before you begin: you can't save it and come back to it later. You must complete it in one sitting.
Therefore, the program offers a Google Docs version of the application so that applicants can prepare their responses before copying them to the online form. All completed applications received before the deadline are reviewed equally. You can review the step-by-step application process here: Application Guide.
What documents do I need?
- Proof of the business's physical address Documents such as a utility bill, lease agreement, or payroll records are acceptable. P.O. boxes are not accepted.
- An government-issued photo identification such as a driver's license, passport, or military ID.
- federal tax returns for 2023, 2024, and 2025 If you haven't filed your 2025 returns yet, you can submit a profit and loss statement for the year instead.
- Financial records that show the month most affected after the storm and a similar month before, for comparison.
How much money can I receive?
The grants (ranging from $5,000 to $75,000) will be awarded based on the size of the business, its revenue, the number of employees, and the level of impact of the storm, the program said.
When do I receive the money?
It's actually a repayable grant. That means the business pays the expense upfront, and once they submit the receipts, the program reimburses them.
Only expenses incurred from February 1, 2026 onwards are eligible. Each refund request may take up to 45 days to process, and payment is made via direct deposit.
Where can I get free help in Spanish?
“My advice to those who want to apply but feel overwhelmed by the paperwork and requirements is not to do it alone,” Anuel said. He confirmed that the program offers free technical assistance in Spanish to help prepare the application, with in-person or virtual appointments.
These appointments allow you to verify if the business meets the requirements, understand the questions, organize the documents, and review the answers before submitting them.
The Western Women's Business Center offers assistance in Spanish. Mountain BizWorks also supports Latino entrepreneurs through its Spanish-language program. Appointments are scheduled at the aid program website.
Key dates and facts
- Applications are now open: Monday June 15
- Applications are now closed: Monday, July 14, at noon. Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted.
- Amount: from $5,000 to $75,000 per business.
- More information and application: ashevillerecoverstogether.org/en-espanol
PODCAST
After the storm
A year ago, Hurricane Helene struck western North Carolina. The Latino community responded with something stronger than the storm: solidarity.
🎧 In this episode, learn how Latino organizations transformed crisis into resilience.
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