Blue Ridge Mountains Travel Guide

11-18-2024

AMAZING NEWS!!! Lowe’s Announces $2.5 Million in Grants for WNC!

Lowe’s and LISC have joined forces to award $2 million in grants to small businesses in Western NC impacted by Hurricane Helene. LISC and Lowe’s will award $20,000 grants to 100 small businesses in Western NC to help accelerate economic recovery after Hurricane Helene.

Small businesses may use these flexible grants to meet urgent needs such as:

* Wages and benefits

* Inventory and systems for ongoing operations

* Payables (rent, supplies, etc.)

* Past-due bills

Note: Grants cannot be used for costs associated with starting or closing a business.

Who is eligible to apply?

Small businesses are eligible to apply for a grant if they meet the following criteria:

* Must be located in a disaster designated county in Western North Carolina qualifying for individual and public assistance (categories A-G on FEMA map)

* Must self-report as an enterprise in one of the following industries:

-Construction (includes general contractors, trade contractors such as painting, masonry, plumbing, electrical work, etc)

-Manufacturing (includes factories, makers, bakeries, candy makers, custom tailors, etc)

-Retail Trade (includes food stores, groceries and convenience stores, hardware stores, nurseries/garden centers, flower shops, bookstores, car dealers, apparel stores, etc)

-Transportation and Warehousing (includes providing transportation of passengers and cargo, warehousing and storage for goods, scenic and sightseeing transportation)

-Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting (includes farms, ranches, dairies, greenhouses, nurseries, orchards, or hatcheries)

* Must attest that the business expects to still be operating at some capacity or expect to be within the next six months to a year

* Must be able to provide valid W-9 information if selected as a semi-finalist

* Must be able to provide Direct Deposit/ACH information and/or a valid bank letter if selected as a semi-finalist.

Eligible small businesses must submit an online application from November 18-22, 2024. Sign up to be notified when the application is open here: https://confirmsubscription.com/…/8997E548A4CFED5D2540E…

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