Haywood Strong Disaster Relief Fund is one of the initiatives created by the Haywood Business Support Task Force, a collaboration between the Haywood County Chamber of Commerce , The Mountain West Partnership, WCU and UNCA Small Business Technology Development Center (SBTDC), Mountain BizWorks, and Haywood Community College Small Business Center.
This group formed soon after the impact of Tropical Storm Fred began as a local effort to provide support to the business community, which drives the local economy. In addition to the Relief Fund program, the task force will provide comprehensive information, printed resources, and town hall meetings.
The program is set up to award qualified businesses with a small grant. There is a task force set up to review applications and initiate awards every two weeks within a 90-day period, or until funds run out. The Task Force will have an ongoing review of the fund to determine if donations will allow for an increase to the allotted amount, and to be able to extend the time period.
The task force is currently making a promotional push to add funds to an already $60,000 donation by requesting donations earmarked for business recovery. Donations are currently being accepted here.
Small businesses in Haywood County can apply for the Haywood Strong grant program here.
An alternative option for relief is the Haywood County Recovery Fund. This loan fund aims to provide a rapid source of assistance for Haywood County-based businesses that have been impacted by COVID-19 as well as businesses that have been impacted by Tropical Storm Fred.
Applicants can receive up to $25,000, 12 months of no payments followed by 48 months of principal and interest, and there are no prepayment penalties. Interested small businesses can apply here.
For additional Haywood County small business relief resources, visit the Haywood Chamber’s flood recovery page.
