On January 21, 2025, the Mitchell County Development Foundation issued checks to 29 local businesses totaling $191,500.00 in the first round of its grantmaking efforts.
These grants represent Phase One of the Foundation’s Small Business Resiliency Grant Fund program, launched in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. The goal of this program is to support small businesses countywide that were destroyed, damaged, or otherwise negatively impacted by the storm.
“I am so proud we are distributing our first round of funding to local businesses not only in Spruce Pine and Bakersville but across all areas of Mitchell County. I am particularly pleased we are supporting some of our smallest businesses. We currently have a pledge for matching funds of up to $300,000 to help us continue our efforts. We look forward to being able to distribute our next round of grants in the near future.” Jeff Gouge, President of the Mitchell County Development Foundation.
Businesses across Mitchell County applied for funding based on specific criteria laid out by the Foundation, including damages to real property, fixtures, and business equipment. Grant amounts ranged from $1,000 to $10,000, depending on the amount of damage the business sustained and other factors.
The Mitchell County Development Foundation is a community-based organization created to raise tax deductible funds that support businesses in Mitchell County, North Carolina. Unlike some other foundations,100% of funds received will go directly to local businesses. NC Senator Ralph Hise reported that over 40% of businesses fail after a natural disaster. The Foundation now is committed to helping keep this from happening in our County.
To learn more—including information about future grant cycles and application deadlines—visit www.mitchellcountydevelopmentfoundation.org or follow the Foundation on Facebook.
ABOUT THE MITCHELL COUNTY DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION: For more than 20 years, the Mitchell County Development Foundation has supported the people, businesses, and community organizations of Mitchell County, NC. The Foundation is a community-based organization that raises tax deductible funds to support businesses in Mitchell County, NC. The foundation’s sole focus now is hurricane rebuilding efforts; 100% of received donated funds will be distributed directly to businesses in Mitchell County affected by Hurricane Helene. www.mitchellcountydevelopmentfoundation.org
