HENDERSON COUNTY, N.C. (WLOS) — For struggling business owners impacted by Hurricane Helene, the Henderson County Chamber of Commerce and partnering organizations are awarding $10,000 to qualified businesses to address critical, immediate recovery efforts.

The deadline to apply for round two of the “LoveHendo Business Recovery Fund” is Friday, Nov. 22 by noon.

The LoveHendo Business Recovery Fund is housed at the Community Foundation of Henderson County and founded by the Henderson County Chamber of Commerce, Henderson County Partnership for Economic Development, Henderson County Tourism Development Board and the Friends of Downtown Hendersonville – with support from Blue Ridge Community College Small Business Center.

On Thursday, Nov. 21, community members, local businesses and community leaders gathered at Trailside Brewing Co. in Hendersonville to kick off the second round of the recovery fund.

ASK 13: WHEN WILL VOLUNTEERS BE ABLE TO HELP WITH PARK CLEANUPS IN HENDERSON COUNTY?

The event offered the opportunity to network with fellow professionals, enjoy live music with The Big Hungry, and cheer on board members and community leaders as they competed to raise funds for the fund.

At 6:15 p.m., Optimum presented a $100,000 contribution to the LoveHendo Business Recovery Fund.

The fundraising event helped generate grants for small businesses that have been adversely impacted but Helene. The first round of applications, which included 97 applications for recovery grants ($75,000 to allocate), has been completed. The second round of applications ends on Nov. 22 by noon. Round two is estimated to generate another $150-$200,000 for allocation.

Debi Smith, deputy director for the Henderson County Tourism Development Authority, accredits the capital raised from contributions from various sources, including Optimum.

“From the Partnership of Economic Development, some from the Tourism Development Authority, some from the Chamber of Commerce. It is also coming from banks in our community, coming from our community as a whole,” she said.

DISASTER RECOVERY CENTER OFFERS ONE-STOP RESOURCE HUB FOR HELENE RECOVERY

Each business can receive a maximum of $10,000.

Businesses must meet the required qualifications:

Must be located within Henderson CountyMust have less than 100 employeesMust show proof of physical damage

Businesses that did not qualify in the first round will be automatically considered in round two.

“We go through a point system. They will be moved towards the top of the list because they have already put their application but we have to see those second rounds of applications to see who they are and what their needs are as well,” said Smith.

To access the application portal, click here.

To donate to the Love Hendo Business Recovery Fund, click here.