In a substantial boost to aid efforts for small businesses suffering in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, The Duke Endowment has made a significant contribution to the recovery process. Governor Josh Stein heralded the arrival of an additional $5 million from the philanthropic organization to sustain the Western North Carolina Small Business Initiative grant program, according to WataugaOnline. The program, which had its inception on Friday, has since witnessed a deluge of interest, with nearly 900 applications filed, a number on the steady rise.

Commending the private sector's support, Governor Stein stated, "I am grateful that the Duke Endowment has joined our private-public partnership to ensure that small businesses in western North Carolina can get on the road to recovery," as obtained by WBTV. The Governor further seized the opportunity to summon more philanthropic entities into the fray to shore up the state's relief operations. The bolstering funds hike the grant pool to a formidable $35 million, enriching the resource well to address demands from businesses within the 28-county and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians students that have emerged in the wake of the calamity. These areas come under President Biden's federal disaster declaration or fall within the Dogwood Health Trust's jurisdiction.

President of The Duke Endowment, Rhett Mabry, echoed a similar sentiment during the announcement. "Small businesses are essential to the social and economic fabric of Western North Carolina," Mabry said, emphasizing The Duke Endowment's unwavering commitment during this trying period, as reported by WCCB Charlotte. The grants are managed by Appalachian Community Capital with collaboration from the Community Reinvestment Fund, attending to the application process and stewarding assistance to qualifying businesses, those with annual revenues up to and including $2.5 million.

Besides the relief for small businesses, Governor Stein's administration is channeling $3 million each to Baptists on Mission and Habitat for Humanity NC, in support of housing repair efforts across the affected regions. Business owners aiming to alleviate their plight under the duress of Hurricane Helene's destruction are encouraged to apply for the grant through the specified portal.