In the recovery that's still unfolding in western North Carolina, Governor Josh Stein underscored the importance of bolstering small businesses and aiding the people in their efforts to reclaim their home life, additionally advocating for the region's tourism, as reported by the Governor's Office.
“Communities across the mountains center on small businesses and the people who make them thrive,” Stein remarked, and without missing a beat he's pushing for more state funding to get residents back into their homes and he's rooting for small businesses, suggesting that visits by North Carolinians can significantly contribute to the region’s path to recovery, with attractions that beckon whether it's your first or fifteenth visit, as per the Governor's Office.
The Governor, early in his tenure, announced an investment in the Western North Carolina Small Business Initiative grant program, a significant move to extend support to those local businesses hit hard by Hurricane Helene. This program has parceled out grants totaling $55 million, which was pooled from the state coffers, philanthropic entities like Dogwood Health Trust, and the Duke Endowment, ensuring over 8,000 jobs weren’t lost to the disaster.
Disseminating funds across 2,182 small businesses, the Initiative reflects a tangible commitment to the mountain region's economic stability, with funding not only seeking to mend the fabric of the local economy, but also looking to weave a stronger tapestry of commerce, recreation, and community in the aftermath of the hurricane's upending of lives and livelihoods.
