Welcome to The Foundation for Lake Lure / Chimney Rock Area Businesses Grant Program
Eligibility Criteria
Was your small business harmed by Hurricane Helene? The Foundation for Lake Lure/Chimney Rock Area Businesses is here to help.
The program is designed to provide relief grants up to $10,000 to small businesses across the region that sustained physical damage from Hurricane Helene.
Secure a grant for your business
Grants up to $10,000 are available to eligible small businesses located in The Hickory Nut Gorge area.
Small businesses can use the grants to cover expenses related to recovery and reopening in the wake of Hurricane Helene. Eligible uses include repair and replacement of physical damage, environmental cleanup, payment of business-related rents or mortgages, employee retention and hiring, and more.
Applications will be accepted until 6/30/25. Applications submitted after this deadline will not be considered. Applicants that advance to the second round of evaluation will be contacted to provide additional information about their business. Subject to availability of funding, an additional application period may be opened.
Qualifications
To be eligible for a Foundation for Lake Lure/Chimney Rock Area Business grant, you must operate a small business that:
Is a for-profit business actively registered with the North Carolina Secretary of State (or a sole proprietorship with an active DBA filing) or a Certificate of Registration from the North Carolina Department of Revenue
Is physically located within the Hickory Nut Gorge in the towns of Bat Cave, Bill’s Creek, Chimney Rock, Gerton, or Lake Lure and the surrounding communities in the counties of Buncombe, Henderson, Polk and Rutherford.
Business was formed and in operation on or before 9/27/24
Had $2,500,000 or less in 2024 annual gross revenue
Has sustained physical or economic damage (not covered by insurance or other funding sources) from Hurricane Helene
Is currently operating or plans to reopen
Only one business per owner/applicant is eligible.
Applicants selected to advance to the second round of
evaluation will be required to submit the following documentation:
Federal tax returns (/2024) or personal returns that include a Schedule C for the business
Government-issued ID (Passport/Driver License)
Voided business check
A Business that is NOT eligible:
Is a non-profit organization
Is not physically located within the Hickory Nut Gorge area
Is a franchise which is not locally owned & operated
Is a residential property rental business including AirBnbs, VRBOs, or other Short Term Rentals (STRs) based at residential addresses (this does not apply to traditional Bed &
Breakfasts and other lodging businesses at commercial addresses)
Is a country club or other membership-based club
Is a business with any active bankruptcies or tax liens
Already received or is in process to receive a FFLLCRAB grant
Multiple businesses operated by the same owner(s), only one business per owner/applicant.
How It Works
Step 1: Initial grant applications will become available 6/1/25 and must be completed by 6/30/25.
Step 2: If your application is selected for the second round of evaluation, you will be contacted to schedule an in-person meeting to possibly provide additional documentation or answer additional questions. This information will be reviewed to determine your eligibility and potential award.
Step 3: Receive grant funds if your application is approved and program grant funds remain.
FAQs
What is The Foundation for Lake Lure/Chimney Rock Area Businesses?
The Foundation for Lake Lure/Chimney Rock Area Businesses is a charitable organization offering grants to eligible North Carolina businesses impacted by Hurricane Helene.
What is the grant size?
Up to $10,000
How long will applications be accepted?
Applications will be accepted until 6/30/25. Subject to the availability of funding, an additional round of funding may be opened.
How long does it take to get grant funds?
Applicants that advance to the second round of evaluation will be contacted to provide additional information about their business within 30 days.. Once all required documentation has been received, the qualification review and funding process is expected to take about 2 weeks. The exact timeline will vary based on each individual situation.
What documents are required as part of the grant application process?
a. Federal Tax Returns (/2024) or Personal returns that include a schedule C for the business
b. Government Issued ID (Colored Copy)
c. Voided Business Check
Will automated emails be generated when the initial successful application is submitted?
Yes, an email will come from our email domain address - lc.foundation4lakelurechimneyrock.org
I filed for a 2024 tax extension, so have not yet filed my tax return though otherwise meet the criteria of the FFLLCRAB Grant
If you filed for a 2024 extension, you will be asked to provide your 2024 extension document and a 2023 tax return. Additionally, you will be required to certify that you meet the other grant eligibility criteria, including registration with the NC Secretary of State (either as an LLC or through a DBA if you are a sole proprietor.
Should I include seasonal and/or regular part-time employees in the ‘FTE’ count?
Yes, include all 1099, H2A and other employees, calculated on an annual full-time equivalent basis. For example, a seasonal employee working full time for six months would be considered 0.5 FTE
FRAUD ALERT! It has come to our attention that fraudulent grant sites and phishing scams are emerging, and which applicants are unfortunately encountering. The ONLY official small business recovery grant portal of The Foundation for Lake Lure/Chimney Rock Area Businesses is (foundation4lakelurechimneyrock.org). Any emails purporting to offer grant opportunities, especially those that are coming to your inbox unsolicited, should be treated with a high degree of care. Please report suspected fraudulent activity to https://ncdoj.gov/file-a-complaint/
Download Available!
Interested in receiving the grant criteria documentation via email? Just send us your details and we will email out a summary document.
Grant Applications
Now Open!
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The Foundation for Lake Lure Chimney Rock Area Business is a nonprofit, tax-exempt charitable organization (EIN 33-1752743) under Section 501(c)(3) of the IRS Code. Donations are tax-deductible as allowed by law.
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