In North Carolina, small business owners operating in the state’s eastern coastal region know it is likely only a matter of time before a hurricane disrupts their businesses and lives. But such storms are also increasingly targeting the western portion of the state in or around the Appalachian mountains, most notably on September 27, 2024, when Hurricane Helene inflicted historic flooding, high winds, tornados and mudslides that resulted in at least 108 deaths and nearly $79 billion in damages in the western portion of the state.
Botanical Treasures Nursery in Fletcher, North Carolina, was one severely impacted business. Within a day, $2 million worth of plants were flooded and destroyed, and owner Robert Stine was scrambling for solutions to save his business. Much of the relief assistance that would help him rebuild Botanical Treasures came through the efforts of Blue Ridge Community College (BRCC), located in Flat Rock some 21 miles away.
Ben Smith, director of BRCC’s Small Business Center (SBC), provided Botanical Treasures small business disaster relief counseling that included guidance on loss assessments and accessing local and regional disaster grant opportunities. BRCC also provided services to other storm-affected businesses, including temporary incubator space at the SBC for three to six months after Helene damaged or destroyed their physical locations…