ASHEVILLE – Workers have reported fewer jobs being available. Unemployment has remained above 2024 levels. And despite most reopening, small businesses are still struggling nearly a year after Tropical Storm Helene hit Western North Carolina, a recently published small business report indicates.
While some remain closed, 93% of small businesses have reopened, according to the Asheville-based nonprofit Mountain BizWorks 2025 Local Business Survey. At the same time, the 700 businesses surveyed by the company reported a total of $188 million in losses.
It means Helene caused a median economic loss of $95,000 per business and an average loss of $322,000, according to the nonprofit…