Transylvania Business Support Task Force Announces Creation of Small Business Emergency Support Grant Program
For Immediate Release: January 28
Contact: Nicole Bentley, Executive Director Heart of Brevard
Heart of Brevard
(828) 606-6198
Brevard, NC – The Transylvania Business Support Task force announced today the creation of the Transylvania Tomorrow Emergency Support Grant Program. The grant program will provide an emergency relief fund, through the Community Focus Foundation (501(c)(3)), to support small businesses in Transylvania County. The fund has already raised $26,000 seeded with donations from Comporium, Heart of Brevard, Transylvania County Tourism, Transylvania Economic Alliance and Brevard/Transylvania Chamber of Commerce.
Leadership at Comporium learned that the fund was in its initial fundraising stages and quickly stepped up to join the effort. “We know there are so many businesses in our community who are hurting at this time and we felt this fund was a great way to show our support and make a difference.” shares Shelia Carland, Director & City Executive of Comporium’s Brevard office. The Taskforce goal is to grow this fund with donations from businesses, organizations and individuals to provide ongoing support during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Transylvania Tomorrow Program seeks to provide fast, emergency relief to local small businesses. Businesses with fewer than 50 employees that have experienced a decrease of 25% or more in revenue due to COVID-19 are invited to submit an application. Applications and details are available at www.brevardnc.org/transylvaniatommrow.
“Right now, the vitality and future of our small business community is a critical concern.” says Heart of Brevard Executive Director Nicole Bentley. “These businesses, who have served and supported residents and visitors for so long, are under significant threat from the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, it’s our turn to serve and support them. If we want a vibrant community tomorrow, we must act today.”
A selection committee will review requests and award grants of up to $3,000 until the funds are depleted. Grants will help businesses with managing operational costs like payroll, rent and similar expenses during a time when they are experiencing a reduction in revenue and have limited or no cash flow. Applications will be reviewed and kept confidential by the team, composed of representatives of the Transylvania Business Support Taskforce and the Community Focus Foundation.
During this time, community members are encouraged to support local businesses whenever possible. They employ local residents, give back to community organizations and contribute to our tax base. Individuals can still support local businesses by ordering delivery or placing pick up orders from local restaurants and retailers, buying gift cards, and shopping online. This helps businesses with cash flow today, so their doors are open tomorrow. Many local businesses have online stores or will take orders over the phone for shipping or curbside pick-up. Lists of open restaurants and retailers can be found online at https://brevardnc.org//brevardncchamber.org.
Clark Lovelace, Executive Director of the Brevard/Transylvania Chamber of Commerce and Transylvania County Tourism shares, “Transylvania County is a special place. Small, authentic mountain communities like ours are difficult to find. That’s part of what makes us such a desirable place to live and to visit. Our small businesses are at the heart of who we are and the driving force of our local economy. They represent people who love Transylvania County enough to stake their livelihood in our community. We owe it to these individuals to protect their investment in our community.”
“Throughout this crisis, we have seen federal, state, and local leadership step up to the challenge by providing resources and support to our county’s small businesses. This initiative is an extension of those efforts by providing a helping hand to Transylvania County businesses. adds Ben Smith, Director of the Small Business Center at Blue Ridge Community College.
For more information on the Transylvania Tomorrow Emergency Grant Program and how to apply, visit https://brevardnc.org//brevardnc.org/transylvaniatomorrow/.
###
About the Transylvania Business Support Task Force:
The task force was formed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic with the mission of working together to support the business community as they work through and recover from times of crisis. The task force consists of the Transylvania Economic Alliance, Brevard/Transylvania Chamber of Commerce, Heart of Brevard, Blue Ridge Community College Small Business Center and Transylvania County Tourism
Make a Donation to the Fund:
Businesses and organizations who are interested in supporting Transylvania County’s small business community during this time of crisis, please contact Heart of Brevard Executive Director, Nicole Bentley at [email protected] or Brevard/Transylvania Chamber of Commerce Executive Director, Clark Lovelace at [email protected]
Individuals may do so online via at https://brevardnc.org//brevardnc.org/transylvaniatomorrow/ or by mailing a check to The Community Focus Foundation (CFF) at P.O. Box 215, Brevard, NC 28712. The CFF is a 501 (c) (3) tax-exempt organization, publicly supported organization serving Transylvania County.
Tax deductible contributions are payable to Community Focus Foundation, P.O. Box 215, Brevard, NC 28712.
Thank you to our Sponsors: A special thank you to Comporium, Market Connections.
Recent Comments