Local governments, including the County of Buncombe and the City of Asheville, are teaming up with Business Leaders from the Asheville-Area Chamber of Commerce, Mountain BizWorks, and the Land of Sky Regional Council to launch the One Buncombe Fund, a centralized COVID-19 donation and relief center. The mission of the One Buncombe Fund is to support the basic needs of individuals who have lost employment due to COVID-19 and to provide bridge funding to our small businesses during the COVID-19 crisis.

The One Buncombe Fund provides a secure and immediate way to donate to the response effort.

The fund will be used for:

• Assistance to individuals and
• Loans to small businesses

Individuals that have lost employment due to COVID-19 are eligible for direct assistance grants. Funds can be used for life essential needs caused by the COVID-19 public health crisis such as electric bills, deposits, fuel oil, kerosene, natural gas, propane, wood, mortgages, overnight lodging, etc. Funds will be paid to the service provider, not directly to individuals. Assistance will be provided through Buncombe County Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). HHS employees will screen applicants to ensure all other potential sources are leveraged, including public assistance programs (e.g., Unemployment Insurance) and the services of our community partners. The assistance worker will also make referrals to human services partners and programs to assist the client in alleviating their immediate crisis.

Questions or Ready to Apply?

Small businesses impacted by COVID-19 will be eligible for low interest loans up to $10,000 with no payments due for up to 6 months. Loans will be designed to provide low-cost "bridge funding" to help businesses stay open and limit job losses until businesses can qualify for longer term disaster funding from SBA or others. At this time, small businesses are defined as businesses with less than 50 employees. Loan underwriting and administration will be provided by Mountain BizWorks, a non-profit Community Development Financial Institution.

Eligible uses include payroll, accounts payable, fixed debts, or other bills the business is unable to pay due to COVID impact.

Business Eligibility:

• Less than 50 (full and part time) employees
• Must have a physical location and be principally based within Buncombe County
• For-profit
• Demonstrated loss of revenue of 25% or more due to COVID-19
• Agree to provide impact data

Question, or Ready to Apply?

Mountain Biz Works at 828-253-2834 ext. 14.