Mountain BizWorks

08/26/2026

In our 2026 Local Business Impact Survey, business owners identified tourism as the region’s greatest opportunity for strengthening small businesses. They also emphasized something WNC knows well: the importance of collaboration, connection, and supporting one another.

At the same time, new challenges are shaping the road ahead. Inflation, rising costs, and concerns about a recession outranked storm recovery as greater perceived threats to business success.

Your voices matter as we build the next chapter of our local economy together.

Read more from the 2026 Local Business Impact Survey here: https://mountainbizworks.org/2026/08/10/2026-local-business-impact-survey/

08/24/2026

Applications are open for Mountain BizWorks' 7th Catalyst Cohort!

This business growth program is designed to support under-resourced entrepreneurs through practical tools, expert guidance, peer connection, and hands-on support. Plus 1:1 coaching along the way. Sessions kick off October 21.

Apply by September 25: https://mountainbizworks.org/catalyst-cohort/

08/21/2026

A big tournament coming to Asheville is a big opportunity for local businesses. 🏌️⛳

Grab a free spot at Driving Connections on Fri, Aug 28 (5–7 PM at WCU Biltmore Park) for practical PR tips and networking designed to help small businesses like yours get noticed during Tournament Week and beyond.

Hosted by PRSA Western North Carolina Chapter + Buncombe County Strategic Coalition. Free & open to all WNC small businesses.

📍 28 Schenck Parkway, Room 346
🎟️ Get your free ticket: https://www.simpletix.com/e/driving-connections-public-relations-works-tickets-28669

Join the Western North Carolina Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) and the Buncombe County Strategic Coalition* for an evening of networking, idea-sharing, and practical public relations strategies designed to help local businesses i

08/20/2026

Applications are now open for the NC IDEA Fall 2026 Grant Cycle, offering non-dilutive funding to help North Carolina startups grow.

💡 NC IDEA MICRO: $10,000 project-based grants for early-stage companies validating their business model.

🚀 NC IDEA SEED: $50,000 grants for startups ready to accelerate growth and scale.
📅 Application deadline: August 24 at 5:00 PM ET

If you're building an innovative, growth-oriented business in North Carolina, now is the time to apply.

🔗 Learn more and submit your application at ncidea.org.

Please note: Applicants may apply for either the MICRO or SEED grant during this cycle, not both.

08/19/2026

The Catalyst Building Resiliency Micro-Grant Program is still accepting applications from early-stage entrepreneurs and small business owners across Western North Carolina. Grants begin at $1,000 and are designed to help businesses invest in the tools and resources they need to grow.

Funding is flexible and can be used for things like:
✔️ Marketing
✔️ Equipment
✔️ Technology
✔️ Operational improvements
✔️ Professional coaching

You may qualify if you:
▪ Own a for-profit business in WNC
▪ Have been in business less than five years and annual revenue under $150,000
▪ Face economic barriers to accessing traditional capital (see eligibility for details)

📅 Apply by August 31 at 11:59 p.m.

Visit mountainbizworks.org/catalyst-grants to learn more and apply.

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El programa de micro-subvenciones Catalyst Building Resiliency está aceptando solicitudes de emprendedores y propietarios de pequeños negocios en el oeste de Carolina del Norte. Las subvenciones comienzan en $1,000 y pueden utilizarse para fortalecer y hacer crecer tu empresa.

Los fondos pueden destinarse a:
✔️ Marketing
✔️ Equipo
✔️ Tecnología
✔️ Mejoras operativas
✔️ Coaching profesional

📅 La fecha límite para solicitar es el 31 de agosto a las 11:59 p.m.

Obtén más información y presenta tu solicitud en mountainbizworks.org/catalyst-grants-en-espanol.

08/19/2026

We’re hard at work reviewing 750+ applications and more than 4,000 supporting documents for the Asheville Recovers Together Small Business Grant!

Many of you have already heard from us with follow-up questions, but please check for emails from [email protected]. (We recommend adding it to your contacts so you don't miss anything!)

Declined applicants will hear from us later this month; those moving forward will hear from us by late September. While we can't share individual updates, know your application is being reviewed thoroughly and fairly.

We'll continue to update occasionally as the process continues. 🧡

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Asheville Recovers Together is funded by Asheville City Government and administered by Mountain BizWorks, Arts AVL, and Eagle Market Streets Development Corporation.

08/18/2026

At Thrive Appalachia, teens aren't just participating in programs, they're shaping them. From launching an ice cream business to designing clothing lines, building timber-frame structures, and running pop-up restaurants, they're gaining real-world entrepreneurial skills while building a stronger future for their communities.

As they work toward securing a permanent home for these programs, Mountain BizWorks is proud to have supported their journey to financing through the WNC Investment Framer Cohort, pledging to support them in the borrowing process, and helping them build the foundation for long-term impact.

We're inspired by organizations like Thrive Appalachia that are investing in the next generation of entrepreneurs.

Learn more about their incredible work and give them a follow:

08/18/2026

Big news for WNC small businesses recovering from Hurricane Helene: Last week, Governor Stein signed a bill giving WNC Strong loan borrowers six more months of interest-only payments at 1%. If you're a WNC Strong borrower, we'll be in touch directly with details.

Thank you to Governor Stein, the NC General Assembly, and Senator Tim Moffitt for continuing to fight for WNC's small businesses.

Read more at https://mountainbizworks.org/news/.

08/17/2026

We released our 2026 Local Business Impact Survey last week, and we’re excited to continue sharing key insights! The survey found that 3 out of 4 WNC small businesses are still earning at or below their pre-Helene revenue, nearly two years after the storm.

The good news: the share of businesses earning above pre-Helene levels has grown from 14% to 25% since last year. The reality: for most entrepreneurs, the road back to financial stability is still a long one.

This is exactly why continued local support matters: recovery doesn't end when the doors reopen.

Explore the full 2026 Local Business Impact Survey Report here: https://mountainbizworks.org/2026/08/10/2026-local-business-impact-survey/

08/15/2026

Is your brand feeling scattered, inconsistent, or hard to explain visually? Craft Your Commerce has a great Connect session coming up 8/28 to help!

In the Brand Checkup Clinic, creative entrepreneurs will take a practical look at how their brand shows up across websites, social media, marketing materials, logos, colors, fonts, photos, and other customer touchpoints. Then, through a guided visual brand audit and supportive live feedback, we’ll look at whether your visuals are accurately communicating the vibe, value, audience, and personality of your business, products, or services.

Please bring two or three examples of your current brand materials, such as your website, Instagram, logo, flyer, packaging, email newsletter, or anything else customers see!

You’ll leave with a clearer sense of what’s working, what needs attention, and a short list of realistic next steps.

Register now! https://mountainbizworks.org/craft-your-commerce/