Boone Area Chamber of Commerce Foundation Distributes Additional $307,500 in Fourth Round of Grants

Hope for the High Country funds granted to an additional 65 businesses in Watauga, Ashe, & Avery Counties.

With nearly 100 requests received through Hope for the High Country: Hurricane Helene Business Resiliency Disaster Grants, the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce Foundation has recently awarded an additional $307,500 to 65 High Country businesses in its fourth round of funding. Through four funding rounds, 237 businesses have received disaster grant funding totaling $1,346,000.

Since late September 2024, the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce Foundation has distributed $1,552,000 in donated funds to local businesses. Included in this fourth-round of funding is $150,000 from Mountain BizWorks Recover Forward Fund. In addition to the previous $400,000 that was distributed within eight-specific rural main street communities in Ashe, Avery, and Watauga counties as part of its Rebuilding Together grant program, Mountain Bizworks has contributed $550,000 to small businesses in the High Country.

Also included in this round of funding is $150,000 granted by the Center for Disaster Philanthropy. This is part of a $250,000 grant awarded to the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce Foundation to aid in small business recovery, childcare, and workforce development.

In addition to its most recent allocation, the distributed total includes $978,500 to 209 businesses in the first three rounds of Hope for the High Country.  Soon after Helene’s impact was felt, $206,000 was raised and allocated for October tuition payments made to local licensed early childhood development centers and in-home care providers in partnership with The Children’s Council of Watauga County. 

"We are thankful for the generous donors that have helped make a fourth round of disaster grants to small businesses across the High Country,” said David Jackson, President and CEO of the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce.

“In each of the near 100 applications we received, it was clear that these businesses are doing all they can to return to pre-storm conditions. Unfortunately, timing of insurance payments, the long-term cost of loans, and the economic instability we've seen over the last year, have made conditions difficult to recover from the financial repercussions of the storm.

That reality has impacted operations, hiring, and the stability that businesses need to be successful. The 65 awards we were able to grant touch businesses across Ashe, Avery, and Watauga counties, providing assistance from revenues lost during this time. We trust these funds will be used to assist in hiring staff, paying down loans, and bolstering cash flow as we continue to work toward economic recovery."

“We are extremely grateful for the leadership of the Boone Area Chamber that is getting this vital relief to the places that need it most. We also celebrate our small business owners as they navigate this difficult time,” said Matt Raker, Executive Director, Mountain BizWorks.

The Boone Area Chamber of Commerce Foundation remains focused on helping with community and business relief in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene’s impact on the High Country. The 501c3 non-profit organization is continuing to raise funds to address its focus areas of small business recovery, childcare, housing support and workforce development.

For more information or to donate, please visit or contact Ethan Dodson at ethan@boonechamber.com.