Helene Recovery Resources
The Shenandoah Valley Small Business Development Center (SV SBDC) is available to you as a recovery resource if your business is in a designated disaster area and has been impacted by Tropical Storm Helene.
UPDATE 10/18/24
Although the SBA announced that it has exhausted funds for its disaster assistance loan program, individuals and small businesses are encouraged to continue to apply for loans. “We know that swift financial relief can help communities recover quickly to stabilize local economies,” said Administrator Isabel Casillas Guzman. “While we await Congress to provide much-needed funding, we strongly encourage eligible businesses and households to apply for SBA disaster loans. SBA will continue to support homeowners, renters, businesses and nonprofits in processing their applications to ensure they receive assistance quickly once funds are replenished.”
Here are some resources and updates for your reference:
Virginia SBDC Helene Recovery information – https://www.virginiasbdc.org/helene-recovery/
Webinar – Q&A about Disaster Resources – https://youtu.be/rK2T4JCdk5g
Webinar — Doing Business with FEMA-General Information Session – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=–1y-3WfI-0
Small businesses can contact the SBDC for assistance with navigating loans and other resources: https://www.virginiasbdc.org/request-appointment/
Designated disaster areas – additions and changes since October 15:
Primary Counties (Physical Damage and Economic Injury Loans):
Bedford, Bland, Carroll, Giles, Grayson, Montgomery, Pittsylvania, Pulaski, Russell, Scott, Smyth, Tazewell, Washington, Wise, Wythe, City of Galax, City of Radford
Contiguous Counties (Economic Injury Loans Only):
Amherst, Botetourt, Buchanan, Campbell, Craig, Dickenson, Floyd, Franklin, Halifax, Henry, Lee, Lynchburg, Patrick, Roanoke County, Rockbridge, City of Bristol, City of Danville, and City of Lynchburg
SBDCs serving the designated disaster areas:
- Blueridge Crossroads SBDC, Galax – April Collins
- Virginia Highlands SBDC – Cindy Fields
- Southwest Virginia SBDC – Denise Harmon
- Mt. Empire SBDC – Becki O’Quinn
- Greater Roanoke & New River Valley – Amanda Forrester
- Longwood SBDCs – Sheri McGuire, Dana Knott, Lin Hite
- Lynchburg Region SBDC – Stephanie Keener
- Shenandoah Valley SBDC – Allison Dugan
Business Recovery Centers: Monday-Saturday, 8am-6pm
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- Galax – Crossroads Institute, 1117 E. Stuart Drive
- Abingdon – Virginia Highlands Small Business Incubator, 851 French Moore, Jr. Blvd
Disaster Recovery Centers: Monday-Saturday, 8am-6pm
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- Damascus – 736 N Beaver Dam Avenue
- Independence – 578 E. Main St. Suite B
- Pulaski – NRV Fairgrounds, 5581 Fair Grounds Circle
- Tazewell – 197 Main St. Tazewell
Please let me know how we can assist your communities with disaster recovery.
10/10/24
The Shenandoah Valley Small Business Development Center (SV SBDC) is available to you as a recovery resource if your business is in a designated disaster area and has been impacted by Tropical Storm Helene.
The notice of the President’s major disaster declaration for the State of VIRGINIA, dated 10/01/2024 has been amended as of 10/8/2024 to include Rockbridge County as one of the contiguous areas adversely affected by Tropical Storm Helene. While contiguous areas are not eligible for Physical Damage loans from the Small Business Administration (SBA), they are eligible to apply for Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL). The application submission deadline is 07/01/2025.
Other resources may be available to businesses in Rockbridge County as well, including the Natural Disaster Microloan Program from the Virginia Small Business Financing Authority, U.S. Department of Agriculture Program Flexibilities, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) funding, Internal Revenue Service (IRS) disaster tax relief, the Virginia Farm Relief Fund, and more.
The advisors at the SV SBDC are here to help your business recover. We are available to provide confidential, no-cost advising and direction to help you assess and prepare disaster loan applications and assist with other post-disaster challenges.
Please visit the Virginia SBDC Helene Recovery page for more information https://www.virginiasbdc.org/helene-recovery/
For local assistance, get in touch with the SV SBDC by phone 540.568.3227 or via message at https://www.valleysbdc.org/consulting-contact/.