Topics Related to Small Business

Governor Josh Stein today announced that 19 new small busine

In the 12 months since Hurricane Helene damaged Western North Carolina, Governor Josh Stein’s Commerce Department has launched a new division to put $1.4 billion of federal recovery dollars to work, accepted more than 3,400 applications from homeowners seeking recovery help, encouraged tourists to return to the mountains, and paid more than $96 million in disaster-related unemployment insurance benefits to people in need. These key milestones in the state’s ongoing recovery efforts reaffirm North Carolina’s commitment to help families, workers, and businesses rebuild stronger than ever.

Addressing a well-known gap that many innovative companies face, today the North Carolina Board of Science, Technology & Innovation announced its latest round of funding to small businesses developing and commercializing new technologies in North Carolina.

A new certification program from the North Carolina Department of Commerce aimed at strengthening small businesses through destination development strategies has named its first cohort to carry the designation Certified North Carolina Destination Business. The statewide initiative, launched through Commerce’s Main Street & Rural Planning Center in its Rural Economic Development Division, offers small businesses the tools and resources to be stronger, more resilient businesses that are better able to weather economic uncertainty.

Today, Governor Josh Stein announced that nine small business recovery projects in western North Carolina have been awarded grants from the North Carolina Department of Commerce’s new Hurricane Helene recovery program to help local governments rebuild damaged infrastructure. A total of $7.3 million will support projects in the City of Morganton, the towns of Gamewell and Clyde, and in Chimney Rock Village.

Yesterday, during Small Business Week, Governor Stein and North Carolina Secretary of Commerce Lee Lilley visited downtown Marshall to highlight the importance of supporting small businesses impacted by Hurricane Helene. Governor Stein has proclaimed May 4 – May 10, 2025 as Small Business Week to celebrate the impact of entrepreneurs and small businesses on North Carolina’s economy. 

Work-Based Learning (WBL) grants have provided training and skill development to 823 workers across North Carolina through a partnership between the N.C. Department of Commerce and local Workforce Development Boards—surpassing the original goal of 668 participants.

Today, Governor Josh Stein invites North Carolinians to participate in the development of an Action Plan to address unmet housing and economic revitalization hurricane recovery needs in western North Carolina. The $1.4 billion proposed plan, published today by N.C.

Today in Boone, Governor Josh Stein joined Dogwood Health Trust to announce a $30 million small business grant program to support businesses impacted by Hurricane Helene and bolster economic recovery. Small businesses with an annual revenue of up to and including $2.5 million are eligible to apply for grants up to $50,000 from the Western North Carolina Small Business Initiative grant program.

The deadline to apply for Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) has been extended to January 7, 2025, for people in 39 North Carolina counties and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians of North Carolina.