NC OPEN FOR BUSINESS: Disaster Recovery Assistance for Business Owners Impacted by Hurricane Florence

NC OPEN FOR BUSINESS

Disaster recovery assistance for business
owners impacted by Hurricane Florence

Check back often as this website will be
updated as information becomes available

SBTDC Logo SBCN logo the Rural Center logo THREAD Capital Subsidary logo Economic Development Partnership NC North Carolina SBA logo FEMA logo
SBTDC Logo SBCN logo the Rural Center logo THREAD Capital Subsidary logo Economic Development Partnership NC North Carolina SBA logo FEMA logo
SBTDC Logo SBCN logo the Rural Center logo
THREAD Capital Subsidary logo Economic Development Partnership NC North Carolina SBA logo FEMA logo

FIRST STEPS TO BUSINESS RECOVERY

1.   Contact your insurance carrier to file your claim. If you are leasing business space, ensure that your lease owner has contacted their insurance carrier. Take pictures of the damage.
2.   Register with FEMA. Once a federal disaster declaration has been made for your area (check here for a list of declared counties, we update it daily), contact FEMA by phone or online at http://www.fema.gov to report any loss. FEMA will take your information and provide you with a registration number. For business losses, FEMA will refer you to the U.S. Small Business Administration.

FEMA Phone Registration
1-800-621-FEMA    (3362) or TTY
1-800-462-7585    (speech & hearing impaired).

You can also visit a FEMA/SBA Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) in your area. DRC’s are temporary assistance centers that are established after a federal disaster declaration has been made. These centers have staff from both FEMA and SBA and oftentimes other state resources. We update our list of locations regularly as more recovery centers open across the region. These centers are often busy, so if you are able to register by phone or online, we recommend that. (If you want to learn what other resources are available, you may want to visit a center directly.) SBA also has Business Recovery Centers (BRC’s). These locations are staffed by SBA staff only. Often less busy, but they only handle SBA loan applications.

3.   Contact the North Carolina SBTDC near you for assistance in developing your overall recovery plan. Our organization has been helping small and mid-size business in NC for 35 years. Our counseling staff can help you:
  • Assess the financial impact on your business
  • Reconstruct financial statements
  • Explore options with creditors
  • Prepare your emergency bridge loan and/or SBA disaster loan application
4.   If needed, apply for a Resilient Recovery Loan. Click here to apply. Resilient Recovery loans are Thread Capital’s new long-term loans designed to meet the extended challenges faced during a business’s disaster recovery, including repairing physical damage and recouping from more significant economic losses. Resilient Recovery loans are designed to ensure the business is fully stabilized and is able to handle future economic shocks. Terms are up to $250,000 for up to ten years.
5.   If needed, apply for an SBA disaster loan. SBA provides low interest disaster loans for homeowners, renters, businesses, and non-profits. SBTDC counselors can assist you in preparing your loan package which often requires some homework on your part – gathering documents and tax records, etc. SBTDC counselors can also help evaluate your ability to repay a loan and help you make good decisions for your recovery. There are two types of SBA disaster loans: (1) physical damage; and (2) economic injury. Apply online, visit an SBTDC office, or visit a recovery center in your area.
6.   Keep a cool head. You may hear rumors about grants for individuals or businesses. This is common after every disaster and often leads people to delay their own recovery plans. There are NO grants. There is only hard work, good decisions, ingenuity, good advice from experienced professionals and loan programs. Be proactive, be patient and be persistent in pursuing your recovery. It’s a long road. However, local, state and federal partners work closely to provide as much assistance as possible.

Business Recovery Intake Form

Please use the download link below in order to save and fill out the Business Recovery Intake Form. Once the form is complete, email your .pdf file to blnc@edpnc.com. We ask that you include Business Recovery Intake Form in the email subject line.

BUSINESS RECOVERY COUNSELING

The North Carolina SBTDC has a long history of assisting businesses with disaster recovery. Contact one of the SBTDC offices in your area to obtain no-cost assistance to:

  • Assess the financial impact on your business
  • Develop strategies for your recovery
  • Reconstruct financial statements
  • Evaluate options with creditors
  • Prepare SBA disaster loan applications

DECLARED COUNTIES

The following counties have been declared eligible for federal disaster assistance. Once declared, businesses and non-profits in adversely affected and contiguous counties that have been impacted by Hurricane Florence will be able to apply for low-interest loans through the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). The two types of loans consist of Business Physical Disaster Loans and Economic Injury Disaster Loans.

Physical Damage and Economic Injury

The following counties are eligible for Business Physical damage and/or Economic Injury disaster loans from the SBA: Anson, Beaufort, Bladen, Brunswick, Carteret, Chatham, Columbus, Craven, Cumberland, Duplin, Durham, Greene, Guilford, Harnett, Hoke, Hyde, Johnston, Jones, Lee, Lenoir, Moore, New Hanover, Onslow, Pamlico, Pender, Pitt, Richmond, Robeson, Sampson, Scotland, Union, Wayne and Wilson

Economic Injury Only

North Carolina: Alamance, Cabarrus, Caswell, Dare, Davidson, Edgecombe, Franklin, Forsyth, Granville, Martin, Mecklenburg, Montgomery, Nash, Person, Randolph, Rockingham, Stokes, Stanly, Tyrrell, Wake and Washington

South Carolina: Chesterfield, Dillon, Horry, Lancaster and Marlboro

Check back frequently for the most up to date list of federally declared counties.

TYPES OF DISASTER ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE

Hurricane Florence Resilient Recovery Loan

Resilient Recovery loans are designed to ensure the business is fully stabilized and is able to handle future economic shocks. As such, eligibility for funding is contingent on documentation of storm damage from a declared natural disaster.

Get more information on the Hurricane Florence Resilient Recovery Loan »

SBA Business Physical Disaster Loans

Loans to businesses to repair or replace disaster-damaged property owned by the business, including real estate, inventories, supplies, machinery and equipment. Businesses of any size are eligible. Private, non-profit organizations such as charities, churches, private universities, etc., are also eligible.

Get more information on Business Physical Disaster Loans »

SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL)

Working capital loans to help small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture, and most private, non-profit organizations of all sizes meet their ordinary and necessary financial obligations that cannot be met as a direct result of the disaster. These loans are intended to assist through the disaster recovery period.

Get more information on Economic Injury Disaster Loans »

Disaster Unemployment Assistance

Workers who became unemployed as a direct result of the effects of Hurricane Florence impacting North Carolina, may be eligible for unemployment insurance benefits under the Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) program. Business owners affected by the storm may also qualify for benefits.

Get more information on Disaster Unemployment Assistance »

Disaster Recovery Contracting Opportunities

Disaster recovery operations need vendors that can clear debris, provide facility support services, furnish necessary supplies, and much more. Different aspects of the recovery operations may be led by the federal government through FEMA, state government emergency response programs, city or county emergency response programs, or non-profit organizations like the American Red Cross.

Get the checklist for working as a contractor in disaster recovery »

Register for an upcoming webinar on Disaster Recovery Contracting »

NC Disaster Recovery – procurement (SBTDC/PTAC) »

NCDOT Emergency contract »

RECOVERY CENTERS

FEMA/SBA Disaster Recovery Centers (DRC's)

Disaster Recovery Centers(DRC's) are staffed with representatives from FEMA, and U.S. Small Business Administration(SBA) and often other state agencies such as housing and mental health assistance. Survivors can get help applying for federal assistance, learn about the types of assistance available, learn about the appeals process and get updates about applications.

Cumberland County

CLOSED

Pamlico County

Grantsboro Town Hall
10628 NC Hwy. 55 East
Grantsboro, NC 28529
Hours: Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Sunday 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Onslow County

Next to Don Williamson Nissan
312 Western Blvd
Jacksonville, NC 28546
Hours: Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Sunday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Beaufort County

Bobby Andrews Center
231 East 7th Street
Washington, NC 27889
Hours: Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Sunday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Jones County

County Civic Center
794 Highway 58 South
Trenton, NC 28585
Hours: Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Sunday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Carteret County

Board of Elections
1702 Live Oak Street
BEAUFORT, NC 28516
Hours: Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Sunday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Brunswick County

Virginia Williams Event Center, Odell Williams Aud
150 College Road, NE
BOLIVIA, NC 28422
Hours: Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Sunday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Harnett County

Senior Corps Building
309 West Cornelius Harnett Blvd
LILLINGTON, NC 27546
Hours: Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Sunday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Craven County

CLOSED

Duplin County

Wallace Presbyterian Church
205 W. Main Street
WALLACE, NC 28466
Hours: Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Sunday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

New Hanover County

CLOSED

Lenoir County

Kinston Diagnostic
109a Airport Road
Kindston, NC 28504
Hours: Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Sunday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Bladen County

CLOSED

Hoke County

Meeting Place
200 College Drive
Raeford, NC 28376
Hours: Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Sunday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Hyde County

Hyde County Schools, O.A. Peay School Site
1430 Main Street
Swan Quarter, NC 27885
Hours: Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Sunday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Pender County

Caswell Presbyterian Church
318 West Church Street
Atkinson, NC 28421
Hours: Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Sunday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Sampson County

Sampson County Government Complex
406 County Complext Rd, Building C
Clinton, NC 28328
Hours: Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Sunday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Scotland County

Parks & Recreation
1210 State Turnpike Road
Laurinburg, NC 28352
Hours: Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Sunday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Wayne County

TC-Coley Building
516 S. Leslie Street
Goldsboro, NC 27530
Hours: Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Sunday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Carteret County (Mobile Unit Location)

New Port Town Hall Parking Lot
200 Howard Boulevard
Newport, NC 28570
Hours: Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Sunday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Columbus County

Columbus County Farmers Market
132 Government Complex Road
Whiteville, NC 28472
Hours: Monday through Saturday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Closed on Sunday

Please check back often for more information about the location
of Hurricane Florence recovery centers.

SBA Business Recovery Centers (BRC's)

Business Recovery Centers(BRC's) are specialized for business assistance only. These are staffed by SBA representatives who can help you apply for your disaster loans.

Pitt County

CLOSED

Craven County

CLOSED

Robeson County

CLOSED

New Hanover County

1 Estelle Lee Place
Wilmington, NC 28401
Hours: Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Saturday 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Closed on Sundays

Bladen County

CLOSED

Carteret County

CLOSED

Cumberland County

CLOSED

Johnston County

CLOSED

Onslow County

CLOSED

SBTDC Locations

The SBTDC is here to help small businesses get back on their feet by developing strategies for your recovery, reconstructing financial statements, and reviewing your SBA loan application.

Call 800-228-8433 to schedule a free, confidential appointment with an experienced business counselor.

Hours

Monday - Friday: 8am to 5pm

Elizabeth City

1704 Weeksville Road
HL Trigg Building, Rm 102
Elizabeth City, NC 27909

Fayetteville

1200 Murchison Road
Fayetteville, NC 28302

Greenville

300 East First St, Willis Bldg
Greenville, NC 27858

Nags Head

2522 S. Croatan Hwy, Unit 1-A
Nags Head, NC 27959

Pembroke

202 Main Street
Pembroke, NC 28372

Raleigh

1021 Main Campus Dr. Ste 200
Raleigh, NC 27606

Wilmington

803 S. College Rd, Suite A
Wilmington, NC 28403

Elizabeth City

1704 Weeksville Road
HL Trigg Building, Rm 102
Elizabeth City, NC 27909

Fayetteville

1200 Murchison Road
Fayetteville, NC 28302

Greenville

300 East First St, Willis Bldg
Greenville, NC 27858

Nags Head

2522 S. Croatan Hwy, Unit 1-A
Nags Head, NC 27959

Pembroke

202 Main Street
Pembroke, NC 28372

Raleigh

1021 Main Campus Dr. Ste 200
Raleigh, NC 27606

Wilmington

803 S. College Rd, Suite A
Wilmington, NC 28403

Elizabeth City

1704 Weeksville Road
HL Trigg Building, Rm 102
Elizabeth City, NC 27909

Fayetteville

1200 Murchison Road
Fayetteville, NC 28302

Greenville

300 East First St, Willis Bldg
Greenville, NC 27858

Nags Head

2522 S. Croatan Hwy, Unit 1-A
Nags Head, NC 27959

Pembroke

202 Main Street
Pembroke, NC 28372

Raleigh

1021 Main Campus Dr. Ste 200
Raleigh, NC 27606

Wilmington

803 S. College Rd, Suite A
Wilmington, NC 28403

NC Small Business and Technology Development Center (SBTDC)
5 West Hargett Street, Suite 600, Raleigh, NC 27601
(919) 715-7272 | www.sbtdc.org

The SBTDC is funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration.