Millions in funds available for Upstate businesses and homeowners affected by Helene

GREENVILLE, S.C. (FOX Carolina) – The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) says more than $3 million is available for small business owners, homeowners and non-profits in South Carolina affected by Hurricane Helene. On Tuesday, a White House administrator visited Greenville to assess the damage.

“Some people lost everything. We have some businesses in Asheville that don’t even have a building anymore,” Mary Walsh said.

Walsh is the co-owner of Swamp Rabbit Cafe and Grocery along with Jac Oliver. Besides losing electricity and some produce, the cafe’s generators were also stolen. Walsh and Oliver said the community stepped up in their time of need.

“It’s been overwhelmingly beautiful,” Walsh said. “I’ve been crying everyday like four times. The power is out, so [people] need their generator. Instead, they brought it to us, and let us use their generators. And that’s amazing. People showed up with brooms to sweep the leaves, with chainsaws to cut the trees,” Oliver added.

SBA Administrator Isabel Guzman toured the store and cafe with the owners.

“We want South Carolinians to know that the SBA is on the ground, scaling to make sure we can support you,” Guzman said.

During her time in the Upstate, Guzman explained the services offered by the federal government, including affordable loans with zero percent interest in the first year.

“Whether it’s to help their employees dealing with unemployment, or how they can rebuild their business, increase marketing, increase marketing opportunities- SBA is here to help them build resilience, ultimately,” Guzman continued.

The SBA also set up a business recovery center at Next Innovation Center located at 411 University Ridge in Greenville. It’s one of just two SBA satellite centers in the entire state of South Carolina. The purpose is to assist those recovering from Helene, with hands-on help from officials who will walk people through the application process.

“We bring competence, we bring expertise, we bring experience and empathy. So we’re going to be here to support the folks of Greenville, SC,” Jeffrey Powell, the SBA team lead in Greenville, said.

Powell explained once an application is in the system, the SBA will help secure funds available for businesses, homeowners and non-profit organizations.

However, Guzman warns disaster relief may run out in a few weeks if Congress doesn’t approve more money for the SBA.

“We do know very soon our resources will be depleted,” she said.

Meanwhile, the SBA will continue taking loan applications in person, on the phone and online. “As soon as Congress funds additional dollars to the SBA, we’ll be able to write those checks.”

While federal officials continue to provide relief, the Swamp Rabbit Cafe, which supports hundreds of local vendors, is also lending support.

“A lot of our Asheville businesses may have lost the majority of their wholesale businesses because restaurants are closed. So whenever we can, we’re trying to buy more stuff from people if it helps them,” Walsh said.

To apply for assistance through the SBA, click here.

You can also visit the business recovery center at 411 University Ridge. Walk-ins are accepted. You can also make an appointment online.

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