Member Login

Disaster Assistance

There are resources available for businesses navigating losses due to Helene.

If you need help restoring local business operations or finding a service provider, OneSpartanburg, Inc. team members are ready to support you.

nov. 4 UPDATES

The Small Business Hurricane Recovery Grant Program was launched by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation and American  Express to accelerate recovery from Hurricanes Helene and Milton.

Each grant is $5,000 to help small businesses recover and rebuild after the storms.

American Express has committed more than $5 million in philanthropic funding to help 1,000 impacted small businesses recover across the Carolinas, Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, and Virginia.

Grants can be used for business expenses related to disaster-recovery like rent, utilities, payroll, inventory and equipment, and infrastructure repairs. Grants will be distributed in early-December.

Registration is open until 11:59 PM ET on Nov. 17, 2024.

  • Some of the eligibility requirements include being a small business of 1-25 employees, operating in a disaster declared primary county by the SBA for these hurricanes, and financial harm.
  • Selection will be random and include provisions for businesses enabling community lifelines including day care and skilled trades.
  • There are other details on eligibility as well as an FAQ.
  • The application process is mobile-friendly and can be accomplished in under 10 minutes.
  • Local chambers can also apply provided they meet the criteria.

Oct. 22 UPDATES

The U.S. Small Business Administration announced the application deadline for a physical damage loan is November 29.

The SBA encourages survivors not to wait to settle with their insurance company before applying for a disaster loan, especially if you don’t know how much of the loss will be covered by insurance. SBA can make low-interest disaster loans for the total loss up to its loan limits, provided borrowers agree to use insurance proceeds to reduce or repay the loan.

Important points about SBA low-interest Disaster Loans:

  1. No application fee.
  2. No obligation to accept the loan after it is approved. Applicants/Survivors have 60-days to decide to accept and can ask for more time if they need to reevaluate their recovery situation.
  3. No prepayment penalty.
  4. No accrued interest for first 12 months of the loan.
  5. No required payments for first 12 months of the loan.

Apply in person at a Recovery Center or apply online using the Electronic Loan Application (ELA) via the SBA’s secure website at https://lending.sba.gov. The South Carolina specific link: https://lending.sba.gov/search-disaster/?disaster=SC-20012 .

Oct. 8 UPDATES

The S.C. Department of Insurance will hold an Insurance Claims Village Oct. 9 from 10 AM-7 PM at Boiling Springs First Baptist Church (3600 Boiling Springs Road). Reps from major insurance companies will be in attendance along with DOI’s Office of Consumer Services to help customers file claims and answer questions.

Additionally, SC Gov. Henry McMaster announced state and federal officials will be in Spartanburg on Thurs., Oct. 10 to provide residents a one-stop opportunity to learn about relief resources available to them.

The Spark Center SC, on Spartanburg Community College's Middle Tyger Campus, will offer internet access to small businesses needing connection on Oct. 15, 21, 22, 23, 28, and 29. Businesses looking for internet can utilize Room TRB 354.


Federal Assistance

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has announced federal disaster assistance is available to those in South Carolina in areas affected by Hurricane Helene from Sept. 25 onward.

Federal assistance is available to those across Spartanburg County, as well as in Cherokee, Greenville, and other impacted areas.

Individuals and business owners who incurred uninsured damages or who sustained losses can begin applying for assistance by registering online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov, by calling 1-800-621-3362 or by using the FEMA App. 

Click here for info on FEMA's Individuals and Households Program offering rental assistance, lodging expense reimbursement, and home repair/replacement assistance

Additionally, the IRS announced disaster tax relief for those impacted by Helene. Taxpayers in affected states have until May 1, 2025 to file various federal individual and business tax returns. 


FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

The U.S. Small Business Association (SBA) has financial assistance available for businesses who sustained physical damage and/or economic injury. And the U.S. SBA has a link specifically for those impacted by Helene.

  • Business Physical Disaster Loans can help repair or replace disaster-damaged property, equipment, and inventory.
  • Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) are working capital loans to help small businesses meet ordinary and necessary financial obligations that cannot be met due to the disaster.
  • Home disaster loans are available to owners and renters for disaster-damaged real estate, personal property, and automobiles.

 

SC's Emergency Operations Dashboard

The S.C. Department of Commerce has built out a statewide Emergency Resources toolkit for businesses impacted by Helene.

If your business sustained damage, please report it here.

Additionally, the S.C. Emergency Management Division has established a service to help with clean-up, available for businesses and individuals. If you or your business needs help with clean-up efforts, a Crisis Cleanup line has been established at 844-965-1386. Volunteers may be able to assist in clean-up work, but service is not guaranteed.

 

 

conversation with u.s. sba officials

OneSpartanburg, Inc. President/CEO Allen Smith spoke with regional, state, and local officials with the U.S. Small Business Administration about the resources available to individuals and businesses in the wake of Hurricane Helene.

 

The S.C. Small Business Administration District Office Website (www.sba.gov/sc) contains more information, including a subscription option for SBA emails which will alert you to opportunities and more beneficial programs.

Need one-on-one advice navigating disaster assistance? 

Call the Disaster Help Desk at 1-888-MY-BIZ-HELP for expert small business assistance. 

Looking for ways to support community members in need? 

The United Way of the Piedmont's United For All Fund is accepting donations to provide aid to those community members who need it most in the wake of Hurricane Helene.

Charging stations for those without power have been opened by the Spartanburg Regional Foundation (locations can be found here) and at USC Upstate's Hodge Center (365 Hodge Drive, Spartanburg, SC), as well as at several local Fire Departments.

The Spartanburg County Foundation has established the Spartanburg County Disaster Relief Fund to support nonprofits countywide helping with disaster relief.

 

What Our Members are Saying