We’re nearly 350 days into the pandemic + while everyone’s struggles look different, one thing we can all commiserate about is that in the last year, we’ve probably all lost one of our favorite small businesses to this virus.

Enter The One Buncombe Grant Fund. This local grant fund aids small for-profit businesses in reopening and rehiring employees – and you can apply through Feb. 28 at 11:59 pm. Grant recipients will be announced on March 21. (Note: If you require assistance for submitting your application, tech. support is available until 5 p.m. on Feb. 26.) If you are looking to make a donation to The Buncombe One Fund, you can do so here. To apply, continue reading.

Let’s talk specifics + qualifications:

The eligible grant amount is based on the size of your small biz:

💰 Single member/solopreneurs organizations can receive up to $2,500.

💰 Firms with up to 25 full-time equivalent employees can receive up to $5,000.

To be eligible for the grant, you must meet the following criteria:

✅ Must have been in existence before Oct. 1, 2020

✅ Existing One Buncombe Fund Loan clients must be in good standing

✅ Must be a for-profit entity based in Buncombe County

✅ Must have 25 or less full-time equivalent employees

✅ Must support job rehiring + retention

✅ Must list all grants/other relief funds received to assist their business since March 10, 2020

✅ Must agree to award announcement + that funds will only be used for business expenses

✅ Must agree to report on the financial condition, use of funds, and jobs retained/hired six

months after grant

Find details on eligibility here.

To apply applicants will need to have the following documents:

🗂 Most recent filed tax return – unless the business started in 2020.

🗂 2020 profit + loss statement

🗂 A schedule listing the positions to be rehired/retained with wage rates, using this form.

Once those items are ready, applicants can complete an application here. ProTip: preview the application (here as a PDF + here as a Word doc.) and prepare your responses before starting the actual application. You can also watch this webinar, featuring a walkthrough of the application.

Grant funds are limited, so Mountain BizWorks, a non-profit working to build a vibrant + inclusive entrepreneurial community in WNC, is encouraging PPP eligible small businesses to apply here by Feb. 21.