Resources for Tourism Organizations, Businesses and Workforce
Below we have aggregated resources from partners keeping up-to-date information about resources and funding options for small businesses and workers in the tourism industry. Please note, we organized resources in specific categories but some of these resources can be used by a variety of businesses and organizations in the declared disaster region. For hospitality employees who commute from outside of the declared disaster region, to work in this declared region, please look at the specific funding. Just because you do not live in the declared disaster county does not exclude you from all of the worker assistance programs.
General Travel Information
Visit NC has the most up-to-date resources for traveling to NC (Visit NC Helene Resource Page). They have developed a dynamic map and updating it regularly with information about which counties are safe and open to travel to and which are not ready for visitors to return.
Are you a tourism business looking for resources?
- SBTDC has created a helpful step-by-step guide to walk you through the process (SBTDC Guide). Some of the links included there mention:
- Mountain Bizworks Business Recovery Fund (WNC Strong Fund Information)
- Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina has a list of resources (EDPNC Helene Resource Page)
- This Resource Page includes information about state and federal resources as well as funding opportunities from National and local Chamber of Commerce support as well as local NGOs offering funds.
- US Small Business Disaster Assistance (SBA Disaster Homepage)
- FEMA Disaster Assistance (FEMA Disaster Homepage)
Are you a restaurant or lodging business or worker looking for resources?
NCRLA has laid out some essential resources (Helene Response Homepage)
- NC Hospitality Worker Relief Fund (Application Link)
- Reopening Resources for Restaurants and Hotels (Resource Page)
- Reopening a Retail Food Establishment (Disaster Guide)
- Environmental Health Emergency Preparedness & Recovery Guidance (Manual)
- Emergency Operation Checklist for Food Service Establishments (Checklist)
Are you an artist or art organization that has been impacted?
Are you a member of the general public looking for ways to support NC Communities?
- Give a piece of Western NC to those you love! With the holidays approaching think of purchasing gift cards or products from your favorite Western NC small business owner. Give a piece of Western NC to those you love!
- Enjoy Beer? Look for a brewery near you pouring a beer to support WNC (List of Supporters)
- Donate:
- North Carolina Disaster Relief Fund
- Support Restaurant and Lodging Hospitality Workers (Donation Page)
- North Carolina Arts Foundation is also providing support made possible through your donations (Donation Information Page)
- Southern Smoke Foundation provides support for Food and Beverage Workers (Emergency Relief Fund Page)
Do you have a specific question about these resources or a resource that you think should be added to this list? Please email Ann Savage aesavage@ncsu.edu.
