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Asheville opens two CDBG‑DR small‑business programs; partners report rapid early interest
Summary
City staff and subrecipients explained two federal CDBG‑DR programs for storm recovery: Asheville Recovers Together (grants $5,000–$75,000, applications to July 14) and Optimus Ventures’ accelerator (CDBG‑DR grants up to $25,000 plus accelerator supports, applications to July 17). Staff said awards will be reimbursement-based and reviewed July–September.
City staff and partner organizations updated the Planning, Economic Development and Environment Committee on two small‑business recovery programs funded with HUD CDBG‑DR dollars and administered by community partners.
Elma King, the city’s CDBG‑DR program manager, said council approved $15.5 million in awards in January to four subrecipients to run complementary programs that opened for applications on June 15. "Applications for both programs opened on June 15th," King said, and she noted awards will be reimbursement‑based and decided in the coming months.
Mountain BizWorks partnership manager Christine Locker described the Asheville Recovers Together grants program, which Mountain BizWorks, Arts AVL and Eagle Market Streets jointly administer. Grants range from $5,000 to $75,000 and include technical assistance from community partners (AB Tech Small Business Center, the SBTDC, Western Women's Business Center and the YMI Cultural Center). Locker said outreach partners include neighborhood and industry associations as well as organizations focused on Black and Latino business owners. She reported that more than 40 complete applications were submitted within 24 hours of the program’s opening and emphasized there is no advantage to early submission to protect equity.
Optimus Ventures’ Jeffrey Kaplan described a complementary accelerator approach that combines compliance with HUD requirements and venture‑philanthropy supports. Kaplan said the Optimus program pairs a CDBG‑DR grant with the organization’s private funding so selected founders can receive up to $50,000 in combined support ($25,000 CDBG‑DR plus other checks tied to the accelerator). He outlined an accelerated timeline (screening, finalist pitches in late July, and a 14‑week accelerator series) and emphasized strict documentation and HUD compliance for eligible expenses such as payroll, inventory replacement, lease obligations and professional services.
Councilmembers asked how award sizes will be determined if requests exceed available funds; staff said final award sizes will be set after the application window closes and that administrators can both concentrate funds for stabilization and scale awards across many applicants depending on need. Staff also confirmed applicants may apply to both programs but duplication‑of‑benefit will be screened.
Staff outlined next steps and timing: applications are open through mid‑July (Asheville Recovers Together closes July 14 at noon; Optimus’s deadline listed as July 17), staff will review applications July–September, conditionally awarded applicants will be notified, and grant agreements and fund distribution are expected through December 2026 (with some distributions occurring earlier for higher‑capacity applicants).
