APPLY FOR A GRANT

To date, the Mitchell County Development Foundation (MCDF) has awarded three rounds of grants totaling $1,273,700. The foundation began accepting applications for our fourth round of grants on February 11, 2026 and closed this round of applications at midnight on February 25, 2026. Decisions regarding Round Four Grants will be announced in the coming weeks.

1—Eligibility Requirements (Round Four)

The Mitchell County Small Business Resiliency Grant Program is subject to all applicable federal, state and local laws, regulations and government-imposed rules and regulations. By submitting an application, each applicant agrees to abide by these terms and conditions, applicable provisions of the application, the terms of any grant agreements issued, and decisions of the Mitchell County Development Foundation, which shall be final and binding in all respects relating to this grant program.

To be eligible to receive a grant from the Foundation, any business, defined below, applying for a grant must satisfy the following requirements:

RESILIENCY GRANT FOR EXISTING BUSINESSES

  1. Be a business that has a “brick and mortar” location in Mitchell County that has sustained significant storm damage from Hurricane Helene. Significant damage may include damage to real property, fixtures, and/or business equipment.

  2. Be a business that was in operation in Mitchell County at the time of Hurricane Helene and at least one year prior to September 27, 2024.

  3. Applicants must demonstrate financial hardship to recover, i.e., insurance or other grant funding sources will not cover loss.

  4. Applicants must demonstrate intentions to repair damage for the purpose of reopening its business in Mitchell County.

REVITALIZATION GRANT FOR NEW BUSINESSES IN FLOOD IMPACTED AREAS

  1. Be a new or expanded business with a “brick and mortar” location in a Hurricane Helene flood impacted area of Mitchell County.

  2. Be a new or expanded business that can demonstrate an economic impact in Mitchell County (ie., job creation, commerce, etc.).

TERMS FOR ALL APPLICANTS:

  1. A “business” means any of the following: individual (sole proprietorship), partnership, corporation (S or C), or limited liability company. Non-profits are not eligible.

  2. Applicants must be willing to provide all information required on the application, plus supporting documentation if requested including, but not limited to, providing a brief budget outlining use of funds and timeline for completion and a completed and signed, 2023 Tax Return, and IRS Form W-9.

  3. Applicants must agree to be bound by these terms and conditions, and the terms of any grant agreement.

2—Application Process

Applications for our fourth round of opened on Wednesday February 11, 2026 and closed at midnight Wednesday February 25, 2026.

Grants to local businesses will range from $1,000 to $25,000, depending on demonstrated need, availability of funding, and other factors. Applications will be reviewed based on, among other things, alignment with the eligibility requirements for the grant program and responses to the application questions.

NO WARRANTY OF ANY TYPE IS PROVIDED FOR ANY GRANT OR RELATED SERVICES OR ACTIVITIES. GRANT MAY NOT BE ASSIGNED. Grant recipients are responsible for all federal, state and local taxes associated with acceptance and use of the grant. Applicants who tamper with or abuse any aspect of the grant program, who act in an unsportsmanlike or disruptive manner, or who are in violation of these terms and conditions, as solely determined by the Foundation, will be disqualified and all associated applications will be void.

The decisions of the Foundation regarding the grant program and grant recipients thereof are final, and applicants specifically agree that such decisions are not subject to review or appeal in any forum whatsoever, including courts of law. By submitting an application, each applicant consents to the Foundation’s processing of personal information provided by the applicant in connection with their application and the grant program in order to facilitate the administration of the grant program.

3—Online Application Form

The online application for Round Four is now closed. If you have any questions please email contact@mitchellcdf.org.