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MILL SPRING—On Friday morning, WNC Main Street at Tryon International Equestrian Center received a visit from North Carolina officials from the Governor’s Recovery Office for Western North Carolina, known as GROW NC, who met with business owners to assess their needs as they continue to recover from Hurricane Helene. 

It has been over seven months since Hurricane Helene wreaked havoc in Western North Carolina. Many affected businesses have found refuge at the equestrian center, which has become a critical hub in the recovery effort. 

WNC Main Street comprises roughly two dozen businesses displaced by Helene from Asheville, Hendersonville, Lake Lure, and Hendersonville, who now operate out of the second floor of TIEC’s International Pavillion. The businesses are open Wednesday, Thursday, and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with extended hours on Friday and Saturday to 7 p.m., offering a variety of art and merchandise.

“It’s invaluable to have the Governor’s team here,” said Sharon Decker, President of Tryon Equestrian Partners and a member of the Governor’s Rebuilding Western North Carolina Advisory Committee. “Seeing the destruction firsthand puts everything into perspective. We are grateful that they’ve come to hear the stories of our retailers who have managed to stay in business during this transition. Their presence provides hope as we work toward returning these businesses to their original locations.”

Matt Calabria, Director of the Governor’s Recovery Office for Western North Carolina, emphasized the importance of community engagement. 

“Being present in the community allows us to listen to people’s challenges and successes. This feedback helps us develop responsive policies that truly address their needs,” he remarked.

Since its establishment earlier this year, the recovery office has acted as a “nerve center” for coordinating responses with state agencies. Calabria shared that the Governor’s office has implemented a small business grants program to provide the resources necessary for a successful recovery and that approximately 95% of state roads have been repaired and are back in operation. And 

Business owners expressed gratitude for the visit. They shared their experiences cleaning up debris and mud and applying for grants to rebuild their businesses. Calabria added that direct outreach is crucial in understanding the community’s needs post-Hurricane Helene.

“Our ultimate goal is to strengthen the economy and help it bounce back even more robustly than before,” Calabria said. “The resilience of the small business owners we’ve met here is inspiring and pivotal in shaping our recovery efforts.”

While some business owners remain hopeful of reopening their establishments in Chimney Rock and Lake Lure soon, they acknowledge it may take time before the area resembles its pre-Hurricane Helene state. The commitment to rebuilding and recovery remains a priority for local businesses and state officials.