Asheville Reporter

Sen. Chuck Edwards (R-Henderson) has joined forces with several local leaders to create the Buncombe County Jobs Recovery Act. 

According to his district website, in collaboration with Buncombe County Commissioner and TDA board Member Joe Belcher, and TDA board chairman Gary Froeba, Edwards has decided to take action to ensure that the county’s tourism and critical jobs are able to return healthily after COVID-19. 

The recovery legislation is called Buncombe County Tourism Jobs Recovery Act and is planning on helping tourism-related jobs that are experiencing challenges due to the stay-at-home order and subsequent drought of tourism-related revenue, according to his district website. The fund will provide $5 million in emergency grant funding, for those tourism-related small businesses as well as non-profit organizations. 

Applicants who are chosen can receive $50,000 to be applied to the restart of their enterprises after reopening begins, according to the website. 

“This collaborative effort on the part of the Buncombe County tourist industry and Asheville/Buncombe Hoteliers is one of the most generous, selfless acts I have witnessed coming out of this crisis,” Edwards said on his website. “For them to dedicate funding to help other businesses, funding that would otherwise go to promote their own- shows their sincerity and commitment to our community.”

The bill is focused on helping the local businesses in Buncombe back on their feet with the assistance of local government stimulus initiatives.

“It provides much-needed financial support for the small businesses that are the lifeblood of the Buncombe County visitor economy,” Edwards said on his website. 

In order for businesses to qualify, they need to give their guests a direct experience, such as restaurants, wineries, breweries, entertainment or event venues, according to the website. Lodging properties are currently not allowed to apply for the funds. Priority will be given to businesses that are both locally and independently owned.