Beginning Nov. 18 through Nov. 22, small businesses in disaster-declared communities in Western North Carolina will be eligible to apply for grants to meet urgent needs, such as payroll, rent or replacing equipment or tools. The fund will award 100 $20,000 grants, a $2 million investment in area small businesses. A large portion of Western North Carolina's economy relies on small businesses that support the region's thriving tourism, agriculture and artisan industries. "The economic toll of Hurricane Helene ...