Regional survey finds WNC businesses lost an average of $322,000 during Helene

Regional survey finds WNC businesses lost an average of $322,000 during Helene

A Mountain BizWorks survey of 700 small businesses across 23 Western North Carolina counties found an average economic loss of $322,000 per business due to Hurricane Helene. Total damages topped $188 million, with 83% reporting temporary closures. Tourism and hospitality remain hardest hit, though signs of recovery are emerging.