The Blue Ridge National Heritage Area continues to promote the Artist Relief Fund for those impacted by Hurricane Helene. They’ve teamed up with NC Arts Foundation to provide $500 stipends to artists, musicians, and performers throughout Western North Carolina, aiding those who lost personal property, studio/business space, work, gigs, or artwork/instruments. The application period is open until March 15th. Apply here.
A partnership with US Lenovo and Institute Capital to provide financial relief to minority and women owned businesses in Western North Carolina impacted by Hurricane Helene. The business must be registered and operational for at least one year before Hurricane Helene. Grant amount range from 55,000 – 910,000. The award amount will be based on year over year revenue (loss) comparison between 2023 and 2024. Priority will be given to businesses with substantial documented losses and demonstrate a strong ability to recover with financial support. Additional site visits will be conducted if necessary for verification. Apply here: nimed.tfaforms.net/39
Dogwood Health Trust has invested $40 million to establish the WNC Affordable Housing Loan Fund in partnership with Self-Help Ventures Fund, supporting the creation and preservation of affordable housing across Western North Carolina. The fund will provide loans to nonprofit and for-profit developers, prioritizing households earning 80% or less of the area median income. This investment is expected to leverage an additional $150 million and create or preserve 1,000 affordable housing units. The need for affordable housing has grown even more urgent after Hurricane Helene, which devastated thousands of homes. This fund will help local developers expand housing access in both urban and rural areas. Learn more here or contact Self-Help Ventures Fund at multifamilyloans@self-help.org. For more on Dogwood Health Trust, visit www.dht.org, and explore Self-Help’s initiatives at www.self-help.org.
Happenings:
At the State of Downtown event on March 18, you’ll hear important updates from the Asheville Downtown Association, Mayor Esther Manheimer, and ADID leader Christian Martin. Register by Friday, March 14th, and use the code MARCH10 for $10 off. Scholarship tickets are also available -email info@ashevilledowntown.org for more info. Get your ticket here.
Pisgah Legal Services and Legal Aid of North Carolina are hosting a free “Ask a Lawyer for Free” legal clinic on Monday, March 17, at A-B Tech Community College’s Ferguson Auditorium (19 Tech Drive, Asheville) from 12 PM – 6 PM. No appointment is needed—walk-ins are welcome and will be served on a first-come, first-served basis. Attorneys and volunteers will provide free legal assistance with FEMA applications and appeals, insurance disputes, housing issues, debt concerns, and fraud prevention. More information and tips for applying can be found at www.pisgahlegal.org/fema. For more about Pisgah Legal Services and their work in Western North Carolina, visit www.pisgahlegal.org.
NC Tri-Share Week will run from Monday, March 17 – Friday, March 21, 2025 to raise awareness about and increase employer participation in NC Tri-Share, an innovative model led by Smart Start that helps significantly reduce the cost of child care tuition for eligible workers in our state, which can help working parents of young children remain in the workforce. NC Tri-Share Week will feature in-person and online discovery events to help employers and stakeholders from across our state to learn more about how to participate in this rewarding initiative. Monday, March 17 | 10 – 11:30 AM – Henderson County – REGISTER HERE. Children and Family Resource Center, 851 Case St., Hendersonville, NC 28792NC Tri-Share Week Virtual Information Sessions will also be available daily from Monday, March 17 – Thursday, March 20, 2025 from 1 – 2:30 PM. Attendees can register for a virtual session here.
Published:
Smokies Life has expanded access to one of the most compelling conservationist biographies with the release of George Masa: A Life Reimagined in e-book format. Originally published in paperback in September 2024, this comprehensive biography explores the life and legacy of Japanese photographer George Masa, whose artistry and advocacy played a crucial role in the establishment of Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the Appalachian Trail. Coauthored by Cornell University librarian Janet McCue and documentary filmmaker Paul Bonesteel, the book uncovers Masa’s profound connection to the mountainous landscapes he captured, as well as the personal and societal struggles he faced. Now available for $14.99 on all major digital book platforms, including Kindle, Kobo, and Apple Books, the e-book edition features over 75 color images that bring Masa’s story to life. Learn more and purchase your copy at SmokiesLife.org/george-masa-a-life-reimagined. For more information about Smokies Life and its mission to preserve the Great Smoky Mountains, visit SmokiesLife.org.
Recognition:
UNC Asheville has been designated a Research Colleges and Universities institution by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education, recognizing its significant undergraduate research activity. The university exceeded $6.7 million in research expenditures in 2023, placing it among North Carolina’s leading non-doctoral institutions. UNC Asheville’s Undergraduate Research Program, nationally recognized by U.S. News & World Report, continues to be a cornerstone of its academic experience.