Community Rallying Together Raises Over $300,000 for Flood Recovery Grants in Northeast Tennessee

Johnson City, Tenn.

Exciting news is buzzing around town as just a week after a devastating flood hit Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia, the community has stepped up in a big way to support local small business owners. Region AHEAD, a group dedicated to aiding the economic recovery of this area, has already managed to raise over $300,000 in donations and pledges. To make things even more accessible, the organization has opened up its portal for businesses to apply for recovery grants.

The flood, which swept through on September 27, wreaked havoc on local businesses that were already struggling to cope with the impacts of COVID-19. But thanks to the quick and generous actions of individuals and companies alike, hope is on the horizon for many owners. Andy Dietrich, the founder and chairman of Region AHEAD, shared an optimistic message: “Our organization has solicited donations and prepared a grant application process to share funds for small business owners as quickly as possible. Those in need can now simply go to RegionAhead.com and begin their path to recovery.”

How to Apply for Grants

If you’re a small business owner looking for assistance, applying for a grant is easy. Just hop on over to RegionAhead.com where you can either fill out the application online or download a form to complete and upload later. The objective here is to streamline the process so help can get to those who need it without unnecessary delays.

From COVID Relief to Flood Recovery

Region AHEAD initially formed to promote small businesses that remained open during the pandemic, and it has since evolved into a vital fundraising organization providing much-needed aid to local business owners. As Lottie Ryans, Director of Workforce & Literacy Initiatives for the First Tennessee Development District (FTDD), put it: “The response by individual donors and corporations and utilities has been gratifying.”

BrightRidge, a local utility and broadband provider, jumped in quickly, donating a substantial $150,000 to kick off the community’s recovery efforts. Other individuals and corporations can also contribute at RegionAhead.com, with the option to designate specific counties their donations will support or contribute to a general fund benefiting businesses across the entire region. The counties involved extend across both Tennessee and Virginia, ensuring that as many businesses can be helped as possible.

Why This Matters

According to Beth Rhinehart, President and CEO of the Bristol Tennessee and Virginia Chamber of Commerce, the need is immense, comparable only to the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina. This underscores how vital it is to rally together as a community. “Everyone needs to donate to the fund now,” she emphasized. The original members of Region AHEAD include key local organizations and chambers of commerce, all determined to help restore hope to the region’s economy.

Focused Support

As Miles Burdine, President and CEO of the Kingsport Chamber, noted, the grants aim to assist essential sectors like tourism, accommodations, food service, retail trade, and manufacturing. “Our grants are intended to provide recovery funds to key industries of our region,” he explained.

Region AHEAD is making a remarkable effort to ensure that businesses impacted by the flood can have a shot at recovery. So if you know someone who could benefit from the grant, encourage them to check out the website for details and submit their application. And to those who have already supported this cause with donations, thank you for being a part of the solution and for giving hope to small business owners during this challenging time.

To make a difference, whether you’re looking to donate or apply for a grant, visit RegionAhead.com. Together, we can pave the way for a brighter future for our local businesses!