Region A.H.E.A.D. Small Business Flood Recovery Relief

Many small businesses in Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia were devastated by 100-year flood from Hurricane Helene on September 27th.

The same trusted organization of businesses, non-profits, chambers, economic development and individuals who raised more than $250,000 for grants to small businesses to recover from COVID is now out to donate, volunteer and demonstrate the compassion that makes our region truly blessed.

As we begin the process of accessing the damage and how we all can help, this website is here to provide links for individual and corporate donations to benefit small businesses through grants to businesses who apply. The donations to fund those grants can be made to the following counties by entering your desired destination in the comment field of the donation page:

Northeast Tennessee Counties

  • Carter
  • Greene
  • Hancock
  • Hawkins
  • Johnson
  • Sullivan
  • Unicoi
  • Washington 

Southwest Virginia Counties

  • Buchanan
  • Dickenson
  • Lee
  • Russell
  • Scott
  • Smyth
  • Tazewell
  • Washington
  • Wise
Arial photo of I26 damage in Erwin, TN Unicoi County

I-26 bridge destroyed near Ballad hospital in Erwin where helicopters made lifesaving rescues. Courtesy of Johnson City Aerial Photography.

For Individuals

You can designate which Tennessee or Virginia county that your donation will go toward or donate to a general fund to be shared with all affected counties. Your donation will be administered by the First Tennessee Development District Foundation.

We will soon add a downloadable grant application for small businesses affected by the flood. Please share this website and link to grant applications with affected small businesses. A Region A.H.E.A.D. Committee review all grant applications and award grant amounts based on need and donated funds available.

For now, demonstrate your support through your donation.

I want to…

Donate Financially

100% of all proceeds go towards supporting our region.

Other Ways To Be Involved

For Businesses

It is our desire to provide support to small businesses and sole proprietorships in the arts/entertainment/ recreation, accommodation and food services, retail trade, and manufacturing sectors.

You are eligible to apply for funding from the Flood Local Business Recovery Fund if you are an existing business whose operations have been severly impacted by the September 2024 flood.

We serve the counties of Carter, Greene, Hancock, Hawkins, Johnson, Sullivan, Unicoi and Washington Counties in TN and Buchanan, Dickenson, Lee, Russell, Scott, Smyth, Tazewell, Washington and Wise Counties along with the independent cities of Bristol and Norton in Virginia.

Online Grant Application for Businesses
Download Grant Application for Businesses
Upload a Completed Offline (PDF) Application