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New fund aims to support small businesses, entrepreneurs in Hendersonville


May 9, 2023 - The Downtown Hendersonville Opportunity Fund's main goal is to support people interested in opening a business in the Main Street and 7th Avenue Districts, especially low-income residents, women and people of color. (Photo credit: WLOS Staff)
May 9, 2023 - The Downtown Hendersonville Opportunity Fund's main goal is to support people interested in opening a business in the Main Street and 7th Avenue Districts, especially low-income residents, women and people of color. (Photo credit: WLOS Staff)
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A new fund in Hendersonville is aiming to support small businesses and entrepreneurs in the area.

It’s called the Downtown Hendersonville Opportunity Fund and its main goal is to support people interested in opening a business in the Main Street and 7th Avenue Districts.

The money can also be used for those trying to grow an already existing business.

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Another goal is to reach low-income residents, women and people of color -- groups that tend to have a harder time starting and sustaining business.

“I don’t think it’s intentional, maybe but - systemic racism does exist towards minorities and women-owned businesses, so it does make it difficult as far as getting loans or even opening up your business and drawing a crowd in to support your business”, says local small business owner Melinda Lowrance.

This fund is a partnership involving City of Hendersonville Downtown Program, Mountain BizWorks, Black Wall Street AVL and the Small Business Center at Blue Ridge Community College.

Blue Ridge Community College Small Business Center will hold classes and training sessions on this program starting May 11 and going through mid-July. The schedule is planned as below:

  • May 11 - 5:30pm - 7:30pm - How to Start a Business in the Summer of 2023 - Blue Ridge Community College Small Business Center - Free - (RSVP Required)
  • May 23 - 9 - 11 a.m. – Commercial Real Estate: Financing for BIPOC Entrepreneurs with Mountain BizWorks and Partners in Equity at Daddy D’s Suber Soulfood – free breakfast and informational session (RSVP Required)
  • June 8 - 10am - 11am (Virtual) Commercial Real Estate 101: From Contracts to Closings (RSVP Required)
  • June 9 - 10am - 11am (Virtual) Commercial Leasing 101: Empowering Tenants through Lease Negotiation (RSVP Required)
  • June 12 -5:30pm - 7:30 pm How to Create and Present a Winning Business Pitch - Blue Ridge Community College Small Business Center - Free - (RSVP Required)
  • June 13 - 5:30pm - 7:30 pm - Financing Your Business - Blue Ridge Community College Small Business Center - Free - (RSVP Required)
  • June 15 - 5:30pm - 7:30 pm - Best Free and Low-Cost Marketing for 2023 - Blue Ridge Community College Small Business Center - Free - (RSVP Required)
  • July 18 – Evenings for 6 Weeks - Mountain BizWorks Foundations Course - Join a cohort of aspiring and existing entrepreneurs to gain all of the foundational business skills needed to turn your business dream into a reality. Qualifying residents may receive a scholarship up to 90% of the course cost. (More information & Register Here)

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The Hendersonville Opportunity Fund is funded through a grant from Dogwood Health Trust. CLICK HERE for more information.

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