Downtown Hendersonville Opportunity Fund
Funded by a grant from the Dogwood Health Trust, the Downtown Hendersonville Opportunity Fund was created in response to the needs of local small businesses and entrepreneurs in the area, particularly those who are interested in opening a business in the Main Street and 7th Avenue Districts that make up Historic Downtown Hendersonville. The program aims to support entrepreneurs at different stages of business - from idea to growth - by providing training, technical assistance and access to loan capital.
The Downtown Hendersonville Opportunity Fund includes support for entrepreneurs interested in launching or growing their downtown Hendersonville businesses. Training and program offerings are available to anyone, however there is focused outreach to low-to-moderate income residents, women, and people of color, paying close attention to the 7th Avenue District which was historically a hub of Black-owned businesses.
Upcoming Trainings & Events
Fall Foundations Business Planning Course
Foundations business planning course helps guide ideas from concept to reality in a participatory, supportive learning environment.
Join a cohort of aspiring and existing entrepreneurs to gain an aerial perspective of your vision and the comprehensive business skills necessary to help bring your visions into reality. Participants will gain a clear aerial perspective of their business operations, financials, research and development, and marketing strategies. They will leave the course with a comprehensive business plan, a clear vision for their business, and concrete tasks for future work.
Throughout the course, emphasis will be placed on developing the social capital of the group. Participants will be encouraged to gather feedback from their peers, creating a strong network of deep support and synergy. For more info, visit the Foundations Business Planning overview page.
If you have any questions please contact Holly Rivers holly@mountainbizworks.org.
Monthly Events & FREE Networking!
- Business Morning Update - Monthly on the 2nd Wednesday at 8am at the Elks Lodge. Hear from local leaders in manufacturing, unique businesses, nonprofits and government updates every month.
- Business Lunch @ Daddy D's Suber Soulfood - Every month on the 3rd Wednesday at 11am. Lunch on us!
FREE virtual and in-person small business classes at the Small Business Center:
(* = in person)
August
Aug 13: Build Your Business with Facebook (Part 1 of 2)
Aug 14: How To Sell More Without Selling Out: Mindset, Strategies, & Scripts for More Sales
Aug 15: Getting Started with eCommerce
Aug 20: Build Your Business with Facebook (Part 2 of 2)
Aug 21: Cybersecurity and Risk Management Basics for Every Business Owner (Part 1 of 2)
Aug 27: SBC Resources for Business Start Up and Growth
Aug 28: Cybersecurity and Risk Management Basics for Every Business Owner (Part 2 of 2)
Aug 29: How to Grow Your Email List with Powerful but Simple Strategies
September
Sept 3: Market Your Business with YouTube (Part 1 of 2)
Sept 10: Market Your Business with YouTube (Part 2 of 2)
Sept 11: How to Find Your Customers
Sept 11: Effective Strategies to Create & Grow Consistent Income
Sept 12: Blogging For WordPress & Beyond
Sept 14: Create Your Business Success Plan-(In Person Workshop)
Sept 17: Build Your Business with Instagram (Part 1 of 2)
Sept 18: Financing Your Business
Sept 24: Build Your Business with Instagram (Part 2 of 2)
Sept 25: Best Free and Low-Cost Marketing for 2024
Sept 26: QuickBooks
October
Oct 1: Using Analytics to Develop Your Business Platform
Oct 2: 28 Ideas to Light Up Your Holiday Marketing
Oct 5: Create Your Brand (Part 1 of 2)
Oct 8: Basics of Bookkeeping
Oct 12: Create Your Brand (Part 2 of 2)
Oct 15: Your Small Business Taxes
Oct 16: Ai Video Creation Simplified: Revolutionizing Digital Storytelling
Oct 16: Attract New Customers to Your Business Through Google My Business
Oct 22: Craft the Perfect Message in the Blink of an “AI”
Oct 29: Did AI Do That!? How to Build an ENTIRE Marketing Campaign in Minutes
November
Nov 2: Ice House Entrepreneurial Mindset Program (In-Person Workshop)
Nov 2: Market Your Brand (Part 1 of 2)
Nov 6: Exploring Your Dream Farm & Setting Goals
Nov 9: Market Your Brand (Part 2 of 2)(Online)
Nov 12: Using LinkedIn to Generate New Business (Part 1 of 2)
Nov 13: Content Creation Accelerator: Harnessing the Combined Power of Canva & ChatGPT
Nov 13: How to Create and Present a Winning Business Pitch
Nov 19: Using LinkedIn to Generate New Business (Part 2 of 2)
December
Dec 3: Automation: Take Your Business to the Next Level (Part 1 of 2)
Dec 6: Automation: Take Your Business to the Next Level (Part 2 of 2)
Who can participate?
Loan Capital
The centerpoint of the Downtown Opportunity Fund is a small business loan program in partnership with Mountain BizWorks to provide loan capital for businesses that are not otherwise eligible for traditional bank financing.
Trainings & Classes
A variety of training and classes are offered for any business to participate free of charge. Some trainings with a cost associated with them will have scholarship eligibility as noted on the classes or programs.
Networking & Cohort w/ Black Wall Street AVL
In order to help connect with historically underutilized businesses, program partners Black Wall Street will provide an important connector between resources available. BWS AVL utilizes a ‘family’ model for new entrepreneurs of color in order to increase accountability and camaraderie among new business owners. Entrepreneurs of color who live in Hendersonville City Limits or are interested in opening a business in Downtown Hendersonville will be eligible for free or reduced membership to Black Wall Street AVL.
Why a Loan Fund?
Hendersonville recognizes that the strength of our economy is built on small businesses. We want to continue to encourage new innovation, expanding our reach, unique and authentic experiences
Startup small businesses cannot get funding from a traditional bank :
- To fund a new business, people use:
- Down payment
- Home equity
- Credit card
- What is a CDFI?
Community Development Financial Institutions exist to provide access to credit and other services that contribute to the economic stabilization of families and communities. Mountain BizWorks is one of nearly 1,300 CDFIs operating in the US—200 being in the Southeast and only 16 in North Carolina. Find out more about Mountain BizWorks here.
Program Partners
Mountain BizWorks’ mission is to build a vibrant and inclusive entrepreneurial community in Western North Carolina by helping small businesses start, grow, and thrive. When small businesses succeed, we all prosper.
Black Wall Street AVL was started during the middle of the pandemic in 2020, as a way to help grow and support local Black Businesses in the wake of the tragic George Floyd murders. As gentrification has continued to impact our community, we recognize the need for a dedicated space where Black business owners could come together and receive the support and resources they need to keep thriving.
Blue Ridge Community College Small Business Center supports the development of new businesses and the growth of existing businesses by being a community-based provider of training, counseling, and resource information.
Dogwood Health Trust is a private foundation based in Asheville, North Carolina with the sole purpose of dramatically improving the health and wellbeing of all people and communities of 18 counties and the Qualla Boundary in Western North Carolina. Dogwood Health Trust focuses on innovative and equitable ways to address the many factors that contribute to overall health and wellbeing. With a focus on housing, education, economic opportunity and health and wellness, Dogwood Health Trust works to create a Western North Carolina where every generation can live, learn, earn and thrive, with dignity and opportunity for all, no exceptions. To learn more, please visit www.dht.org.
Program Partners:
