Greenville Businesses Seek Federal Aid Following Tropical Storm Helene’s Destruction

Greenville Businesses Turn to Aid in Tropical Storm Helene’s Aftermath

In the wake of Tropical Storm Helene’s sweeping damage across the city of Greenville, local businesses are turning to federal assistance for help. Damages faced by the businesses in the form of uninsured losses, power outages, and physical damage are now being addressed with the help of Federal and State aid organizations.

SBA and FEMA Reach Out To Help Local Businesses

Among the businesses affected, the Swamp Rabbit Cafe and Grocery stands out. Not only did the store bear the brunt of the storm through major flood damages and power outages, but it also suffered an unfortunate bout of robbery with the theft of its power generators.

However, hope is far from lost for this local staple. Isabel Guzman, administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA), visited the establishment on October 8, exploring the extent of the damages and the avenues the administration could explore to help them recover. According to the owners, having Guzman on site was a great help, especially as they didn’t know much about the financial assistance available to them. The SBA opened its avenues to assist businesses suffering physical or financial losses from the storm.

Locals Extending a Hand

In the face of this natural disaster, community ties within Spartanburg remain unbroken. Rockers Brewing Co. and Restaurant, another business that suffered losses due to Helene, set up a food truck to utilize the food that could have otherwise gone bad. Despite a week-long power outage that disrupted their regular services, the owner maintains an optimistic outlook, recognizing that others in the community had it worse.

OneSpartanburg, the Chamber of Commerce for Spartanburg County, is funneling efforts towards helping locals connect with disaster relief. CEO, Allen Smith, voiced his confidence that the local business landscape would weather the storm, much like it did during the COVID-19 pandemic. Encouraging businesses to tap into the resources provided by the federal government, he showed optimism for the city’s recovery.

Seeking a Bigger, Better Tomorrow

The aftermath of Tropical Storm Helene isn’t all bleak. The city isn’t standing still, but looking forward, considering solutions to forestall future damages of this kind. It’s been suggested that perhaps the power lines be buried to mitigate future outages. While the recovery continues, these discussions hint towards a tempered optimism for a more disaster-resistant future.