Small Businesses, Big Heart: Celebrating One Year of Community Resilience after Hurricane Helene

As we mark the one-year anniversary of Hurricane Helene, Optimum proudly honors the incredible resilience of the Hendersonville community – especially the small businesses that persevered through the recovery. 

Optimum celebrates 90 local businesses that faced significant challenges and losses yet demonstrated remarkable strength. Thanks to support from the Love Hendo Recovery Fund – a vital resource driving relief efforts – these businesses are back on their feet. Optimum was a proud donor following last year’s devastation, contributing over $125,000 to aid in their recovery and directly funding 38 of the 90 businesses. 

Among the recipients of these grants are inspiring community pillars – a local girls’ summer camp, an apple farmer, a beloved coffee shop, several cherished restaurants and bakeries, a pet boutique and training center, and many more. Grant recipients shared words of gratitude highlighting how much Optimum’s support meant to their business. 

“Hurricane Helene was devastating for our farm and our retail establishment. Funds from the Love Hendo Grant Program enabled us to maintain operations at the retail store and helped jumpstart our efforts to rebuild our farm,” said Stacy Fields, Ini Batch Bakery and Raspberry Field Farms. 

“Love Hendo Grant Funds were instrumental to our recovery, and especially the rebuilding of our camp office. Thanks to that assistance we were able to have a stellar, and full, 2025 Summer Camp Season,” said Garrett Graham, Camp Glen Arden. 

These businesses are more than just economic engines – they are places where neighbors gather, friendships are forged, and local culture is nurtured. The success of these businesses is a testament to the power of community and collective strength.

As we reflect on the past year, we celebrate not only the recovery but the enduring spirit of the Hendersonville community. Together, we are rebuilding, stronger and more united than ever.

Optimum will honor all grant recipients alongside the Henderson County Chamber of Commerce, Henderson County Partnership for Economic Development, Henderson County TDA, Friends of Downtown, the Community Foundation of Henderson County and Blue Ridge Community College on Thursday, September 25.  Additional event details can be found here.

Jessica Gebhardt

Vice President, General Manager of Optimum Mid Atlantic