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Region AHEAD wrapped up its flood recovery effort by providing 67 small business owners with grant funding to support their recovery from the historic September floods. The campaign raised more than $800,000 to rebuild businesses most impacted by the flooding in Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia.

“I want to thank the many corporations and individuals who gave their donations to this important effort,” says Andy Dietrich, Region AHEAD chairman. “Their response helped us quickly begin to get checks to some heartbroken business owners who were determined to build back and continue to employ their workers for years ahead.”

“Our organization wishes to also thank the many economic development organizations, and elected officials in the region for supporting our flood recovery project that sparked donations and saw so many grant applications being fulfilled,” says Lottie Ryans, Director of Workforce & Literacy Initiatives, First TN Development District, whose foundation administered the grants to small business owners.

“Bravo to the many media outlets in the region who embraced our cause and generously donated their airtime, print, and social media to get the word out and regularly update as many people as possible on our progress,” says Tony Treadway, President of Creative Energy. “A big thank you is warranted to Tony Treadway and his team at Creative Energy for helping us get the word out about this worthy cause by creating heart wrenching commercials and marketing materials,” says Dietrich.

Grant applications were reviewed by a committee based on the economic needs and flood impact in four rounds of reviews. In the most recent and final round, 27 applications were awarded amounting to $254,322.45.

Small businesses were located in Carter, Greene, Hancock, Hawkins, Johnson, Sullivan, Unicoi, and Washington counties. In Southwest Virginia, counties including Buchanan, Dickenson, Lee, Russell, Scott, Smyth, Tazewell, Washington and Wise, were eligible for flood recovery grants.

“Some of the best moments of my year were to meet those small business owners to share some hope for their future with one of our grant application checks,” says Bob Cantler, President & CEO, Johnson City, Jonesborough, Washington County Chamber of Commerce.

“Our Region AHEAD team worked tirelessly to raise funds, share information, evaluate needs, and distribute funds across multiple counties in Tennessee and Virginia. I’m proud to have worked with this team of professionals,” explained Beth Rhinehart, President & CEO, Bristol TN/VA Chamber of Commerce.

The Region AHEAD team included the Bristol Tennessee/Virginia Chamber of Commerce, Elizabethton/Carter County Chamber of Commerce, First Tennessee Development District, Greene County Partnership, Johnson City, Jonesborough Washington County Chamber of Commerce, Kingsport Chamber, Unicoi County Chamber of Commerce, and Creative Energy.

“The Region AHEAD team now concludes its second campaign supporting small businesses. First, we raised more than $250,000 to help small businesses recover from the COVID pandemic. Then, we reorganized to help small business owners recover from the flood with more than $800,000 in checks handed out,” says Andy Dietrich. “I loved the passion of our team toward positively impacting so many lives by saving small businesses here. Hopefully, this will be our last campaign, unless the need arises once more.”