Business

Optimum's $125,000 check boosts Love Hendo fund

Sagar Bhika of Optimum presents check to the Love Hendo fund to help small businesses recover from Hurricane Helene damage. [MARY SHELTON/Hendersonville Lightning]

By Mary Shelton, Published: November 23, 2024

The once-a-month Business After Hours social of the Henderson County Chamber of Commerce took on a lighter atmosphere at Trailside Brewing Co. amid Hurricane Helene recovery Thursday night.

The chamber partnered with the Community Foundation of Henderson County, Tourism Development Authority, Partnership for Economic Development, Blue Ridge Community College Small Business Center and the Friends of Downtown Hendersonville to host the Business After Hours: LoveHendo Edition.

The highlight of the night was the presentation of a $125,000 donation to the LoveHendo Business Recovery Fund by Optimum, the phone and internet provider. The contribution will help fund small business grants as many owners are still trying pay for repairs and recover from lost revenue post-Helene. Originally created to meet the needs of local businesses after Covid-19, the LoveHendo fund has been refocused on hurricane recovery.

“Local businesses are the life-blood of our community,” Hendersonville Mayor Barbara Volk said. “We have those big-box stores, but many of our businesses are local, and we have got to be there for them.”

The special edition of Business After Hours featured live music from The Big Hungry and teams of “celebrity bartenders,” including Hendersonville City Manager John Connet and City Council member Jennifer Hensley, competing to raise the most tips for the LoveHendo fund.

Chamber President Bob Williford sent a simple and hopeful message to small businesses in Hendersonville: hang in there. There are grants at the local and state level intended to help small businesses keep their doors open post-Helene, Williford said.

To donate to the LoveHendo Business Recovery Fund visit the Henderson County Chamber of Commerce website.