Mayland Business Institute (Bakersville Small Business Center)

We, in the Southern Appalachians are a strong, proud mountain people who don’t ask for handouts, but we just cannot do it ourselves. Mitchell County has lost whole families. Many others have watched as their homes and businesses were consumed by our rivers and streams. The Mayland Business Institute, a 501c3 nonprofit has set up the " Individual and Family Recovery Fund" to help meet the essential personal needs of our citizens as we start into the winter months. Our goal is to provide ongoing assistance with food, clothing, shelter, and, transportation to all who have suffered losses in the recent disaster. Please help us provide these essentials to as many as possible in Mitchell County, North Carolina.

REBUILDING BAKERSVILLE AREA AND NORTHERN MITCHELL COUNTY BUSINESSES

We are Steve and Sharon Runion Rowland from Bakersville, NC, a rural town of 450 residents in the mountains of Western North Carolina. Sharon grew up here. Working with others, we support businesses in northern Mitchell County through the Bakersville Area Merchants’ Association.

Now we are inviting you and your friends to join forces with us to help the Bakersville Area and Northern County businesses rebuild after the devastation from the aftermath of Hurricane Helene! We are a strong, proud, mountain people who don’t ask for handouts, but we just cannot build back by ourselves.

There are no words to describe that aftermath. Many businesses have lost everything! Every business on Crimson Laurel Way had five feet of water in it. Many of those on the river lost their buildings, equipment, and inventory. The three newest businesses have severe flooding damage. Almost all will have to rebuild.

No one had flood insurance; the purpose of FEMA is not to support businesses, it supports living quarters. Not everyone can afford loans to rebuild. One board member said, “We are all hurting and we need help,” and another said, “If we get some resources, we will try to rebuild.”

The supporting 501(c)(3) is the Mayland Business Institute and its partner is the Bakersville Area Merchants Association (a 501(c)(6)). This fund is designed to help any business in the target area, regardless of location or membership.

100% of the tax-deductible donations will be distributed locally by the combined Board of Directors of the Institute and the Bakersville Area Merchants’ Association through applications. We look forward to partnering with you. Our pledge is to ensure that your gift is placed where you wish. Priority will be given to any businesses for assistance in cleanup and in building back.

If you have questions, please contact the Bakersville Area Merchants’ Association and/or Institute through our Facebook page (@AreaofBakersvilleMerchants). We will respond as quickly as possible to your request because our area needs your gifts, however small or large.