What May Brought: WNC Recovery News and Updates

Western North Carolina kept moving forward in May, and there were some meaningful moments worth highlighting. From a community-organized resource fair in Swannanoa to a national award for an Asheville restaurant to a significant arts grant, here is a look at what was happening across the region this month.

Swannanoa Community Hosts Emergency Preparedness Fair

More than 300 people attended the Emergency Preparedness Fair organized by volunteers through the Swannanoa Grassroots Alliance, held to bolster awareness about ongoing recovery programs, available emergency resources, and to strengthen community connections.

Nineteen organizations staffed resource tables, handing out emergency preparedness flyers, sharing environmental resources, offering local news updates, and more. Donated raffle items included backup charging stations, a portable solar panel power station, emergency radios, water filters, and safety tubes. Local partners like Buncombe County Government and partner nonprofit organizations supported printing, loaned tables and microphones, and interpretation services were provided.

Organizers also arranged for meals to be served. Local restaurant Defiance Cafe served 150 meals, and Food Connection sent attendees home with another 300 portable meals to go.

The Swannanoa Grassroots Alliance is looking forward to sharing what they learned to help other communities host similar events. If you are interested in organizing something like this in your area, visit the Swannanoa Grassroots Alliance for more information. A follow-up community event, "Swannanoa: Know Your Risks," was also scheduled for May 30th.

Corner Kitchen Wins National Small Business Disaster Recovery Award

The Corner Kitchen in Asheville, owned by Kevin Westmoreland and Joe Scully, received one of the highest honors a small business can earn. During National Small Business Week, the restaurant was awarded the national SBA Phoenix Award for Small Business Disaster Recovery, recognizing extraordinary resilience and recovery following disaster.

It is a well-deserved recognition for a business that kept showing up for its community through one of the most difficult seasons our region has faced.

Center for Craft Receives $425,000 Mellon Foundation Grant

The Center for Craft in Asheville was awarded a $425,000 grant from the Mellon Foundation to preserve craft histories and expand public access to their archives. It is a significant investment in protecting and sharing the creative heritage that has long defined this region.

If you are in Asheville, their current exhibition, Craft-itarianism, is running through September 27, 2026, at 67 Broadway Street. Gallery hours are Monday through Saturday, 10am to 6pm. It is worth a visit.

More Is Coming

These are just a few of the stories coming out of WNC this May. Recovery is continuing across the region in ways large and small, and there are people and organizations doing meaningful work every single day.

To follow more recovery stories and stay up to date on what's happening on the ground, visit the Governor's Recovery Office at wncrecovery.nc.gov/recovery-stories.

Western North Carolina is open, and there are real ways to support it right now. Which of these updates is most relevant to your community or work? I would love to hear what you are seeing on the ground.

With gratitude and hope,

Sharon