Region A.H.E.A.D. Activates For Donations To Small Businesses Affected By September Flood
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Media Contact:
Andy Dietrich
Tele: (423) 534-8888
E-Mail: adietrich@championjc.com
Region A.H.E.A.D. Activates For Donations To Small Businesses Affected By September Flood
(Johnson City, TN) – A trusted organization that raised more than $250,000 in grants to small businesses in the region severely affected by COVID has reactivated to do the same for small businesses devastated by the September 27th flood in Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia.
“Our organization is heart broken by the destruction to families and small businesses by the flood that is still being assessed by emergency relief organizations is so many counties,” says Region A.H.E.A.D. founder and chairman Andy Dietrich. “We gathered on the morning after the flood to rally again to help our hard-working small business owners begin their path to recovery.”
During the pandemic, Region A.H.E.A.D. (Appalachian Highlands Economic Aid Directory) began to inform consumers of small businesses that remained open during COVID, then evolved into a fundraising organization providing grants to Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia small business owners who applied.
“We wholeheartedly support this new and important mission for Region A.H.E.A.D.,” says Lottie Ryans, Director of Workforce & Literacy Initiatives for the First Tennessee Development District (FTDD). Corporate and individual donations to the Region A.H.E.A.D. fund will be administered through the FTDD Foundation.
Financial support for the flood relief recovery fund has already begun. The Joe and Jessi Baker Foundation have agreed to donate along with Champion Chevrolet, GMC Cadillac has pledged $10,000. Other foundations, civic and religious organizations, as well as corporations and individuals can donate now at RegionAhead.com.
Counties where donations can support small businesses include Carter, Greene, Hancock, Hawkins, Johnson, Sullivan, Unicoi and Washington counties. In Southwest Virginia, counties include Buchanan, Dickenson, Lee, Russell, Scott, Smyth, Tazewell and Washington.
Donors can designate which county their dollars will support local small business recovery, or donors can contribute to a general fund that will support small businesses across the region.
Beth Rhinehart, President and CEO of the Bristol Tennessee and Virginia Chamber of Commerce, says the impact to small business owners involved in tourism on both sides of the border is an example of the need. “Tourism and its related businesses are so important to the economies of Tennessee and Virginia. We are approaching the fall colors season, and this flood will no doubt disrupt hundreds of businesses, and the jobs associated with them in our region.”
Original members of Region A.H.E.A.D. are part of the new flood recovery effort, including 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 ARO Inc., Ballad Health and Creative Energy.
“We are currently developing the grant application that can be downloaded online on our website for small business owners who wish to apply,” says Bob Cantler, President and CEO of the Johnson City, Jonesborough, Washington County Chamber of Commerce. “We are also organizing a grant review committee that will assess applicant needs and grant amounts based on available funds.”
“I’m heartened by the rapid response to our call to rally again by economic development, non-profits, chambers of commerce and businesses who are demonstrating, again, their love for our region, says Dietrich. “Let’s donate our dollars, our time and our hearts to this effort.”
To make a corporate or individual donation, go to RegionAhead.com. Grant applications for small businesses will soon be added for downloading for grant support.
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The following are available for media interviews along with contact information:
Miles Berdine, President & CEO, Kingsport Chamber
Tele: 423-956-1988
E-Mail: MBurdine@kingsportchamber.org
Bob Cantler, President & CEO, Johnson City, Jonesborough, Washington Co. Chamber of Commerce
Tele: 423-202-5157
E-Mail: cantler@johnsoncitytnchamber.com
Andy Dietrich, Owner/Vice-President, Champion Chevrolet, GMC, Cadillac
Tele: (423) 534-8888
E-Mail: adietrich@championjc.com
Beth Rhinehart, President & CEO, Bristol TN/VA Chamber of Commerce
Tele: (423) 989-4850
E-Mail: brhinehart@bristolchamber.org
Lottie Ryans Director of Workforce & Literacy Initiatives, First TN Development District
Tele: (423) 722-5101
E-Mail: lryans@ftdd.org