Jackson County TDA Donates Advertising Revenue to Hurricane Helene Relief Efforts
Sylva, NC – October 17, 2024 – The Jackson County Tourism Development Authority (JCTDA) is honored to announce its contribution to the relief efforts for Western North Carolina communities and businesses affected by Hurricane Helene. The JCTDA has redirected $56,411 in advertising revenue, collected from ad sales in the Jackson County Visitor Guide since 2018, to support those in the region recovering from the storm’s devastation. These funds have been accumulating and remained unspent, allowing the JCTDA to make this donation at a time of great need.
“When Western North Carolina is strong, Jackson County is strong,” said JCTDA Executive Director Nick Breedlove. “We were fortunate here in our county, and we feel it’s important to give back to our neighbors who need support right now. We are all connected as our region recovers.”
Among the donation recipients are 15 businesses in Dillsboro, NC, a town within Jackson County, that suffered floodwater damage during Helene.
Breedlove initiated the effort after recalling a similar initiative in Asheville during the COVID-19 pandemic. “I remembered how they used advertising revenue to benefit the community, and I thought we could do something similar to help those hit hardest by the storm,” he said.
The funds will provide critical support to designated non-profit organizations actively working on recovery efforts in the region. While state legislation governs how occupancy tax funds can be used, the advertising revenue—separate from the occupancy tax—may be applied toward such emergency relief. The JCTDA confirmed with its attorney that redirecting such funds is a permissible and impactful way to support those in need.
Kara Addy, JCTDA’s social media manager, researched organizations to potentially receive the funds. With prior experience in the non-profit sector, Addy had become familiar with some of the organizations as she monitored social media posts about Helene recovery efforts. “We recommended directing funds to non-profits that are providing relief to small towns and some of the hardest-hit areas as well as some larger groups serving the entire WNC region,” Addy explained. Additionally, the JCTDA reached out to counterparts in severely impacted areas for additional insight about local relief organizations.
The JCTDA Board of Directors unanimously approved the plan at its Oct. 16 meeting. The JCTDA Hurricane Helene donation recipient organizations include:
- Community Foundation of Henderson County: $5,000
- Community Foundation of Henderson County for Rutherford Bound: $5,000
- Jackson County Chamber of Commerce (for Dillsboro businesses): $7,500
- Friends and Neighbors of Swannanoa: $5,000
- Haywood Christian Ministry (and five partners for Helene recovery): $4,000
- Legal Aid of NC: $2,000
- MANNA FoodBank: $1,911
- Mountain Bizworks (for small business support): $2,000
- Mountain Projects (for Haywood County housing assistance): $5,000
- Samaritan’s Purse: $2,000
- Transylvania Tomorrow: $5,000
- United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County: $5,000
- WAMY (Watauga, Avery, Mitchell, Yancy) Community Action: $5,000
- Wilmington Response (serving WNC): $2,000