After Tropical Storm Helene, Eli Hashemi, the Business Retention & Expansion Coordinator at Mountain West Partnership (MWP), set out to restore hope in Western North Carolina.
MWP, the business arm of the Southwestern Commission, took a hands-on approach to recovery. Once the Commission office reopened, Eli and MWP’s Director of Economic Development, Josh Carpenter, connected with partners in hard-hit Haywood County to assess needs.
What started as a personal mission soon intertwined with MWP’s work.
A Collaborative Effort for Long-term Impact
Eli launched a supply distribution warehouse in Dillsboro, North Carolina, which quickly expanded to a 30,000-square-foot facility in Sylva, employing four full-time staff. “What started as a personal mission soon intertwined with MWP’s work,” Eli said. “It allowed us to meet urgent humanitarian needs while supporting local businesses.”
The Sylva Warehouse has become a vital regional hub. It helps businesses and individuals navigate FEMA and SBA programs, deploys Starlinks to nursing homes, and delivers essential supplies to flood-impacted areas. Daily deliveries serve heavily affected counties, including Madison, Yancey, Buncombe, and Haywood, and support food banks, schools, and the Jackson County Department of Aging.
“The effort has grown beyond anything I could have imagined, thanks to the generosity and collaboration of so many,” said Eli. MWP has worked alongside the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, Jackson County Emergency Management, Western Carolina University, the 101st Airborne, the National Guard, the Oconaluftee Job Corps, and countless others.
Additional support from organizations such as the NC Department of Commerce’s Veteran Services, Rise Against Hunger, and the Christian Appalachian Project has expanded recovery efforts.
A core team of seven volunteers has been instrumental in these efforts. The warehouse was initially offered for six months, but after seeing the impact firsthand, the owners extended their support.
Building Resilient Futures at Mountain West Partnership
Beyond the warehouse, the Southwestern Commission continues its long-term recovery work, helping local governments and nonprofits coordinate relief efforts, securing funding, and addressing infrastructure needs. Looking ahead to 2025, MWP remains committed to economic revitalization, housing solutions, and workforce recovery.
The Sylva Warehouse and the Southwestern Commission share a common goal, rebuilding and strengthening Western North Carolina for a more resilient future.
