LANSING, MI— Record temperatures and a lack of snow devastated Upper Peninsula businesses this winter. Now, Governor Gretchen Whitmer is urging those businesses to apply for federal funding from the Small Business Administration.
Due to the warmest winter on record, Economic Injury Disaster Loans are available because of ongoing federal drought declarations affecting 43 Michigan counties. Twelve are in the U.P., including Alger, Chippewa, Delta, Dickinson, Gogebic, Iron, Luce, Mackinac, Marquette, Menominee, Ontonagon, and Schoolcraft counties.
Record-Breaking Winter:
· The UP200 was cancelled for the second year in a row because of warm weather.
· The CopperDog 150 in the Keweenaw Peninsula was cancelled due to weather.
· The Tahquamenon Country Sled Dog Race in Newberry was cancelled due to weather.
· 16% of the Great Lakes froze over this winter, compared to 53% normally.
· Marquette has seen 72.6 inches of snow this season, compared to 127 inches on average.
There are the 42 counties covered by four different SBA drought declarations. Where two declarations cover one county, businesses can apply under either declaration. Applicable SBA declarations and relevant deadlines are as follows:
Alger – Drought Declaration #20175, Deadline 9/26/2024
Chippewa – Drought Declaration #20175, Deadline 9/26/2024
Delta – Drought Declaration #20175, Deadline 9/26/2024
Dickinson – Drought Declaration #20209, Deadline 11/27/24
Gogebic – Drought Declaration #18175, Deadline 5/13/2024
Iron – Drought Declaration #18175, Deadline 5/13/2024
Luce – Drought Declaration #20175, Deadline 9/26/2024
Mackinac – Drought Declaration #20133, Deadline 8/12/2024 OR Drought Declaration #20175, Deadline 9/26/2024
Marquette – Drought Declaration #20175, Deadline 9/26/2024
Menominee – Drought Declaration #20175, Deadline 9/26/2024
Ontonagon – Drought Declaration #18175, Deadline 5/13/2024
Schoolcraft – Drought Declaration #20175, Deadline 9/26/2024
"Michiganders are used to tough winters, but this year’s record-setting warm winter has been tough in a different way, causing economic hardships for small businesses and regional economies that rely on snow,” said Governor Whitmer. “I know how hard this winter has been on families and communities who rely on winter tourism revenue and all the associated business that comes with it—hotels, restaurants, and shops. Fortunately, businesses in these 42 counties in the UP and the Northern Lower Peninsula can apply for support right now. A drought is a drought—whether we’re talking about rain or snow. Businesses impacted by low snow in these 42 counties can apply for support right now, and I’ll continue to push our federal government for more solutions. We’ll get through this warm winter together.”
“The many great businesses that depend on a winter wonderland need this chance to access relief funds,” said state Senator Ed McBroom (R-Vulcan). “Winter will be back next year, and we want these shops to be open and ready to serve the visitors who come to the UP.”
