Wisconsin businesses eligible for federal disaster relief after unseasonably warm winter

Wisconsin’s winter has been unseasonably warm and dry — impacting businesses that rely on snow and ice.

Those businesses may be eligible for federal aid through the U.S. Small Businesses Administration’s disaster loan program. The loans are meant to help businesses get through emergency situations that have led to economic losses. 

In conversations with the Small Businesses Administration, Gov. Tony Evers and U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin clarified that businesses in Wisconsin counties under a drought declaration qualify for the loans.

“In Wisconsin, our snowy winters are not just another season, but also a huge economic driver, particularly in the Northern part of the state,” Baldwin said in a statement. “This year’s low snowfall has hit many Wisconsin businesses hard and we need to do more to ensure they get some relief.” 

Under the program, businesses can borrow up to $2 million to cover their losses.

Both Baldwin and Evers encouraged Wisconsin residents to plan vacations and activities for the remainder of the winter season — even if those activities might look different than normal.

The National Weather Service reports that Wisconsin snowfall has been 20 to 30 inches below normal this winter. In Ashland, Iron and Vilas counties, snowfall has been 40 to 70 inches below normal.
For more information about the loans, businesses can go to https://lending.sba.gov.