Bergman Urges Small Businesses Impacted by Lack of Snow to Apply for Available Federal Loans
Washington,
March 5, 2024
As Michigan continues to face an unseasonably snowless winter, Representative Jack Bergman urges small businesses impacted by lack of snow to apply for federal funding from the Small Business Administration (SBA). Federal Economic Injury Disaster Loans are available because of ongoing federal drought declarations affecting 42 Michigan counties.
“It’s all hands on deck to ensure our small businesses affected by the unseasonable lack of snow across the First District are able to make it through this tough winter,” said U.S. Representative Jack Bergman. “Working together with the Governor, business owners, and local leaders, we will continue to take every step possible to extend necessary resources and assistance to help our communities thrive through this unprecedented winter.” "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.” “This winter has been especially hard on our businesses that rely on snow. From ski hills to hotels and restaurants, many businesses I’ve spoken to are concerned whether they can even make it to the summer,” said state Senator John Damoose (R-Harbor Springs). “Thank you to all who took the time to meet with us and to the Governor for working with the Small Business Administration to help make special low-interest EIDL loans available. I encourage all of our businesses to move quickly to secure this critical support.” “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.” “The lack of snow this winter has had a profound impact on our local seasonal economies and the people who depend on them, especially in the U.P.,” said state Representative Jenn Hill (D-Marquette). “I appreciate the governor encouraging Michigan’s small businesses to take advantage of the aid that’s available. We all want to ensure our communities remain resilient in the face of these unexpected challenges.” “Michiganders up north know that getting through the winter means pulling together. That’s true during unusually warm winters, too,” said state Representative Betsy Coffia (D-Traverse City). “This unseasonably warm winter has created unique challenges, especially for those businesses that rely on snow for a strong tourist season. So, I certainly echo Governor Whitmer’s call for small businesses to apply for SBA funds in the face of these unpredictable and difficult times.” Drought Designation 42 Michigan counties are covered by a disaster designation for drought from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Through SBA declarations related to those designations, businesses in these counties may be eligible for emergency loans that offset their business losses if the loss is related to the drought. 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: 1. Alcona – Drought Declaration #20175, Deadline 9/26/2024 2. Alger – Drought Declaration #20175, Deadline 9/26/2024 3. Alpena – Drought Declaration #20133, Deadline 8/12/2024 OR Drought Declaration #20175, Deadline 9/26/2024 4. Antrim – Drought Declaration #20133, Deadline 8/12/2024 5. Arenac – Drought Declaration #20133, Deadline 8/12/2024 6. Bay – Drought Declaration #20133, Deadline 8/12/2024 7. Benzie – Drought Declaration #20133, Deadline 8/12/2024 8. Charlevoix – Drought Declaration #20133, Deadline 8/12/2024 9. Cheboygan – Drought Declaration #20133, Deadline 8/12/2024 OR Drought Declaration #20175, Deadline 9/26/2024 10. Clare – Drought Declaration #20133, Deadline 8/12/2024 11. Crawford – Drought Declaration #20133, Deadline 8/12/2024 OR Drought Declaration #20175, Deadline 9/26/2024 12. Delta – Drought Declaration #20175, Deadline 9/26/2024 13. Dickinson – Drought Declaration #20209, Deadline 11/27/24 14. Emmet – Drought Declaration #20133, Deadline 8/12/2024 15. Gladwin – Drought Declaration #20133, Deadline 8/12/2024 16. Gogebic – Drought Declaration #18175, Deadline 5/13/2024 17. Grand Traverse – Drought Declaration #20133, Deadline 8/12/2024 18. Gratiot – Drought Declaration #20133, Deadline 8/12/2024 19. Iosco – Drought Declaration #20175, Deadline 9/26/2024 20. Iron – Drought Declaration #18175, Deadline 5/13/2024 21. Isabella – Drought Declaration #20133, Deadline 8/12/2024 22. Kalkaska – Drought Declaration #20133, Deadline 8/12/2024 23. Leelanau – Drought Declaration #20133, Deadline 8/12/2024 24. Luce – Drought Declaration #20175, Deadline 9/26/2024 25. Mackinac – Drought Declaration #20133, Deadline 8/12/2024 OR Drought Declaration #20175, Deadline 9/26/2024 26. Manistee – Drought Declaration #20133, Deadline 8/12/2024 27. Marquette – Drought Declaration #20175, Deadline 9/26/2024 28. Mecosta – Drought Declaration #20133, Deadline 8/12/2024 29. Menominee – Drought Declaration #20175, Deadline 9/26/2024 30. Midland – Drought Declaration #20133, Deadline 8/12/2024 31. Missaukee – Drought Declaration #20133, Deadline 8/12/2024 32. Montmorency – Drought Declaration #20133, Deadline 8/12/2024 OR Drought Declaration #20175, Deadline 9/26/2024 33. Ogemaw – Drought Declaration #20133, Deadline 8/12/2024 OR Drought Declaration #20175, Deadline 9/26/2024 34. Ontonagon – Drought Declaration #18175, Deadline 5/13/2024 35. Osceola – Drought Declaration #20133, Deadline 8/12/2024 36. Oscoda – Drought Declaration #20133, Deadline 8/12/2024 OR Drought Declaration #20175, Deadline 9/26/2024 37. Otsego – Drought Declaration #20133, Deadline 8/12/2024 OR Drought Declaration #20175, Deadline 9/26/2024 38. Presque Isle – Drought Declaration #20133, Deadline 8/12/2024 OR Drought Declaration #20175, Deadline 9/26/2024 39. Schoolcraft – Drought Declaration #20175, Deadline 9/26/2024 40. Roscommon – Drought Declaration #20133, Deadline 8/12/2024 41. Saginaw – Drought Declaration #20133, Deadline 8/12/2024 42. Wexford – Drought Declaration #20133, Deadline 8/12/2024 |