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