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Small Businesses Impacted by Lack of Snow May Be Eligible for Federal Funding 

March 4, 2024

As Michigan continues to face record high winter temperatures, Governor Gretchen Whitmer urged Michigan small businesses impacted by lack of snow to apply for federal funding from the Small Business Administration (SBA). Amid the warmest winter on record, with days in February and March topping 60 degrees, federal Economic Injury Disaster Loans are available because of ongoing federal drought declarations affecting 42 Michigan counties.  

“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.”     

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 

SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans 

SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans are designed to help businesses through disaster situations that have impacted their economic well-being. Loans are up to $2 million to help meet financial obligations and operating expenses that could have been met had the disaster not occurred. Businesses pay no interest on the loan for the first year and a maximum rate of 4% for the rest of the loan period. Businesses must apply by the application deadline for their county.  

Submit applications and find additional disaster assistance information at https://lending.sba.gov. Call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance. If you are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech-related disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services. Applicants may also contact the Michigan Small Business Development Center at 1-833-522-0025 or email sbdcmichigan@gvsu.edu.  

If you don’t see your county listed here, please contact your county office to see if they plan to secure any funds.

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