LANSING, Mich. – Wednesday, Governor Gretchen Whitmer sent a letter to congressional leadership and the heads of the Small Business Administration (SBA) and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) urging them to create new paths of federal relief for those impacted by exceptionally warm winters. Amid the warmest winter on record, Governor Whitmer worked with the federal government to secure assistance for businesses in previously designated drought areas, but some counties in the Upper Peninsula and most of the Lower Peninsula are not currently eligible under current federal guidelines.
“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 appreciate the federal government working with us to deliver financial relief to businesses in 43 counties around the state. However, this solution left out many counties that truly need assistance, which is why I’m asking the federal government to create new paths of federal relief for all impacted. We know climate change will only exacerbate this issue in future years, and there needs to be reliable and well-tailored programs to help in those cases.”
View the full letter here.
In addition to encouraging the federal government to develop regulatory or legislative solutions that can ensure businesses impacted by an exceptionally “warm winter” can seek appropriate federal relief, the governor announced that the SBA approved a new declaration that extends relief to Houghton County, bringing the total areas eligible for assistance to 43 counties. Note that due to unique drought conditions, the new Houghton County declaration covers business impacts from February 20, 2024 and beyond only. The SBA also extended the deadlines for businesses to apply for assistance in some counties, which will allow owners more time to calculate losses and submit those for federal financial assistance.
