U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin introduced new legislation to ensure businesses that rely on winter weather are eligible for disaster relief during mild winters that do not produce enough snow. The Winter Recreation Small Business Recovery Act comes after Wisconsin businesses suffered during last winter’s low snowfall and snow cover.
The legislation would ensure that during winters with below average snowfall or snow cover, small businesses are eligible for disaster relief through the U.S. Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Injury Disaster Loans. This existing loan program is designed to provide small businesses with the funds they need to operate while they recover from a natural or other disaster. Under current law, qualifying disasters include droughts and ice storms or blizzards but do not account for winters without enough snow.
The Winter Recreation Small Business Recovery Act is co-sponsored by Sen. Tina Smith and supported by the Bayfield County Economic Development Corp., Florence County Economic Development Corp., Iron County Economic Development Corp., Kewaunee County Economic Development Corp., and the Washburn Chamber of Commerce.
