Small Business Administration Relief for Businesses Impacted by Cold Weather 

by | Dec 7, 2020 | Regional News

Governor Gretchen Whitmer Banner - headshot with bridge graphic

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

December 4, 2020

Media Contact: [email protected]

 

Gov. Whitmer Announces U.S. Small Business Administration Relief for Eligible Businesses Impacted by Cold Weather

LANSING, Mich. — Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced that the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is making Economic Injury Disaster Loans of up to $2 million available to eligible small businesses, agricultural cooperatives, and nonprofits impacted by frost and freeze that occurred in May of this year. SBA extended the loans following the Secretarial Disaster Declaration obtained by Governor Whitmer from U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Sonny Perdue in September.

 

These loans are available in Antrim, Benzie, Charlevoix, Crawford, Grand Traverse, Leelanau, Kalkaska, Manistee, Missaukee, Otsego and Wexford counties.

 

“This is good news for our small businesses and farmers who have routinely faced extreme weather conditions in our state,” said Governor Whitmer. “I’m glad the federal government has recognized the need for this support, and I am eager to continue working with them to further assist Michigan businesses.”

 

Last June, Governor Whitmer requested a USDA Secretarial Disaster Designation to provide relief to Michigan fruit growers and farmers who incurred damage and losses to their crops caused by a hard freeze in the spring. USDA ultimately designated more than 10 Michigan counties as primary disaster areas beginning in September 2020. When the Secretary of Agriculture issues a disaster declaration to help farmers recover from damages and losses to crops, SBA issues a declaration to eligible entities, affected by the same disaster.

 

Applicants may apply online, receive additional disaster assistance information and download applications at https://disasterloan.sba.gov. Applicants should apply under SBA declaration #16760. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information.

 

Applications are due to SBA no later than July 26, 2021.