Businesses negatively impacted by this year’s warm and snowless winter may be eligible for loans through the Small Business Administration.
Eighty-one counties in the state are currently covered by federal disaster declarations for drought conditions, exacerbated by the lack of snowfall in Minnesota. From December to February, Minnesota experienced the warmest meteorological winter on record.
Under the Economic Injury Disaster Loans program, businesses can borrow up to $2 million to cover their actual losses. They pay no interest on the loan for the first year and no more than 4% for the rest of the loan period.
A webinar hosted by the SBA will be at 10 a.m. Friday, March 15, to provide information about the disaster declaration, how to apply for a loan, and the use of loan proceeds. Business owners can learn more about eligibility, find an application and learn more about application deadlines for their county at the SBA's disaster assistance page.
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Plus: MnDOT will host an open house Tuesday ahead of its 2026 construction season in Brainerd; and the Bemidji Public Library hosted a send-off Friday as it prepares to cut its staff and reduce its hours. -
Contributed/Smokey the Bear | National Forest ServiceThe National Weather Service says a red flag warning will be in effect from noon to 7 p.m. March 28, 2026. -
Contributed/Francesco Ungaro via PexelsThe Cass County Sheriff’s Office received the report about 10:45 p.m. at the sawmill east of Highway 371. Deputies found the kiln drying and storage building engulfed in flames. -
Plus: Eighth District Congressman Pete Stauber's bill for Great Lakes restoration funding passed the House with bipartisan support; Minnesota will no longer recognize Cesar Chavez Day; and St. Louis County seeks public input on how to use opioid settlement funds.
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Contributed/St. Louis CountySt. Louis County has received three rounds of funding from the class-action opioid settlement and is seeking program ideas that assist people in the criminal justice system. -
The Republican from Hermantown authored the American Water Stewardship Act, and it passed March 24, 2026, with bipartisan support. -
Contributed/MnDOTThe Minnesota Department of Transportation will host an open house March 31, 2026, ahead of the first year of its project on Highway 210 in Brainerd. -
Contributed/Paul Bunyan CommunicationsThree projects in Aitkin, Hubbard, Itasca and St. Louis counties are expected to provide high-speed internet options to 3,200 locations. -
And: Bemidji community urges Board to keep J.W. Smith open; and a Cuyuna rec area land dispute prompts road closure confusion, concerns.
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Contributed/Cuyuna Lakes Mountain Bike Trails via FacebookThe DNR said a closure notice because of a land dispute in the Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area was an error, but it’s unclear how access could be affected moving forward.
