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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And: Essentia Health-Fosston regains Level 4 trauma center designation; and University of Minnesota Crookston expects to break enrollment record. -
Contributed/University of Minnesota CrookstonAn official census will be announced by the Board of Regents in early October, but U of M Crookston said it expects to pass the record set in the 2014-15 school year. -
The American Bear Association-owned sanctuary near Orr started with one man feeding black bears to co-exist. The nonprofit continues the practice to educate visitors.
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And: Highway 7 near Iron will be closed for about five days starting Monday; and the U of M seeks nominations from NW MN for Growing Local Leadership course.
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Megan Buffington/KAXENevis Public School reported the student for threatening to bring a gun to school on Sept. 11, 2025. -
Contributed/Minnesota DNRThe Cook County/Grand Marais Joint Economic Development Authority is seeking 12-15 members from Cook and Lake counties to serve on an advisory committee for the Taconite Harbor Redevelopment Project. -
Larissa Donovan/KAXEBeltrami County is proposing a 41% reduction in community funding for libraries in Blackduck and Bemidji, as well as the Beltrami County Historical Society and Paul Bunyan Transit, for the 2026 budget. -
The cost is 40 cents per pound for businesses and billing will be accomplished through the landfill office on Sept. 18, 2025. Computer equipment and other electronics are accepted. -
Plus: Walz appointed a Roseau County attorney to be the next Ninth District judge; a new study from the U of M School of Public Health found that access to obstetric care across the country has declined, hitting rural communities the hardest; the Superior National Forest will begin prescribed burns this week; and Paul Bunyan Communications says progress is on track for its broadband expansion projects in St. Louis and Itasca counties.
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Contributed/USDA Forest ServicePrescribed burning will begin in the eastern portion of the forest in the Gunflint and Tofte ranger districts, with burns in the western part slated when weather conditions allow.
