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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Larissa Donovan/KAXEParents and community members gathered at the J.W. Smith Elementary gymnasium for the Q&A session. The School Board will host a public hearing on March 24, 2026. -
Contributed/Leech Lake Tribal CollegeLane Azure, Margaret "Maggie" Ross and Beatrice Bridglall will visit the college March 30-April 1, 2026, with a public forum for each candidate. -
Contributed/Pequot Lakes High School via FacebookCherry, Pequot Lakes and Red Lake County are repeat qualifiers to the boys basketball state tournament. Grand Rapids is making its first appearance since 2017. -
Plus: the Bemidji City Council rejected Northern Township's wastewater connection request; and the Brainerd City Council selected its next Chief of Police. -
After a dispute with the soon-to-be city over which is best suited to install sewer around Lake Bemidji, the Bemidji Council reaffirmed its policy of "no connection without annexation." -
Contributed/Summit School Facebook pageKids Count on Us, a statewide organization of child care providers, hosts the event 12:30 p.m. Sunday, March 22, 2026, in the Northwest Technical College commons. -
And: A new bill would ban municipalities from signing nondisclosure agreements; Otter Tail Power Co. had above-average profits last two years; Mountain Iron-Buhl is girls basketball runner-up.
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Megan Buffington/KAXEThe Pequot Lakes Fire District and Breezy Point Police Department responded to the fire the morning of March 14, 2026. The incident is under investigation. -
Contributed/Lakers Music BoostersSeveral Detroit Lakes High School band and choir members are currently on a northbound bus, and Music Director Tim Siewert said the travel fiasco will add $35,000 in unexpected costs. -
The 110 investor-owned utilities included in the report had an average profit margin of 12.8% from 2021 to 2024 and 14.6% in 2025. Xcel and Otter Tail were in the top 40 both years.
