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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Contributed/MnDOTThis project will resurface the highway, improve drainage, replace sidewalks, and improve pedestrian crossings, with all work expected to be completed by this fall. -
Contributed/St. Louis County Sheriff's Office Facebook pageSt. Louis County deputies responded to a scene northeast of Duluth, MN, after a volunteer firefighter and township police officer were reportedly fired upon. -
Lorie Shaull/KAXEAitkin County hosted its county fair July 9-12, 2025, complete with animals, rides, live music, stock car races and so much more. -
Contributed/National Weather ServiceNWS has forecast multiple rounds of showers and storms Tuesday, July 15, 2025, in north-central and northeastern MN, with rainfall potential through 7 a.m. Wednesday. -
Contributed/Tom Olmscheid / MinnPostMitchell has pleaded not guilty to first-degree burglary and possession of burglary tools. If convicted, Mitchell faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. -
And: One suspect in Cloquet armed robbery in custody; Crow Wing County signs agreement with USDA; and election clerks are getting proactive with messaging to win over skeptics. -
Contributed/Brainerd Police DepartmentCory Degeest was reported missing Sunday, July 13, 2025. She was last seen walking on Beech Street about two weeks ago. -
Contributed/Astera HealthThe center welcomed its first patient on Monday, July 14, 2025. The stated goal of the center is to provide rural Minnesotans cancer treatment with a shorter drive. -
Chelsey Perkins/KAXEDenise Slipy will likely run against Republican state Sen. Keri Heintzeman again in 2026. -
Plus: Denise Slipy announces 2026 Senate District 6 run; Sen. Klobuchar gives speech on floor in support of public media; and Astera Health celebrates the opening of a cancer center in Wadena.
