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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The awards under the Minnesota Public Facilities Authority largely fund the replacement of lead service lines with copper, in addition to other statewide projects. -
Contributed/MnDOT"No Travel Advised" means the visibility has been reduced to the point that it is very dangerous to travel in parts of Minnesota. -
Plus: Red Lake Nation's NativeCare cannabis operation plans to open dispensaries in Thief River Falls and the metro; Attorney General Keith Ellison announced a $500M settlement with Hyundai and Kia over anti-theft devices; and MN DEED announced more than $91M in Public Facilities Authority awards for clean drinking water projects. -
Investigations into the car manufacturers found they knowingly failed to install industry-standard anti-theft technology in vehicles sold in Minnesota and elsewhere. -
Contributed/National Weather Service Grand ForksMost of the Northland will be impacted by some combination of freezing rain, heavy snow, high winds and low temperatures Dec. 17-18, 2025. -
Contributed/Cass County Soil and Water Conservation DistrictKathy Wagner of Wabedo Township has done decades of conservation work, both on her own property and throughout Cass County. -
Contributed/Shawn T. Moore / Department of LaborThe labor department sent a letter asserting recent news reports of fraud in MN's Medicaid-funded human services programs could signal fraud and abuse in unemployment benefits. -
Lorie Shaull/Special to KAXEThe Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians is the sixth of Minnesota's 11 federally recognized tribes to sign a cannabis compact with the state of Minnesota. -
Malachy Koons/KAXEMeal service at the YMCA in Grand Rapids will begin Jan. 6, 2026, and take place 4:30-6 p.m. every Tuesday and Thursday. -
Contributed/Jennifer Carnahan for MN SenateThe embattled former GOP chair is in her first year as mayor of Nisswa, with fellow council members making moves to censure her at a meeting in January 2026.
