LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – Governor Gretchen Whitmer sent a letter to several ranking congressional leaders requesting that a new regulatory or legislative solution be created to help businesses particularly affected by warm winters.
The Governor’s letter.
The letter on Wednesday was also sent to heads of the Small Business Administration (SBA) and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
“Michiganders are used to tough winters, but this year’s record-setting warm winter has been tough in a different way, causing economic hardships for small businesses and regional economies that rely on snow,” said Governor Whitmer in a statement. “I appreciate the federal government working with us to deliver financial relief to businesses in 43 counties around the state. However, this solution left out many counties that truly need assistance, which is why I’m asking the federal government to create new paths of federal relief for all impacted. We know climate change will only exacerbate this issue in future years, and there needs to be reliable and well-tailored programs to help in those cases.”
Gov. Whitmer highlighted statistics provided by the Michigan Snowsports Industries Association (MSIA), including the fact that some ski areas were not able to make snow before Christmas at all.
“[MSIA] also shared that normal revenue at Michigan’s 30 ski areas over the Christmas/New Year holiday week totals between $39 and $40 million, but revenue this holiday week was only $12 million,” the letter said. “MSIA also estimates that the additional losses are over $13.7 million and will increase, while in total, they estimate Michigan ski areas have lost over $41 million.”
Small Business Administration offers temporary relief during the warm winter.
Gov. Whitmer acknowledged her appreciation to the SBA for the opportunity to have some businesses in areas identified as drought areas to apply for relief in the form of Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs).
“However, this solution is not designed for the problem at hand, and the truth is we do not have a reliable or well-tailored tool for federal relief for businesses devastated by unreasonably warm winters,” the letter said. “As governor, I do not have the ability to draw down any federal funds by declaring a “warm winter” or “no snow” disaster, as I do for declaring other disasters like storms or droughts.”
A full copy of the letter can be found here.
Numerous ski lifts in southern Michigan had the shortest season on record.
Cannonsburg Ski Area in Cannon Township had the shortest season on record, and lost more than $1 million.
Located in Otsego, Bittersweet Ski Resort has been family owned since its establishment in 1982, with 20 runs, and 6 chair lifts. However, the season was cut short due to weather, only remaining open for 52 days this season.
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