LANSING, Mich. (WILX) – The idea of a drought in a state surrounded by the largest source of freshwater in the world may seem odd, but water-dependent businesses and nonprofit organizations in parts of Michigan experienced it last summer.
Now, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced that Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs) are available in Michigan to small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture, and most private nonprofit organizations due to the drought that began on May 5, 2021.
Background: Drought already affecting Michigan farmers
The declaration is not for all of Michigan, though it does cover parts of Mid-Michigan. The primary counties covered are Allegan, Antrim, Baraga, Gogebic, Grand Traverse, Houghton, Iron, Kalkaska, Leelanau, Ontonagon and Otsego in Michigan, as well as the contiguous counties of Barry, Benzie, Charlevoix, Cheboygan, Crawford, Dickinson, Kalamazoo, Kent, Keweenaw, Manistee, Marquette, Missaukee, Montmorency, Oscoda, Ottawa, Roscommon, Van Buren and Wexford in Michigan.
In Wisconsin the counties of Florence, Forest, Iron and Vilas are covered under the same program.
“When the Secretary of Agriculture issues a disaster declaration to help farmers recover from damages and losses to crops, the Small Business Administration issues a declaration to eligible entities, affected by the same disaster,” said Kem Fleming, director of SBA’s Field Operations Center East.
Scam alert: Eaton…
