Winter recreation is not only an integral part of Wisconsin’s culture, it is also a major economic driver.
That means unusually warm winters like the one we experienced last year — the warmest in the Great Lakes states in the past 123 years, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration — are a major problem.
U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin has introduced a bill to help small businesses that rely on cold, snowy winters. The proposed legislation, called the Winter Recreation Small Business Recovery Act, would make these businesses eligible for disaster relief during mild winters.
Winter can be a time for snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and ice fishing — and the tourism that comes with them. But last year, small businesses that rely on those activities suffered losses and were forced to close or lay off workers. Seven counties in Wisconsin’s Northwoods reported a combined $6.5 million in losses for the 2023-24 winter.
“Wisconsin winters draw visitors from all over the world to our state, and our small businesses work hard to make that possible,” Baldwin said in a news release. “Our snowy winters aren’t just a season, they’re a huge economic driver, particularly in the northern part of the state.”
More: In the Boundary Waters, winters are now ‘nail-biters’ for a dog sledding company
More: Smith: Ice fishing has already suffered from the conditions; now sturgeon hunting is also threatened
A recent study found that the Great Lakes region is headed toward warmer, wetter winters with less snow. Storms have been moving northward over the past six decades, the study found, and Wisconsin is in the midst of this shift. Much of the state, particularly the lower half, will continue to see winters with less snow and more rain, the study said.
At the same time, ice cover in the Great Lakes has declined, with average year-to-year ice cover reaching extremes from near-record lows to near-record highs. The impact has been far-reaching, disrupting the lakes’ food webs, fisheries, and recreational opportunities.
The relief funding would be channeled through the U.S. Small Business Administration, or SBA, which currently only provides businesses with the funds they need to stay afloat while recovering from a natural disaster. So far, only ice storms and snowstorms count as qualifying disasters; winters, which are milder than most, don’t count.
“The ability to qualify for Economic Injury Disaster Loans will be a lifeline for many business owners who are dealing with both unpredictable winter weather and other economic challenges,” Melissa Martinez, executive director of the Washburn Area Chamber of Commerce, said in a press release. “This legislation is vital to the survival and resilience of our community’s small businesses, now and in the future.”
More: Cold, snowy winters are part of Wisconsin’s identity. But are they a thing of the past?
More: Smith: You know this past winter was mild. The DNR winter severity index confirms that.
Caitlin Looby is a Report for America corps member who writes about the environment and the Great Lakes. Reach her at clooby@gannett.com or follow her on X @caitlooby.
Please consider supporting journalism that informs our democracy with a tax-deductible donation to this reporting effort at jsonline.com/RFA or by check made out to The GroundTruth Project, with reference to Report for America Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Campaign. Address: The GroundTruth Project, Lockbox Services, 9450 SW Gemini Dr, PMB 46837, Beaverton, Oregon 97008-7105.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Tammy Baldwin introduces bill to help businesses hit by warm winters
