Baldwin Leads Bipartisan Bill to Give Lifeline to Wisconsin Winter Businesses Impacted by Warm Weather

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) introduced her Winter Recreation Small Business Recovery Act, with Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Gary Peters (D-MI). This bipartisan legislation would ensure businesses that rely on winter weather can get disaster relief during mild winters that do not produce enough snow. Baldwin’s legislation comes as last winter was Wisconsin’s warmest winter on record, causing businesses across Wisconsin to suffer losses and to close or cut staff due to the lack of visitors that are usually drawn to the area for seasonal recreation. Senators Tina Smith (D-MN) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) cosponsor the legislation.

“Wisconsin’s cold winters are a key part of our identity and a major economic driver across our state. Folks travel from near and far to go snowmobiling or skiing, staying in our local hotels, shopping on Main Streets, and eating and drinking in our bars and restaurants,” said Senator Baldwin. “But, recent winters have been some of Wisconsin’s warmest-ever, and our local businesses and communities are feeling that impact. I’m fighting to give these businesses a lifeline so they can continue to support jobs in our communities and stay open for business for Wisconsinites and visitors alike.”

“Snow droughts pose a significant threat to Maine’s winter businesses, whose financial stability are largely dependent on natural snowfall levels,” said Senator Collins. “This bipartisan bill would add snow droughts to the list of recognized disasters under the Small Business Act, providing winter businesses a new tool to manage these unpredictable and costly seasons.”

The Winter Recreation Small Business Recovery Act would ensure that during winters with a snow drought, small businesses are eligible for disaster relief through the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Injury Disaster Loans. This existing loan program at SBA is designed to provide small businesses with the funds they need to operate while they recover from a natural or other disaster. Under current law, qualifying disasters include droughts and ice storms or blizzards, but do not account for winters without enough snow.

Last winter, Senator Baldwin and Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers successfully pushed the SBA to ensure that Northern Wisconsin businesses hurt by last winter’s low snowfall could access disaster coverage. However, without Baldwin’s bill, low snowfall remains off the list of eligible natural or other disasters that businesses can use to apply for SBA relief.

“The Vilas County Economic Development Corporation is grateful to Senator Baldwin for her continued leadership to support small businesses in Wisconsin's Northwoods. As a result, we fully support Senator Baldwin’s proposed Winter Recreation Small Business Recovery Act. While we experienced more snow this year compared to 2023-2024, the lower than normal snow totals this year clearly impacted tourism which is a strong economic driver in Vilas County. This legislation would indeed provide a lifeline for businesses who need to access critical funds to operate while they recover,” said Kathy Schmitz, Executive Director, Vilas County Economic Development Corporation.