Six Minnesota Counties Eligible for SBA Loans

Farm and ranch-dependent businesses in six Minnesota counties are now eligible to apply for Small Business Administration (SBA) disaster loans. The SBA made the low-interest federal loans available this weekend in a declaration for North Dakota. Clay, Kittson, Marshall, Norman, Polk and Wilkin counties in Minnesota are eligible because they neighbor the designated North Dakota counties in the SBA declaration.

The loans are intended to offset economic losses caused by adverse weather conditions during the harvest season. Small nonfarm businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture and most private nonprofit organizations of any size may qualify for a loan of up to $2 million. Businesses primarily engaged in farming or ranching are not eligible for SBA disaster assistance.

Read the SBA news release.

Gov. Walz Declares State Disasters in Six Counties

Six counties are now eligible to receive state disaster assistance following two separate severe weather incidents this year.

Gov. Walz authorized the funds for Murray, Pipestone, Rock and Traverse counties for $620,000 in damages caused by thunderstorms, heavy rain and flooding between Sept. 10-15.

Dakota and Pope counties will also receive disaster aid for $1.6 million in damages caused by spring flooding during March 12-April 28. Dakota and Pope counties were originally included in Minnesota’s presidential disaster declaration for that incident, but FEMA denied the two counties’ request because it was submitted outside a required 30 day reporting period.

The counties will be reimbursed for response, repair and recovery costs related to the two severe weather incidents. The state will cover 75 percent of the total amount, with local governments covering the remaining 25 percent. Learn more about the state disaster declaration process.

Read Gov. Walz's news release on the state disaster declarations.

Wet Year in Minnesota Drowns Crops

​Minnesota has seen a historic wet year—starting with spring flooding followed by a rainy summer. All that water means farms are still under water or too wet to harvest, especially in the Red River Valley in northwest Minnesota.

The ongoing problem is why HSEM Director Joe Kelly recently joined Gov. Tim Walz for a roundtable with farmers. With rivers, streams and lakes still running high, flood concerns could continue through next spring, depending on how much snow the state sees this winter.

Read more about the harvest woes and how the state is working to alleviate the issue.

Religious Organizations and Non-profits Learn About Security Grants

Minnesota’s religious and non-profit organizations are placing a greater emphasis on security as they work to keep people safe. That’s why representatives from all backgrounds recently gathered to learn about federal and state grants that would help them step up their security practices. HSEM and DPS leaders met with Muslim, Jewish and Christian-affiliated leaders to listen to their security concerns, review security trends, and answer questions about grant funding opportunities.

HSEM oversees the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA’s) Non-Profit Security Grant (NPSG) Program. The funding provides support for target hardening and other physical security enhancements to non-profit organizations that are at high risk of attack.
Learn more about HSEM grant programs.