MPR’s Lee Axdahl reports on U.S. Senator Dave Durenburger requesting Small Business Administartion (SBA) assist businesses near the Boundary Waters Canoe Area. The business owners say they are struggling since restrictions of the 1978 BWCA Wilderness Act.
LEE EGESDAL: Durenberger made his request to the SBA this past December. The Small Business Administration can designate economic injury areas due to physical disasters like a flood or a non-physical disaster-- for example, when a major industry closes down. Several business owners near the Boundary Waters claim business has dropped up to 30% because of the restrictions of the 1978 BWCA Wilderness Act.
Businesses within the BWCA are eligible for different forms of financial aid. Durenberger made his request for businesses outside the BWCA, yet close enough to feel the pinch of the Wilderness Act. If designated an economic injury area. the businesses near the BWCA would be eligible for low-interest loans.
But in a letter to the senator's office, dated January 10, an official with the SBA said the businesses near the BWCA don't meet the criteria necessary for designation. Even if the criteria was met, Durenberger's request isn't enough. SBA officials say a formal request for designation of an economic injury area must come from the governor's office. This is Lee Egesdal, in Duluth.
Materials created/edited/published by Archive team as an assigned project during remote work period in 2020
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