WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senators Gary Peters (D-MI), Ranking Member of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, and Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), alongside U.S. Representatives Tim Walberg (R-MI-05) and Bill Huizenga (R-MI-04), are urging the Small Business Administration (SBA) to support Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer's request for an administrative disaster declaration following the devastating tornadoes in Southwest Michigan this past March.

The tornadoes claimed the lives of four Michiganders and caused widespread destruction to hundreds of homes and businesses across Branch, Cass, and St. Joseph counties. In the immediate aftermath, affected communities have faced significant financial challenges as they begin to rebuild, with the burden disproportionately impacting low-income, uninsured, disabled, and senior residents. Governor Whitmer's request to the SBA would help to provide low-interest disaster loans for Michiganders, helping residents and small businesses recover and easing the financial strain during this critical period.

"These devastating tornadoes destroyed homes, caused major and minor damage to homes, and damaged businesses in the counties of Branch, Cass and St. Joseph. This damage to homes and businesses has disrupted the local economy and compounded existing financial hardship throughout the impacted area. While state resources have already been mobilized to assist in this recovery effort, the hardships faced by businesses exceed the State of Michigan's capacity to address them alone," the members wrote.

"The hardworking people and businesses of Michigan are strong and resilient. Yet, local capacity is limited, and recovery of this magnitude requires a coordinated effort at all levels of government. As such, we respectfully request that SBA swiftly approve Governor Whitmer's request for an administrative declaration of disaster. This declaration would make available critical federal support and resources to struggling homeowners and business owners as they recover from these devastating tornadoes," the members concluded.

Text of the letter is available here.

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