Great Lakes small businesses and ski areas pivot following a record warm winter

This winter, a hotel owner in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula faced a significant drop in sales due to the warmest winter on record. The lack of snow affected tourism and outdoor activities in the region, forcing businesses to adapt. Small business owners, like the hotel owner mentioned, relied on winter sales to sustain their operations until the busy summer season. The impact of the warm winter extended beyond the loss of income, affecting the local economy as well. The economic significance of snow activities in the Great Lakes region was highlighted, with hundreds of millions of dollars contributing to the economy. Businesses have been forced to cancel events and find alternative ways to generate revenue, such as offering summertime packages and partnering with other businesses. Despite the challenges, these business owners remain dedicated to their communities, hoping for an early spring and an opportunity to recoup some of the losses.