Cities and counties statewide saw some budget relief because of low snow levels, which kept plows parked and left salt heaps untouched. Eau Claire County was looking at a possible snowplowing surplus of as much as $200,000 at the end of 2002, according to the Eau Claire Leader-Telegram.
On the flip side, chambers of commerce and many businesses have reported that lack of snow has stemmed the flow of cross-country skiers, snowmobilers and other winter enthusiasts to tourism-related businesses in the northern part of the state. While that has hurt many businesses, some report that spotty snowfall for the past several years has forced such businesses to diversify to keep their doors open.
—Ronald A. Wirtz
