Metro Detroit businesses face critical salt shortage

Residents could have to pay more when snow starts falling

WIXOM, Mich. – With Mother Nature refusing to turn down the heat, not many people are thinking about snow in Metro Detroit.

But some business owners in the area are already facing a winter weather challenge. It's a critical salt shortage that could cost residents more money when the snow is falling.

The time is now for landscapers to get their salt orders in, but there's a shortage in domestic mines.

Bells Landscaping in Wixom has been a family business for 40 years and has never seen such a dire salt forecast. The company has been working for months to secure the salt it needs to service banks, ballparks and homeowners.

Landscaping companies all over the nation have had to go overseas, paying exorbitant prices for transport, transportation and security for the trek across the globe.

Prices in the 2017-18 season were around $62 per ton. This year, the price is at $125 per ton. While municipalities should be OK, consumers will have to pay.

You can watch Paula Tutman's full story in the video posted above.


About the Authors:

Paula Tutman is an Emmy award-winning journalist who came to Local 4 in 1992. She's married and the stepmother of three beautiful and brilliant daughters. Her personal philosophy in life, love and community is, "Do as much as you can possibly do, not as little as you can possibly get away with".

Derick is the Lead Digital Editor for ClickOnDetroit and has been with Local 4 News since April 2013. Derick specializes in breaking news, crime and local sports.