Average Unemployment Rate for Line 3 Counties Increases Again

AS OF JUNE 25, AVERAGE UNEMPLOYMENT RATE IN THE 14 COUNTIES IS NOW ALMOST 22 PERCENT

(BEMIDJI, MINN) The latest information from the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) shows the average unemployment rate for “Line 3 Counties” has increased again and is now almost 22 percent. This is the 3^rd week in a row the rate has increased since Minnesotans for Line has been tracking the data and the latest information continues to show the increased need to find ways to get people back to work.

The updated data follows a key decision yesterday by the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission to deny requests for the agency to review its approval of the certificate of need and the route permit for Enbridge’s Line 3 Replacement Project. Construction on the largest privately funded infrastructure project in Minnesota could start as soon as this November if there are no additional delays, bringing thousands of jobs and an investment of more than $2 billion to communities across Northern Minnesota.

“Behind these numbers are the growing number of people who are struggling to survive through an economic challenge that is beyond what many of us have ever experienced, said Rich Siegert, Owner of the Edgewater Group in Bemidji, MN. “We need to find ways to change things now and Line 3 is a premium construction project and the best way to bring jobs, dollars, and hope to our communities. The agencies have done their job and it’s now time for Governor Walz to make sure Minnesota does not do anything to stop or delay this project and the immediate chance it represents to get people back to work.”

Line 3 would immediately create more than 4,000 good paying, union jobs. The project will also invest approximately $2.6 billion into local economies and Enbridge has already spent hundreds of thousands of dollars preparing for construction to start. All of this at a time when Minnesota has never needed the jobs and investment more. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency’s decision to hold a contested case hearing on key permits for the project means the earliest construction could start would be mid-November of this year.

The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC) yesterday voted 4-1 to deny requests from project opponents to reconsider its approval of both the certificate of need and the route permit. The decision to deny the requests now gives groups opposing the project 30 days to file a notice that they intend to file legal appeals of the agency’s decisions.

In 2019 the Minnesota Department of Commerce (MNDOC) legally challenged the PUC’s certificate of need, creating additional delays for what is now the most thoroughly reviewed pipeline project in Minnesota history. If Governor Walz has the MNDOC file another legal challenge to the PUC, it is unlikely that Line 3 construction could start this year.

“It’s now up to Governor Walz to stop any more delays and make sure we can be guaranteed that things will get better this year,” Siegert said. “We need him to say NO to the Minnesota Department of Commerce filing any more appeals and YES to bringing our local economies back to life. It’s that simple and Line 3 is the best and only way this will happen.”

Latest unemployment rates for Line 3 Counties as of June 25^th

County		Percentage
Kittson		10%
Beltrami		21.5%
Marshall		14.2%
Pennington		19.4%
Polk		18%
Red Lake		17.5%
Clearwater		25.5%
Hubbard		23.8%
Cass		30%
Crow Wing		26.7%
Aitkin		24.1%
Carlton		25.8%
St. Louis		27%
Wadena		22.9%

AVERAGE		21.88%

Percentage of people filing for unemployment insurance as a share of the 2019 available labor force

Data provided by Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development

https://mn.gov/deed/data/data-tools/unemployment-insurance-statistics/

Contact: Susan Goudge
Susan@Minnesotansforline3.com | 218-556-3617

We can’t afford to wait any longer for Line 3

“It’s long overdue for those making decisions in this state to pause and look at the facts. We cannot afford another appeal. Too much time and taxpayer dollars have been used to repeatedly determine that Line 3 is necessary.

If we do not approve Line 3 and get started soon, the people of Minnesota will deserve an explanation about why the most studied pipeline project in our state’s history – that literally checks every box – was stalled at a time when our economy needs it so much.”

Rich Siegert, Rochester Post Bulletin

Minnesota needs Line 3 project

“Let’s get one thing clear: Minnesota needs Line 3.

Replacing Line 3 will bring thousands of jobs to our state at a time when we desperately need it. While our legislature stalls on a bonding bill and other forms of relief, how about Governor Walz and his administration making an easy decision to stop delaying a project that will bring thousands of jobs to northern Minnesota?”

Craig Gaasvig, Grand Forks Herald

Nearly six years to replace Line 3 is too long

“My family has farmed in Clearwater County for 85 years. As farmers, we take pride in our land and work hard to take care of the soil and water around us. We also take very seriously planning our farming operations, including rotating our crops and maintaining our equipment.

For 48 years, we’ve hosted six pipelines on our property and have always had a good relationship with the company. In 2014, we received a letter from Enbridge about the company’s intention to replace its Line 3 pipeline. Since that initial letter, we’ve worked with Enbridge on the easement for the replacement pipe and have considered our farming plans to accommodate construction.”

Brian Emmel, Bemidji Pioneer

Support Minnesotans by supporting Line 3

“In trying times like these, you would think local governments would try to work together to get things done. The fact of the matter is, they can’t — or they won’t. The gridlock in our state house is at an all-time high, and neither side seems willing to concede anything to the other. You would think they would care more about the people than these political chess matches; but for the most part, that’s not the case. Minnesota needs jobs more than ever — as well as the hope that things can get better. As we struggle with COVID19, the changes it has forced upon us have left too many of our businesses to drop like flies, with more people applying for unemployment every day.”

Dave Langfeld, Duluth News Tribune

Letters to the Editor Supporting Line 3:

We can’t afford to wait any longer for Line 3

Minnesota needs Line 3 project

Nearly six years to replace Line 3 is too long

Support Minnesotans by supporting Line 3

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