Average Unemployment Rate for Line 3 Counties Now above 21 Percent

AS OF JUNE 19, AVERAGE UNEMPLOYMENT RATE IN THE 14 COUNTIES IS NOW 21.29% AS GOVERNOR AND LEGISLATOR DEBATE ABOUT A STATE BONDING BILL

(BEMIDJI, MINN) As Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and members of the state legislature continue to try to finalize a list of key projects that would be funded by taxpayer dollars, the latest information from the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development shows the average unemployment rate for “Line 3 Counties” is now above 21%. While it is unlikely many of the projects that could be part of a bonding bill could start this year, Enbridge’s Line 3 Replacement project would start construction work this November. Line 3 will invest $2.6 billion in private-sector dollars and immediately create more than 4,000 jobs in communities that are facing rising rates of unemployment.

“While the Governor and our elected officials continue to talk in Saint Paul, too many people across Northern Minnesota continue to lose their jobs as well as any hope of things changing soon,” said Craig Gaasvig, a Beltrami County Commissioner where the unemployment rate is now 21%. “Each week the numbers get worse and the need to do something to change things becomes more important. Line 3 made sense before COVID wrecked our economy. Today it is our only chance to guarantee people getting back to work this year and for our communities to know things will actually change for the better. We have heard enough talk and need action and leadership to make sure Line 3 is approved and that construction starts in November.”

Line 3 would immediately create more than 4,000 good paying jobs. The project will and invest more than $2 Billion of private-sector dollars into Minnesota and the company 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 MPCA recently decided to hold a contested case hearing on key permits for the project that delays any permits being issued until November.

Next week the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC) will hold a meeting to review requests from Line 3 opponents that the agency reconsider its approval of both the certificate of need and the route permit. If the PUC declines to reconsider, groups opposing the project will have 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.

“We need leadership, jobs, and a guarantee that things will get better this year,” Gaasvig said. “We need Governor Walz to join us in saying YES to Line 3 and NO to the Minnesota Department of Commerce filing any more appeals. People here are hurting and we need to get them get back to work this year. Line 3 the best and only way this will happen.”

Latest unemployment rates for Line 3 Counties as of June 9^th

County		Percentage
Kittson		9.8%
Beltrami		21%
Marshall		13.4%
Pennington		18.7%
Polk		17.4%
Red Lake		16.4%
Clearwater		25%
Hubbard		23.2%
Cass		29.3%
Crow Wing		26.3%
Aitkin		23.7%
Carlton		25.1%
St. Louis		26.4%
Wadena		22.3%

AVERAGE		21.29%

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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