While more Minnesota businesses are allowed to open, extreme unemployment rates for Line 3 Counties continue to rise

AS OF JUNE 9, AVERAGE UNEMPLOYMENT RATE IN THE 13 COUNTIES IS NOW 20.9%

(BEMIDJI, MINN) While some Minnesota businesses have been allowed to open, communities across Northern Minnesota continue to see rising rates of unemployment with no immediate hope for any change. The latest information from the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development show an average unemployment rate for “Line 3 Counties” of 20.9 percent. In Cass County the unemployment rate is now 28.9% and rates are going up weekly in every one of these key counties.

The rising unemployment rates are renewing calls from local officials for Governor Walz to support the Line 3 Replacement project and not allow any more delays. “We are looking at what has now become a “Great Depression” for too much of Minnesota,” said Jim Lucachick, a Beltrami County Commissioner where the unemployment rate is now 20.7%. “What is even worse is that each week these numbers get worse and the challenge we face to recover becomes more severe. Line 3 is the only significant opportunity we have to immediately put people back to work this year and give people here any hope at such a dire time.”

Line 3 would immediately create more than 4,000 jobs and invest more than $2 Billion of private-sector dollars into Minnesota at a time when it has never needed it more. The MPCA recently decided to hold a contested case hearing on key permits for the project. This will delay any permits being issued until November, with construction being able to immediately begin after that.

The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC) recently re-issued a certificate of need and route permit for Line 3. The agency is now going through a process that involves requests by the Minnesota Department of Commerce and other groups to have the agency reconsider the decision to issue the certificate of need. In 2019 the Minnesota Department of Commerce (MNDOC) legally challenged the 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 are calling on Governor Walz to join us in saying YES to Line 3 and NO to the Minnesota Department of Commerce filing any more appeals,” Lucachick said. “Looking at these numbers and knowing how much people here are hurting, it’s beyond clear that it is time to make sure there are no more delays and that people can get back to work this year.”

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

County		Percentage
Kittson		9.3%
Beltrami		20.7%
Marshall		13%
Pennington		18.4%
Polk		17.1%
Red Lake		16.3%
Clearwater		24.3%
Hubbard		23%
Cass		28.9%
Crow Wing		26%
Aitkin		23.3%
Carlton		24.6%
St. Louis		26%
Wadena		22.1%

AVERAGE		20.93%

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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