Increase in Customers from Line 3 Creating More Opportunities for Workers in Plummer

RED RIVER AG STORE IS NOW OPENING EARLY, EXPANDING THE PRODUCTS IT SELLS, AND CREATING MORE CHANCES FOR EMPLOYEES TO WORK TO SERVE CUSTOMERS

(PLUMMER, MINN) In 2020 the Red River Ag store in Plummer saw sales, traffic and inventory decline because of the impact of COVID on the local economy but now the store is experiencing a positive change because of the Line 3 Replacement project. Store owner Alex Yaggie said that since Line 3 work started in December, he has expanded hours, offered his employees more chances to work, and increased the number of items to serve construction customers. There are now more than 5,000 people working in 14 counties across Minnesota to replace the Line 3 pipeline.

“It’s fantastic to see the dramatic change at our store and across our entire community,” Alex Yaggie said. “Last year we were looking at what we would need to do to survive what had been a very hard year. Now we are looking at how much more we can do to serve our new customers because our sales increase is fluctuating between 25 and 50%. This came at the right time for us and will help our bottom line long into the future. It’s even better now that we know the Minnesota courts decided to not stop the project.”

The Minnesota Court of Appeals this week denied requests from Line 3 opponents to grant a stay that would have stopped construction until other lawsuits challenging the project’s approval are resolved. The Line 3 process started in 2014 during the Obama-Biden Administration. Enbridge submitted their application to the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC) in 2015 to replace Line 3 as part of the company’s integrity and maintenance driven program. The Line 3 project is now the most reviewed pipeline project in Minnesota history and has been reviewed by state and federal agencies and regulators for almost six years.

Final project permits were issued December 1^st and crews now have completed more than 1/3^rd of the work to replace the new $2.6 billion, 337-mile-long line. Beyond the direct impact from construction worker salaries, Line 3 has also created significant positive economic impacts for Plummer and other local communities.

The Bureau of Business and Economic Research (BBER) at the University of Minnesota Duluth’s Labovitz School of Business and Economics study estimated that that Line 3 will support 2,800 retail/hospitality sector jobs and 1,600 local supplier/manufacturer jobs. The study also shows indirect positive economic impacts will include more than $160 million in non-local worker spending on meals, lodging, and incidentals while working in the study area.

The Red River Ag store is located on US Hwy 59 in Plummer and sits approximately ½ mile west of the Line 3 pumping station. The company purchased the convenient store in 2017 and began making upgrades that were focused on store products & goods. They then worked on the exterior of the building where canopies were added, new gas pumps installed, and exterior painting took place.

“We bought the business because we wanted to invest in the community,” Yaggie said. “This is a great community, and we love seeing the positive impact from Line 3 construction. There is excitement and activity that is great and uplifting, considering what 2020 was like. The pipeline workers are very respectful and are happy to be able to get to work. We are all very thankful for the opportunity Line 3 is bringing and that things are finally getting better.”

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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