After Reduced Occupancy in 2020, Line 3 Construction is Giving Grand Rapids Hotels Best Months in Years

AFTER A 40% DROP IN OCCUPANCY, I M HOTEL IN GRAND RAPIDS SEES 100% OCCUPANCY RATES DURING LINE 3 CONSTRUCTION

(GRAND RAPIDS, MINN) Like many businesses, I M Hotel by Timberlake and Timberlake Lodge in Grand Rapids had seen a drastic decrease in business, with occupancy rates falling nearly 40% because of the pandemic hitting tourism and traveling. As industries begin to rebound, General Manager Kris Ives credits the Line 3 pipeline project for bringing their hotel up to 100% occupancy for the month of January, thanks to pipeline workers.

“The Line 3 Project has given us one of the best few months of the past 3 – 4 years,” said Ives. “Average occupancy rate for a hotel, prior to the pandemic, was around 58%. The pipeline project saved us, and we are so grateful for the boost to our business.”

In 2014, under an Obama/Biden Administration consent decree, it was agreed this pipeline, originally built in the 1960s, posed great risk if left untouched and needed to be replaced. Six years of permitting, reviews and the largest pipeline study in Minnesota history led to the point where we are today, with construction in progress.

Not only does Ives support the benefit to her business, but she understands the need for this project as a whole. Ives said, “The right thing to do is to replace Line 3, which is 60 years old and deteriorating. It’s imperative to replace it with a new state-of-the-art pipeline that uses modern technology. Underground transportation of oil will keep our economy moving safely and will provide us with the reliable energy we need.”

Construction has been underway for just over three months, and there are more than 5,400 pipeliners working on the project across the 14 counties along the pipeline route. Ives said the workers are a welcomed addition to their town.

“The pipeline workers are extremely polite, very kind to housekeeping staff, are engaging with our staff, and merging well into our community,” said Ives. “They’re constantly traveling throughout the town, taking care of their personal needs from filling their gas tanks to grocery shopping to eating at restaurants or shopping retail stores to stock up on warm winter clothing and more. All of them are very safety-minded and adhere to strict COVID-19 protocols. They are now local residents, and we are happy to have them here.”

Timberlake Lodge and I M Hotel by Timberlake are operated by a family-owned company under the name of Grand Hospitality LLC. Family members are participants not spectators and pride themselves on being a place where you will always find ‘family on duty’. Kris Ives is the General Manager of the I M Hotel by Timberlake. She also sits on the Visit Grand Rapids Board of Directors. Her husband Burl is the Facilities Manager. The children are involved too.

In 2000, the family bought the local Super 8 property and began making major exterior improvements, which included roof lines, canopies and a new exterior look, and recently completed their multi-year remodel project entirely focused on the interior of the building.

The Timberlake Lodge was designated by Enbridge as the Headquarters for the onboarding process of the Line 3 Replacement Project. Ives is proud of this fact, and said “Line 3 is a positive project that’s delivering strong economic benefits to communities along the route, following numerous difficulties experienced because of the pandemic.”

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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