As Construction Work Continues, Minnesota Mayor Highlights How Line 3 Is Creating Immediate and Long-term Benefits

AITKIN MAYOR MEGAN WORKMAN SAYS LINE 3 CONSTRUCTION HAS IMMEDIATELY HELPED LOCAL BUSINESSES AND NEW TAX REVENUE WILL CREATE LONGER-TERM BENEFITS FOR LOCAL RESIDENTS AFTER CONSTRUCTION

(AITKIN, MINN) For much of last year, businesses in Aitkin and across Northern Minnesota have struggled to survive. Communities also have had to face other, longer-term economic challenges from COVID-19 and the restrictions that kept customers and visitors away. For Aitkin, the first few months of 2021 have been dramatically different. Construction work to replace Line 3 has not only immediately brought needed customers and spending to local businesses, it has also created a positive tax impact that will help residents in the long term.

Aitkin Mayor Megan Workman said the change in her community has been noteworthy and much needed to help everyone improve from what was a challenging 2020. “Our local, rural businesses have had a harder time recovering from the state-mandated shutdowns due to Covid-19,” Aitkin Mayor Megan Workman said. “Line 3 construction immediately meant more people coming to our area, and that is boosting economic activity across the entire community. What is equally important is the fact the new economic activity from the project also means the county will have increased tax revenue which will help take the burden off local homeowners.”

Aitkin is located north of Lake Mille Lacs and just south of the Line 3 route. When construction started, businesses in the community immediately saw new customers looking for places to stay, meals to eat, and other goods from local businesses. Work started in December of last year and is now more than one-third complete. The project is now preparing for a planned, temporary pause of work in some areas. This is because of State of Minnesota weight restrictions for area roads related to frost and seasonal changes.

The process to replace Line 3 started in 2014 during the Obama-Biden Administration where there was a consent decree ordering Enbridge to replace the pipeline. The company then submitted their application to the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC) in 2015 as part of its 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.

“Line 3 is important to our local communities not only in economic terms but in terms of safety,” Mayor Workman said. “Replacing the old pipeline significantly reduces the risk of environmental disasters that could occur as a result of a decaying older pipeline. This is about replacing something that needs it and having a new pipeline will make our community and natural resources safer.”

Aitkin started as a station of the Northern Pacific Railroad and was originally founded as a township on September 13, 1870. It was officially incorporated on August 19, 1889 and re-incorporated on March 16, 1915. It is located close to a number of lakes and only two hours from the Twin Cities metro area. Community leaders work hard to promote and protect the special quality of life the community continues to offer.

“My husband and I are raising the fourth generation of Workman’s in Aitkin,” Workman said. “I want to make sure that Aitkin continues to be a thriving town and a first-choice place to live, play, and retire. There is a strong commitment from so many to make sure we have a community that can support and offer good jobs as well as affordable housing. One way we can make sure these goals are reached is to make sure Aitkin delivers on its commitment to be financially healthy and responsible.”

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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