As the First Phase of Line 3 Construction Wraps Up, Area Businesses Say the Project Has Given Communities a Much-Needed Boost

JAG BODY SHOP IN BAGLEY HAS SEEN A SIGNIFICANT INCREASE IN THEIR SALES AND BUSINESS AS A DIRECT RESULT OF LINE 3 CONSTRUCTION AND SAY THE PROJECT HAS HELPED COMMUNITIES AND BUSINESSES ACROSS THE ROUTE

(BAGLEY, MINN) For almost two decades the JAG Body Shop has served customers in the Bagley area by offering towing services, equipment rentals, signs, decals, banners and other body work. While it has been able to develop a customer base, this year their sales have dramatically increased because of the Line 3 project. The business has extended its hours and is seeing an uptick in demand for all of their services from pipeline workers at a time when the entire community needed a boost.

“The change when construction work started was significant for our business,” said John Gerbracht, the JAG Body Shop co-owner. “For us it meant transitioning from being focused on thriving instead of just surviving the economic challenges from last year. We are now seeing an increase in all aspects of our business, which typically doesn’t simultaneously occur. There is no question that this is because of the construction of Line 3.”

Construction started in early December of 2020 across 14 counties and has now completed the first full phase of work. The project is now more than 50 percent complete as work will pause for a long-planned two-month break because of Minnesota’s road weight restrictions that are part of the transition from winter to spring. Line 3 has supported a workforce that at times exceeded 5,000 people as crews initially started clearing the route corridor of trees and moving sections of pipe to different locations to welding and installing other sections of the line.

The Line 3 Replacement project started in 2014 during the Obama-Biden Administration when there was a consent decree ordering Enbridge to replace the pipeline. Enbridge then worked with the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission to submit an application to seek approval for replacing Line 3 in 2015 as part of the company’s integrity and maintenance driven program. Line 3 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.

“The Line 3 project is tremendously helping communities across the route,” Gerbracht said. “We have been extremely busy with our tow trucks hauling vehicles to dealerships for repairs especially in these extreme cold temperatures. Line 3 is a much-needed infrastructure update for our community and for the entire country. In our business we need oil for our parts, paints, car repairs, to heat our buildings, and to run our equipment and trucks. Being on the local fire department for 20+ years, I have learned that the pipeline is the safest way to move oil from point A to point B.”

About the JAG Body Shop

The JAG Body Shop, LLC has been in business for 20 years in Bagley. The initials JAG are for John Arlo Gerbracht, the owner. When it first started, JAG initially offered auto body work, glass repair and replacement. The company has been able to grow its business and expand to include towing services, equipment rentals, signs, decals and banners. JAG now has five trucks and trailers that haul logs to the mills from different job sites.

“We work hard every day to earn the trust of our customers who count on us for so many different things,” Gerbracht said. “It has been great to be able to add more ways to serve our customers and we love being part of the community. After seeing the impact of the past year, it has been refreshing to see things change so quickly and in such a positive way because of Line 3.”

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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