In Addition to Directly Supporting Jobs, Line 3 Construction is Making it Possible for Other Businesses to Upgrade and Expand

NEW LINE 3 CUSTOMERS ARE HELPING FUND WORK TO EXPAND BEMIDJI’S ROYAL OAKS RV PARK

(BEMIDJI, MINN) While thousands of people have directly benefitted from Line 3 construction work, others have used the project’s positive economic impact to help expand and invest in locally-owned businesses. The Royal Oaks RV Park in Bemidji has not only served a number of Line 3 construction workers, the increased revenue has helped the owners upgrade and expand their facility. Work to replace Line 3 started in December of last year and is now more than 50 percent complete as the project takes a planned two month pause because of Minnesota road weight restrictions.

“Line 3 has brought us a lot of new customers at an important time for our business,” said Terri Curfman, owner of the Royal Oaks RV Park. “We normally do not open until the spring but this year Line 3 gave us the opportunity to change that. Knowing the project will keep more people in our park has made it possible for us to now move forward with some key work that will allow us to expand our park and be able to serve even more customers. For us it means not only an immediate impact for our business, but it will also help us well into the future. All of this is a direct result of Line 3 finally moving forward.”

After more than six years of review and permitting approvals, crews have already completed more than half of the Line 3 construction work in just four months. The project has supported a workforce that at times exceeded 5,000 people across the route’s 14 counties. Construction crews initially started clearing the route corridor of trees and moving sections of pipe to different locations, as well as welding and installing other sections of the line.

Work to replace Line 3 started in 2014 during the Obama-Biden Administration as part of a review of existing parts of America’s operating energy infrastructure. Regulators and the company agreed to a consent decree that ordered Enbridge to replace the pipeline. The company then worked with the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission and its review process by submitting an application to seek approval for replacing Line 3 in 2015. The replacement project was part of the company’s integrity and maintenance driven program. After years of review by state and federal agencies, Line 3 is now the most reviewed pipeline project in Minnesota history.

“You can see and feel the positive impact from Line 3 everywhere you go in our community,” Curfman said. “Grocery stores have more customers, hotels are full after surviving last year, gas stations are busy and there are children of workers enrolled in our schools. All of this brings immediate and needed spending and a boost to so many people. After surviving the last year and the challenges Covid brought, Line 3 is absolutely the best thing to happen for our community and at the right time.”

About Royal Oaks RV Park
The Royal Oaks RV Park is a family-owned business that is close to downtown Bemidji and a short drive to the Headwaters of the Mississippi. Curfman runs the park with her husband and her two teenage sons. The park has 55 full hook-up locations on its 18-acre property. Line 3 business has helped them fund work to add 34 additional hook-up sites by early summer that will allow Royal Oaks to support larger RV units.

“I grew up in a resort business but never liked having to clean cabins,” Curfman said. “At the same time, I have always loved meeting new people from across the country. The RV park was a perfect fit and it has been fun to be able to run and grow our business. This is a great part of Minnesota with so much to offer people. We love seeing families spend time here and Line 3 workers have been a great addition as well. Seeing the park expand and knowing we will have a busy year is such a great and needed change from last year.”

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

Stay Informed:
Be the first to know about Line 3 news as it happens by joining the Minnesotans for Line 3 email list.

Share This Story, Choose Your Platform!