Line 3 Construction Boosts Sales and Doubles Employment at Northern Minnesota Company

DUE TO INCREASED SALES, LAKES CONCRETE PLUS OF BEMIDJI, FOSSTON, NORTHOME, AND WALKER, MINNESOTA IS ABLE TO KEEP OVER DOUBLE THE USUAL EMPLOYEES ON STAFF

(BEMIDJI, MINN) For the past 15 years, Lakes Concrete Plus, Inc. has served northern Minnesota with their ready mix, aggregate materials, septic tanks, Amvic and misc. accessories. Like many small businesses, the pandemic hit them hard, but thanks to the Line 3 replacement project, they are seeing a much-needed boost to business in their typically slower cold weather months.

“This year, because of the Line 3 replacement project,” said Marc Olson, co-owner of Lakes Concrete Plus, “multiple employees who would have normally been laid off during the winter months were able to keep working.”

Lakes Concrete Plus, Inc is a locally owned and operated business with locations in Bemidji, Fosston, Northome & Walker. The business began in 2006 and currently employs 40 employees.

Typically, the winter months mean decreased sales and reduced manpower for Lakes Concrete Plus. “Normally, we maintain a few employees in our shop who do maintenance on our equipment preparing for the coming season,” said Olson. “With Line 3 coming though, we have had to keep over double the employees on staff due to increased sales, which is a great problem to have.”

Construction on Line 3 began in early December, and has surpassed the 50 percent completion mark. More than six years ago, the Obama/Biden Administration deemed the pipeline was in need of repair. Since then, Enbridge has worked with state and federal agencies to receive more than a dozen permits and been part of the longest pipeline study in Minnesota history to ensure this project can be completed safely.

“The Line 3 pipeline replacement project being under construction has been a huge boost to the start of our season,” said Olson. “All in all, company sales have been significantly higher in Q1 2021 compared to Q1 2020 as a direct result of the Line 3 Project. Not only are we grateful for the increased sales, but the pipeliners are friendly and easy to work with.”

To date, there are more than 5,000 workers who have been hired to work on the pipeline, and the ripple effect on communities in the 14 counties along the pipeline route has been immense. Now, as the project heads into its planned pause due to snow melting and the ground thawing, Lakes Concrete Plus continues to work on the Clearbrook pump station.

“The project has greatly impacted our community, and dozens more along the pipeline route, in an incredibly positive way,” Olson shared. “This pipeline project has kept many local businesses open and created jobs in our community.”

For Olson, if anything changed and this project was not allowed to continue forward, it would have a detrimental impact on their businesses. Olson noted, “If the Line 3 Replacement Project were to be halted, Lakes Concrete Plus would have to lay off employees. We are currently pouring concrete on a daily basis for the Clearbrook pump station, and that has been extremely helpful for our company and our staff.”

“I am proud to share the good news that Line 3 has brought to our company, especially to help us get through the hard times because of COVID,” said Olson. “I know I can safely speak for my fellow business owners and say that this pipeline project is a game changer for small businesses in Northern Minnesota.”

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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