Nevada Pipeline Project

NEVADA, MO.--- Nevada Chamber of Commerce Director, Gina Ensor, wants to attract oil field workers to the area.

"We want them to know how much we appreciate the oil and gas industry in this region and that we do have those resources available to them," said Gina Ensor, Executive Director.

This summer, the Enbridge Corporation will begin building a 600-mile long pipeline from Flanigan, Illinois. The line will go through Vernon County's neighboring county, Bates. Ensor estimates they are 30 to 60 miles away and have resources others cities may not.

"A lot of the places they are going through in the pipeline route are pretty remote," says Ensor.

Ensor has talked with company leaders expressing her interest in bringing the workers to their area. Now, she's encouraging businesses to create a profile of what they can offer.

"They're going to need some place to lay their head at night. They're going to need gas stations, grocery stores, hardware stores," says Ensor.

Courtney Black is a hardware store manager who has shown interest.

"We have a lot of tools and accessories to start the pipeline and continue with the project and digging," says Courtney Black, Sutherlands Manager.

He says the workers may need certain tools like saws, shovels, and lumber.

"We give them the ability to shop close to where they don't have to travel as far or wait on products to come in. We can just have them on hand," says Black.

While nothing is yet a guarantee, both Black and Ensor agree that more people could bring added revenue and business to the area.

"It's going to be good for all businesses, restaurants, and the motels and things like that. So, just increased economy in Nevada would be great," says Ensor.

So far, the chamber director says 30 businesses have expressed interest. The Enbridge Corporation says after the end of March, they will know more about where some of their offices will be located along the line.