Some local businesses in the Village of Boyle have been experiencing a summer bump in the cash flow due to the Norlite Pipeline Project.
The construction of the 24-inch diluent pipeline – from Strathcona County just west of Bruderheim all the way up to Fort McMurray – is divided into six different spreads with the second spread running right through the Boyle area.
The project, which is under construction by Waschuk Pipeline Construction and Enbridge Inc., brought in a number of workers last summer and this summer. Starting this year in March, there are currently about 300 workers in the area, but Waschuk Pipeline superintendent Doug Denk said that number will double by Sept. 10.
“Between us and Enbridge, there will be over 600 people in the area,” Denk said. “This is the third time we worked out of this town and they get some pretty good economic benefits from us. Workers are staying in private residences or setting up trailers all around the area. It’s a nice boost for local business.”
Boyle’s chief administrative officer Charlie Ashbey said he’s excited for the increase in business activity in the village, and noted that he’s already seeing signs of the expanded population.
“We’re starting to notice long line ups in grocery stores, he said. “It certainly makes a big impact on Boyle businesses.”
The increase in business has come to no surprise for local business owner, village councillor and president of Boyle and District Chamber of Commerce Sam Assaf. He said that since the project began about two years ago, it has been a big driving factor for Boyle business during the summer months.
“To be honest with you (for the) last few years the pipeline ¬– (during) the summer, the fall and the spring – has given a huge boost to the Boyle businesses,” he said.
Assaf added that vacationers and pipeline workers make up approximately 70 per cent of Boyle’s summer business, which he said was a general estimate he received from his fellow business owners. He added that other business owners estimate that about 30 per cent of business is coming from Boyle residents.
“That’s a very, very low number,” he said “Most business people I’ve talked to they give me that estimate. Every business owner knows how many (are) local and how many are not.”
“Personally, I can tell you that out of ten (people), nine of them are outsiders to one local,” he added.
With the pipeline project to be finished by mid-November according to Denk, Assaf said the “economic boost” will be coming to an end shortly, and is strongly encouraging Boyle residents to shop locally.
“We need local people to support us more, and that’s the whole key right there,” he said. “On behalf of the chamber of commerce, I’d like to see all the Boyle people support local (businesses) you know what I mean? Because we have lots of people that can support local business.”
