Tribute for Underground Utility Construction Companies

A tribute to our Dynamic and recognition of the founders of pipeline construction and underground utilities construction companies, their employees and employees’ families in the 7 County Area between Thief River Falls and Bemidji, Mn.

These companies are Northern Pipeline Construction, Sovde Construction, North Central Service, Wilde Construction, Aconite Construction, Clearwater Energy and Gustafson & Gouge. They were founded in the Thief River Falls through Bemidji Minnesota seven county area as early as the late 1960’s. There will be speakers including founders, union representatives, government officials and more. The ceremony concludes with the unveiling of a monument as a tribute to the founders and to this Very Special Work Force that has evolved during the last 48 years.

A lunch will be available and the gym is available for the remainder of the day for visiting. Anyone who has worked or works in these industries is welcome to attend as well as the general public. Please plan to attend and mark the date on your calendar.

Please RSVP. Knowing how many people plan to attend this event will be very helpful in the planning of all aspects of this event. Please RSVP by clicking the Register button. Tickets are free. Emails are not sold. Emails are only kept on file until after the event and then deleted. If you do not wish to use the computer please register with Vance at 612-508-4589.Thank you. Register! DO IT NOW!

When

Saturday, September 3, 2016 from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM (CDT) – Add to your calendar.

Where

Clear Waters Life Center (Old Gonvick School) in Gonvick, Minnesota - 226 Elm St, Gonvick, MN

Organizer of Tribute to

Our Dynamic

Background: Vance Norgaard began working for Northern Gas Line Constructors in 1969 and stayed with the firm until 1989. Over the last several years, he looked at local history books and did not find any recognition of the underground construction industry in this area. He knew from his studies that the local underground construction companies and their local employees play a large part in our local economy. He also began to see how two people who met at a drive-in in the 1960s started a dynamic that has evolved into the industry asset that we have here today in the 7 county area. And to see how these companies through their growth and far reaching expertise continually act as a conduit for local people to learn new skills as renewable energy, for example, grows.

 He believes the general public does not understand the sacrifices workers and their families pay to build our system of energy and communications in the U.S.A. The local public does not see the workers working nor their product as much of the work is not local and the final product is underground and invisible. An employee may be gone for most of the week or longer and his wife is home alone and responsible for all household chores and child rearing. The pay is good and multi-millions of dollars of disposable are brought home each year and ultimately invested in the local 7 county area. The people who run these companies must compete for their work on a national basis against other national companies and in order to get the opportunity to bid one must have a competent proven safe working company with competent experienced employees many of whom are local. And at the end of the day they need a black figure above the bottom line. 

 He looked at adding a chapter about the local dynamic into existing history books; he looked at putting up a billboard; he considered having a large sign made out of stainless steel; and then the idea came to erect a granite monument. He purchased a lot in Gonvick, MN, procured permissions for images, did interviews, wrote the story, designed the monument to fit the idea and took his concept to a monument company near Cold Spring, Minn., and the result will be unveiled in Gonvick during this tribute ceremony.