The economic impact of the Enbridge pipeline construction continues to be felt in Morden and surrounding area.

According to Morden and District Chamber of Commerce (MDCC) Chair Michelle Sawatzky, members have been welcoming of the influx of new workers to the region.

"Our members have had a positive attitude towards the pipeliners. We've seen a boom on the retail side, restaurants, hotels, gas stations."

Sawatzky says these businesses are seeing the first wave of spending in the community. "Then it trickles all the way through to your shops, tourism. Pipeliners, when they have a day off they're checking out what we have to offer in our region."

Michelle Sawatzky

Not only is money being brought in from the retail and hospitality sectors, but landowners are benefiting from the long-term land use, the pipeline has hired local workers, and manufacturers have been supplying materials, says Sawatzky.

Food stores, in particular, have seen an increase in sales activity.

"We've definitely seen a difference and an increase in sales with as many people as having come to call Winkler and Morden home in the last while. They've been really good for business in both our petroleum as well as our food stores," says Winkler CO-OP General Manager Evan Toews.

Evan Toews

Economic benefits don't just stop at the pipeline workers buying products and services in the community, but Enbridge investing in the communities themselves.

Across 55 communities in Manitoba and Saskatchewan Enbridge has donated $1.35 million, supporting various organizations and not-for-profit agencies.

Looking at the local area, Toews says the equity generated by pipeline workers sales will go back into the community.

"We've made an agreement with them that we would donate their equity that they accrue through a single number together, and I can say that's going to be many thousands of dollars and we're going to donate that locally with Enbridge and SA Energy."