As a public hearing on the proposed Burleigh-Emmons Wind Farm is expected to proceed today at the Bismarck Event Center, a trade union has decided to throw its weight behind the project being spearheaded by Chicago-based Pure New Energy USA. Forty to 50 union members plan to attend the public meeting scheduled for 5:15 p.m.

“It just brings a lot of money to the community,” said Steve Cortina, of the Laborers’ International Union of North America Local 563.

LIUNA researcher Lucas Franco estimates local workers employed at the wind farm during construction would contribute $10 million to $12 million in direct spending back into the area as a result of their employment. Developer PNE said it expects to hire 300 people for construction of the wind farm and it plans to find those workers locally.

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