Michigan small business has big impact
March 29 marks National Mom and Pop Business Owners Day
April 1, 2026
As he drives around St. Ignace, a smile, friendly wave or nod of acknowledgment are among the simple gestures that help shape Steven Paquin’s view of connectivity.
The owner of Belonga Plumbing & Heating knows connectivity when it comes to water lines, furnaces, thermostats, and HVAC systems.
What inspires the enrolled member of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians, though, are the connections that come from community.
“This is a small, tight-knit community,” said Paquin, a St. Ignace native and resident. “Everyone knows everyone, and it’s important for us to be here to help one another.”
Family and community are at the heart of Paquin’s small business.
His familiarity started with the company more than three decades ago, with his mother working there as a secretary for more than five decades.
Having acquired the company in 2017, Paquin now counts various combinations of families—a father and two sons, and a husband and wife—among his 19 employees.
For his customers and employees, Paquin keeps safety at the forefront.
“The drills and exercises are impressive. They are wonderful examples of safety preparedness.”
—Steven Paquin, owner of Belonga Plumbing & Heating, on Enbridge’s emergency response program
Paquin, who also is the St. Ignace Fire & Rescue Deputy Chief, credits Enbridge’s safety standards for enhancing his company’s safety preparedness.
While his employees receive safety training related to their daily work, they also are prepared to help others.
“All of our employees are trained in first aid and CPR,” said Paquin. “We hope we don’t have to use it, though we’re prepared if we need to help someone, especially on Mackinac Island or in St. Ignace, where we work frequently.”
As a contractor, Paquin has toured the Enbridge Straits Maritime Operations Center and participated in Enbridge’s drills and exercises as a local first responder.
Having seen Enbridge’s safety preparedness programs in action, Paquin readily shares his support for Enbridge Line 5 in the Straits and for building the Great Lakes Tunnel.
To emphasize his support for Line 5, Paquin recalled the recent 24-hour closure of the Mackinac Bridge due to falling ice.
“If we had to rely on trucks to transport the fuel and propane that Line 5 provides safely every day, they wouldn’t have been able to get here,” Paquin said.
“Regardless of the weather, Line 5 keeps things moving.”
Belonga Plumbing & Heating is among approximately 983,000 small businesses in Michigan. Small businesses employ an estimated 1.9 million people in Michigan and comprise approximately 99% of Michigan’s businesses, according to the U.S. Small Business Administration Office of Advocacy.
Each year, March 29 marks National Mom and Pop Business Owners Day.
“We extend appreciation to Belonga Plumbing & Heating and all the small businesses throughout Michigan,” said Lauren Brown, Enbridge senior advisor, community engagement.
“They help strengthen our communities and share Enbridge’s commitment to Michigan.”
