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The hottest "it" career of 2026? The specialty trades, of course!
According to recent data, construction job-changers have out-earned every other sector nearly every month since August 2023. The reason? It's a story as old as the industry itself: supply and demand. With a limited labor pool and a hiring boom showing no signs of slowing, skilled workers have serious leverage (and they know it).
Add in a wave of new apprenticeships and trade programs bringing fresh talent into the pipeline, and the outlook for this industry is looking pretty bright 😎
All of which is to say that the work your companies do, and the people who do it, have never been more valuable. Here's to you, MBEXers (and yes, I'm cheers-ing you with my coffee mug as you read this) 🎉 🤩 ☕
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Five Quick Things To Know & Do This Week:
1.) Last Call - Registration for the Sporting Clays Scholarship Fundraiser on August 6 at Game Unlimited will close on Wednesday, July 28 at 3:00pm. Gather a team of 4-6 shooters (or sign up as an individual) and join us on the course next week! Contact Melanie with questions or if assistance is needed: melanie@mbex.org or (612) 381-2628.
2.) National Champion - Yes, she can! Dawn Plaisted, a second-year apprentice with Local 96 Roofers from Duluth, became the first woman ever to win the Roofers and Waterproofers National Apprenticeship Competition in May 2026, outperforming nine top apprentices from across the country.
3.) Talent Conference - Project Build Minnesota is once again hosting its Construction Talent Acquisition Conference on Wednesday, September 2. If you're a talent acquisition director, human resources professional, or charged with recruiting and retaining employees with a building and/or construction company, this conference is for you.
4.) DBE Certification Portal - In case you missed the announcement on July 13, the Minnesota Unified Certification Program (MNUCP) Disadvantaged Business Enterprise certification portal is now live in B2Gnow. DBEs currently recertified with the MNUCP can manage their certification online and monitor changes to their certification profile in Minnesota.
5.) Video Break - One of the most beautiful parts of working blue collar (and having coworkers from a completely different generation than you) 😂 🫣
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Inside Issue No. 30:
• Registration Open: Sporting Clays North on September 9 in Duluth
• June's Data: What the industry numbers tell us heading into Q3
• Tips & Tricks: How to use geographic locations to focus on your target market area(s)
• ESST Updates: New rules issued clarify Minnesota's Earned Sick and Safe Time
• Upcoming Events: Construction Estimating Principles & Application (Virtual Course - 8/4); Reading Construction Documents (Virtual Course - 8/5 & 8/6); Sporting Clays Scholarship Fundraiser (8/6); and Golf North (8/19)
• Project Download: Updated project information for the week of July 22-28
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REGISTRATION NOW OPEN: Sporting Clays North
Aim, pull, and shoot in Duluth on September 9
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MBEX is heading up to Old Vermilion Trail in Duluth for a full day on the course, and this year's event will be a little different than what you may be used to.
Rather than just an afternoon shoot, Sporting Clays North is running all day with 100-rounds across two different courses instead of just one.
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Date: Wednesday, September 9
Time: Event begins at 9:00am
Location: Old Vermillion Trail
(6980 Old Vermillion Trail, Duluth, Minn., 55803)
Cost: $150 per shooter
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Here's what you and your crew can expect throughout the day:
- 9:00am - Registration and check-in begin.
- 9:45am - Mandatory safety talk for all shooters.
- 10:00am - Shotgun start on the first of two courses of the day
- 12:00pm - BBQ lunch, then teams switch courses.
- 3:00pm - Happy Hour, team and individual awards, and door prize drawings.
At $150 per shooter, packages cover the full 100-round clay shoot, a shared golf cart, BBQ lunch, Happy Hour, and awards.
Teams can have 4-5 shooters, so start thinking about who from your company you want to invite to join you. Maybe extend an invite to a few of your partners you regularly do business with; we bet they'll have a great time, too.
This event typically draws a mix of people of different skill levels and spanning the industry (some seasoned shooters, plenty of first-timers). This kind of mix is exactly what makes Sporting Clays North a natural networking opportunity.
We mean it when we say you don't need to be an expert marksman to have a good time; show up, be present, and meet a few new people.
| | | Sponsorship opportunities are also available, from Golf Cart Sponsors to Station Sponsors and Lunch Sponsors. Explore all available opportunities when registering for the event. | | |
Mixed Signals & Cautious Confidence
What June's Construction Data Tells Us Heading Into Q3
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June's numbers weren't bad, honestly...but they weren't exactly popping champagne either.
Backlog slipped a little, planning cooled off after a historic run, and just when input costs finally took a breath, Washington dropped a new round of tariffs on Canada.
Let's walk through what's actually going on, per the data, because there's a lot to unpack before we get to the back half of 2026.
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👌 Backlog Ticked Down, But It's Still Historically Strong
Backlog dropped 0.3 months from May to June, landing at 8.8 months. Not great compared to May, but still a hair above where we were a year ago (8.7 months in June 2025).
As ABC's chief economist Anirban Basu put it, backlog "is still longer than any point from September 2023 to April 2026."
That headline number (8.8 months) is doing a lot of heavy lifting, and most of the weight is being carried by one sector. (You know the one. It's only been dominating headlines for months now 😏) Contractors with data center work under contract are sitting on an average of 2.5 more months of backlog than everyone else. And right now, only 8% of contractors under $100M in revenue have data center work on the books, compared to 41% of the big guys. For the 87% of builders not in that lane, the market feels a lot more competitive than the top-line number suggests.
📉 Planning Pulled Back, But Mostly Because Data Centers Did
The Dodge Momentum Index dropped 1.9% month over month in June, snapping a two-month streak of gains. The culprit? Data center planning finally pumped the brakes after what Dodge called "extraordinary levels." That moderation pulled the whole index down.
But here's the good news not found within the headline: nearly every other commercial sector improved in June. Traditional office, warehouses, retail hotels...all up month over month. Institutional planning (healthcare and education) jumped 10.9%.
Year over year, the index is still up 21.8% ahead of June 2025. Strip out data centers entirely, and the commercial segment still grew 7.6% year over year.
🫣 Input Costs Dipped in June; Don't Get Too Comfortable
Construction input prices fell 1.1% month over month in June, driven mostly by a drop in oil. Crude petroleum prices dropped 12.1% for the month, giving the whole index a breather. It was cause for a little celebration....
Sorry, but don't take the drinks off ice just yet.
Overall input prices are still 7.6% higher than a year ago. Basu was pretty direct: "Ongoing material price escalation is likely over the coming months." Between the Iran conflict driving oil prices back up roughly 15% (hello, $4.15 a gallon at the pump), and ongoing tariff pressure on steel, aluminum, and copper, that one-month reprieve is probably just that: one month.
AGC's Ken Simonson added that fuel prices were already rising again by the time June's data was collected. The numbers looked better than the reality on the ground.
🍁 And Then There's Canada.
Right when the cost picture was offering a flicker of optimism, a new tariff announcement landed.
President Trump has ordered a 50% tariff on a wide range of Canadian imports set to kick in on August 19. It applies regardless of USMCA status, so don't assume your Canadian suppliers are protected because the trade agreement exists.
Two key things for Midwest contractors to know:
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First, cement is the big one. According to construction attorneys quoted by Construction Dive, the tariffs hit cement directly at 50%, and cement touches everything. Highways, bridges, foundations, infrastructure, industrial facilities, multi-family developments, large commercial, you name it. If you're doing concrete-intensive work, this is a real number that needs to show up in your cost modeling.
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Second, your existing contracts may be exposed. "Contractors often price work months before purchasing materials. A 50% tariff can quickly make existing estimates obsolete and increase the risk of disputes over who bears the additional cost," Trent Cotney of Adams & Reese shared. Translation: go back and look at your open bids and active contracts right now. Check whether you have tariff escalation, change-in-law, or force majeure provisions that give you any room to move. If you don't, start adding that language going forward, and shorten your bid validity windows in the meantime.
The good news, such as it is: steel, aluminum, and copper are already covered under Section 232 tariffs and are excluded from this particular action. The whole thing is still subject to change before August 19, depending on how negotiations shake out between Washington and Ottawa.
But plan for it to stick. The cumulative tariff exposure right now (overlapping programs, potential Canadian retaliation, and shifting product classifications) is about as complicated as it's been. Get updated supplier quotes, confirm how long pricing holds, and build escalation language into every agreement you can.
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The Bottom Line
Backlog is solid but concentrated. Planning activity is healthy but data-center-dependent. Costs caught a brief break, then tariffs showed up to say, "Got ya." The fundamentals are there, but the margin environment is unforgiving right now, and it's likely to only get more complicated.
Price accordingly, protect yourself contractually, and don't assume yesterday's numbers still apply to today's bids.
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PLAN ROOM TIPS & TRICKS:
Using Geographic Locations to Focus on Your Target Market Area(s)
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One of the fastest ways to make your Plan Room experience more useful is to get specific about geography. MBEX's Plan Room lets you filter projects by location so you're not wading through work in markets you don't serve.
MBEX reports on projects in Minnesota, Iowa, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin, and all five states are included in your membership.
Here's how to make the most of geographic filtering:
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Start with Your Primary Service Area
If you're a Twin Cities-based contractor, filter for the metro counties first. If you're a Duluth-based contractor, focus on counties in the Northland. And so on.
If you serve the full state of Minnesota, or beyond, set a broader geographic parameter and plan to sort by distance or county within your results.
Think About Where You Want to Grow, Not Just Where You've Always Worked
Geographic filters are a great tool for scoping out new markets. Add a county or region you've been curious about and see what's out there.
Layer Geography with Trade Filters
Designating a geographic location alone will return everything in the area. Combined with your keywords and CSI (division) codes, your search filters will return projects actually relevant to your scope of work.
It's worth noting that our system is not foolproof; projects outside of your desired territories may slip into your results from time to time. But, by designating a specific area or territory, the total number of results you'll need to sort through will be fewer and far more specific to those projects of interest.
Save Location-Specific Search Filters
If you regularly pursue work in multiple distinct areas (like the Twin Cities metro plus Duluth), create and save separate filters for each. It keeps your pipeline clean and makes it easier to manage workload by region.
How to Set Geographic Locations within Search Filters
1.) Begin by either setting up a brand-new project search filter or editing an existing one.
2.) Scroll to the bottom of the setup screen until you see the state of Minnesota under the header "States & Counties" in the lower left-hand corner (see image on the left below). Click on it. A full map of the United States will open in a new window.
REMINDER: MBEX covers 5 states: Minnesota, Iowa, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin. Selecting others outside of those listed will not generate projects out for bid in those areas.
3.) Select your areas of interest. To select specific counties, click into the desired state and select each county of interest one by one. (You'll know you've made a selection when it turns bright green. See image on the right below.) To select an entire state, click into it and then select the 'Select All' button found at the top of the window.
4.) Once all selections have been made, click the red 'Close' button.
5.) Save your changes by clicking 'Save Filter'.
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Have questions about utilizing the geographic filtering options, setting up your search filters, or navigating the Online Plan Room in general?
Reach out to either Ashlee or Melanie; we're here to help!.
We also encourage you to join us for our next monthly Plan Room Demo on August 20. Our monthly demos are free for members and happen on the third Thursday of every month at 9:00am.
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New Rules Clarifying Minnesota's Earned Sick & Safe Time
What Changed & Recommended Next Steps
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Minnesota's Earned Sick and Safe Time law has been on the books for two and a half years, but plenty of gray areas have lingered since it took effect. That changed recently when the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry issued new administrative rules designed to answer the practical, day-to-day questions employers have been wrestling with ever since.
The rules don't rewrite the ESST statute; they clarify it, covering everything from how to determine employee eligibility to how accrual mechanics work to when employers can request documentation.
For construction employers managing variable crews, shift schedules, and seasonal workers, several of these clarifications carry big implications.
MBEX member Bassford Remele, a leading labor and employment law firm in Minnesota, has put together a thorough breakdown of the key changes. Below is a summary, followed by Bassford Remele's recommended next steps for employers looking to make sure they're in compliance.
(We also highly recommend reading the full article, as we will not be including everything in our summary below.)
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👷 Eligibility: The "80-Hour" Determination
The statute states that employees are ESST-eligible if they are anticipated to work 80 hours in a year in Minnesota.
The rules clarify that employers must make this determination in good faith, based on the employee's anticipated schedule and work location, and that the determination cannot be knowingly false or made in reckless disregard of the truth.
Importantly, even if an employer initially determines an employee won't hit 80 hours, the employee becomes eligible if they actually work 80 hours. It is important to monitor and track those employees who are not anticipated to work 80 hours, particularly if they are picking up shifts, working overtime, or their schedule changes.
📋 Documentation & Misuse
Employers may require reasonable documentation when ESST is used for more than two consecutive scheduled workdays, provided the requirement is clearly communicated in advance, and the employee is given reasonable time to comply.
Employers may also request documentation for suspected misuse, even for shorter absences, where there is a pattern or clear instance of concern. For example, repeated ESST use adjacent to a scheduled day off, repeated use of increments of 30-minutes at the start/end of a shift, or use on a day off previously denied for other leave.
Misuse of ESST (using it for a non-qualifying reason) is not protected under the law and may be grounds for discipline, but employers cannot deny future legitimate ESST use based on past suspicion or misuse.
📣 Interplay with Other Leaves & Local Ordinances
• More Generous PTO Policies: If an employer's PTO or other paid-leave policy exceeds ESST's minimums, the excess time is still subject to ESST's protections whenever it's used for an ESST-qualifying reason (illness, safe time purposes, caring for a family member, etc.), even though the excess itself isn't required by the ESST statute.
• Local Ordinances: The new rules do not preempt local ESST ordinances in Minneapolis or St. Paul. Employers must comply with whichever standard, state or local, is more favorable to the employee.
• Minnesota Paid Leave: The rules reiterate that Minnesota Paid Leave is treated as a separate "salary continuation benefit" and is not subject to ESST's minimum standards.
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Recommended Next Steps
The Bassford & Remele Labor and Employment Practice Group recommends the following steps be taken to ensure your company is ESST compliant:
1.) Review and, if needed, update your written ESST policy and employee notices to reflect the accrual year, accrual/frontloading method, and documentation procedures you use.
2.) Confirm your payroll processes credit ESST no later than the applicable payday each pay period.
3.) Train managers and HR staff on the good-faith eligibility determination, indeterminate-shift deduction rules, and the limits on requesting documentation.
4.) Audit any attendance-incentive programs for disparate treatment of ESST use versus other leave types.
5.) If you operate in Minneapolis or St. Paul, confirm you are applying the more generous of the state or local requirement.
If you have specific questions, we encourage you to reach out to Bassford Remele or your own legal counsel directly.
| | | Bassford Remele actively monitors rulemaking, agency guidance, and legislative developments at the state and local level so that its clients can modify their policies and procedures, if appropriate. | | | |
A valuable benefit of an MBEX membership is invitations to our social and educational events; by being an employee of a member company, you, too, can take advantage and attend all MBEX-sponsored events.
** indicates a newly added or updated event
August 4 - Construction Estimating & Principles [Online Course]
This half-day estimating course tackles both the principles and the technology behind competitive bids, covering advanced estimating concepts like cost analysis, risk management, escalation, and flexibility, alongside a practical look at how digital tools like Bluebeam Revu can produce faster, more consistent estimates. Sign Up
August 5 & 6 - Reading Construction Documents [Online Course]
Designed to quickly build confidence and skill set, this course, offered through our partnership with UChapter2, covers the fundamentals of how to read and understand construction documents. From identifying title block information to reviewing floor plans, elevations, and combing through specification sections, participants will learn how to navigate a full set of drawings and interpret material and construction requirements with clarity. Sign Up
August 6 - Sporting Clays Scholarship Fundraiser
Registration closes at 3:00pm on Wednesday, July 29
Aim, pull, and shoot to raise funds for the MBEX Scholarship Fund at this annual outdoor event at Game Unlimited Hunting Club. Register
August 19 - Golf North - Only 4 team spots left!
Join MBEX for a day on the greens of Ridgeview Country Club in Duluth, a favorite annual tradition bringing together golf, networking, and plenty of friendly competition. Register
August 20 - Online Plan Room Demo
From navigating the Deskpad, setting up filters, understanding project information, and adding your company to a project's bidders list, this free one-hour session is a great introduction to our Online Plan Room. Register
August 25 - Bluebeam 1: Baseline Basics
This session teaches attendees how to navigate menus, toolbars, panels, shortcuts, and key settings. Attendees will also get hands-on with markup and measurement tools, plus insider tips that boost speed, accuracy, and proficiency. Sign Up
August 26 - Bluebeam 2: Material Takeoffs & Estimates (Basic)
This session introduces standard measurement tools and markup customization options to help convert highlighters into powerful takeoff tools. With emphasis on the Markups List and workflow tips, this session helps estimators improve speed and accuracy from day one. Sign Up
August 27 - Bluebeam 3: Material Takeoffs & Estimates (Advanced)
Learn to create custom columns, embed formulas, organize information, and export or live-link Excel templates. Sign Up
September 2 - Construction Talent Acquisition Conference
This conference, presented by Project Build Minnesota, brings together recruiters, HR professionals, and talent acquisition leaders from across the building and construction industry for a day of learning, networking, and practical retention and recruitment solutions. Learn More
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• Total Projects Received at MBEX from 7/20/2026 - 7/24/2026: 92
• Total Project Leads Reported on at MBEX from 7/20/2026 - 7/24/2026: 22
• Total Active Projects Received / Reported on at MBEX as of 7/28/2026: 338
• Total 2026 Projects posted to the Online Plan Room as of 7/28/2026: 3,815
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Click the button above to view the most recent project data from 7/22/2026 - 7/28/2026.
For information about the Bulletin's content, technical issues, or to place an ad (such as a Minority
Notice, Job Posting, or Event Notice), contact Ashlee, Membership + Communications Director.
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UPCOMING MBEX EVENTS
• August 4 - Construction Estimating Principles & Application
• August 5 & 6 - Reading Construction Documents [Online Course]
• August 6 - Sporting Clays Scholarship Fundraiser
• August 19 - Golf North
• August 20 - Online Plan Room Demo
• August 25 - Bluebeam 1: Baseline Basics
• August 26 - Bluebeam 2: Material Takeoffs & Estimates (Basic)
• August 27 - Bluebeam 3: Material Takeoffs & Estimates (Advanced)
• September 2 - Construction Talent Acquisition Conference
• September 9 - Sporting Clays North
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Information within the MBEX Weekly Bulletin are obtained from sources deemed reliable. The Midwest Builders Exchange (MBEX) does not assume responsibility for its completeness or accuracy. You are urged to check your own sources in addition to the information contained in this publication. This issue contains plans and other bidding information received prior to and including the date noted above. The project data within this newsletter is intended for member company's and their employees use only.
2026 BOARD OFFICERS: President - Brian Kalla, St. Cloud Acoustics; Vice President - Sean Ochis, Northern Industrial Insulation; Treasurer - Allie Brady, Veit USA; Past President - Heidi Sedlacek, Associated General Contractors of Minnesota
2026 DIRECTORS: Kevin Bohrer, Donlar Construction; Ben Bowman, Adolfson & Peterson; David Brandt, Schadegg Mechanical; Matt Lennartson, RJM Construction; Chris Niemand, Frattalone Companies; Jason Rentmeester, Kraus-Anderson Construction; Harry Rothstein, Weidner's Mechanical Contractors; Jim Rothstein, Erickson Electric; and Alanna Soukkala, Holden Insurance Agency.
MBEX STAFF: David Siegel - Executive Director; Julie Miller - Executive Assistant / Project Coordinator / Accounting; Ashlee Hartwig - Membership & Communications Director; Melanie Hendrickson - Events & Membership Coordinator; Jeff Boelter - Project Acquisition & Plan Room Support; Shauna Baska - Project Reporter & Bidders Lists; Ka Yang - Addenda & Apparent Lows; Peggy Esboldt, Madison Gentil & Michelle Siegel - Project Reporters; Don O'Connor - Independent Event Planning Contractor
You are receiving this email because you are employed by a current member company in good standing or have indicated you wanted to receive MBEX's Weekly Bulletin. Unsubscribe from the Weekly Bulletin
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