Welcome to February, MBEXers! This month is a time to spread the love, and I'm not just talking about Valentine's Day. It's the perfect time to show appreciation and strengthen connections in our industry. Whether it's a client, a coworker, or a project partner, a little extra effort can go a long way. (I'm fond of caramel lattes, by the way 😉 ☕ 💖) | | |
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By Ashlee
Membership & Communications Manager
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Five Quick Things To Know / Do This Week:
1.) LAST-MINUTE SIGN UP: Tomorrow (February 5) is Meet The Estimators at Gresser Companies in Shakopee from 2:00pm-5:00pm, presented in partnership with MBEX, MCA, and MSA. As of noon on Tuesday, 24 General Contractors and 10 Professional / Subcontractors are attending along with more than 150 of your colleagues!
2.) CHECK OUT: Did you know UChapter2 offers Bluebeam Revu courses for document management, administrative professionals, and civil designers and engineers? These are taking place next week; give a look.
3.) CONGRATULATE: Finance & Commerce announced their finalists for the fifth annual Top Women in Construction awards. Congratulations to all, especially to the following who are also MBEX members:
• Companies to Watch:
Caroline Goodman (Grit Contracting) & Amy Simon (Amy's Windows)
• Industry Leadership:
Karla Sheehy (Absolute Commercial Flooring) & Cathy Schmidt (Stahl Construction)
• Outstanding Project Management / Estimating:
Allie Brady (Veit), Renae McQuillan (Kraus-Anderson) & Jennifer Radniekcki
(McGough)
• Outstanding Service to the Industry:
Jamie Jacobs (APX Construction Group), Chris Sandberg (Veit) & Kori Shingles
(JE Dunn Construction)
• Outstanding Tradesperson / Craftswoman:
Lisa Reineccius (Veit), Carmen Richardson (JE Dunn Construction) & Jerriann
Schmakel (Veit)
• Unsung Hero:
Becca Klots (JE Dunn Construction) & Rachel Roberts (Doran Companies)
4.) TAP: These are the top 10 construction apps to level up your mobile tech stack in 2025, according to Autodesk.
5.) CHUCKLE: When those long-honed Tetris skills come in handy.
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Inside This Issue:
• Road Show: Upcoming Regional MBEX Member Meetups across Minnesota
• Economic Roundup: Momentum faltered somewhat in 2024's final months
• Monthly Review: An overview of MBEX's past 31 days
• C&D Grants: Approximately $1.5M in funding available for regional planning efforts
• MBEX Events: View our updated events calendar
• NOW HIRING: Employment opportunity with Berwald Roofing
• Five Headlines: How Trump's tariffs will affect the industry, bonding talk heats up for Minnesota, good old mud can lower building costs, future-proofing commercial buildings, and wall-scaling robots
• Project of the Week: Aerospace Research Center planned for Rosemount
• Industry Event: Ramsey County project information session on February 11
• Member Benefit: Save with Verizon Wireless
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MBEX Coming to a City Near You | |
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Throughout February and early March, MBEX is hitting the road to bring networking opportunities directly to our members.
We're hosting four regional member meetups, and you're invited to join us for great food, drinks, and even better company:
ROCHESTER
• Tuesday, February 11
• Little Thistle Brewing (2031 14th St NW, Rochester, Minn., 55901)
DULUTH
• Tuesday, February 18
• Mr. D's Bar & Grill (5622 Grand Avenue, Duluth, Minn., 55807)
FARGO / MOORHEAD
• Tuesday, February 25
• Midtown Tavern (2223 Center Avenue, Moorhead, Minn., 56560)
ST. CLOUD
• Tuesday, March 4
• Crooked Pint Ale House (58 Division Street, Waite Park, Minn., 56387)
At each Member Meetup, attendees will enjoy a short safety talk with The Builders Group (TBG), free drinks and appetizers, interactive games and prize giveaways.
All meetups will be hosted from 3:00pm-6:00pm at the indicated locations above.
Invite your colleagues—members and non-members alike—and help spread the word about the benefits of MBEX membership and services for the commercial construction industry.
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While these meetups are free to attend, we kindly ask that you register in advance so we can plan for food and drinks.
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Construction Industry Momentum Slows | |
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Construction industry momentum faltered somewhat in the final months of 2024. Spending slowed and is roughly flat over the past year after accounting for inflation, while industry-wide job growth underwhelmed in December.
Despite this slight deterioration, contractor confidence remains elevated in the wake of November's presidential election, and the industry expects activity to accelerate throughout the first half of 2025.
Backlog Inches Lower, Contractor Confidence Soars
ABC's Construction Backlog Indicator fell by 0.1-months in December and is down 0.3-months over the past year. This is likely due to the effects of higher interest rates; the decline is entirely attributable to shorter backlogs in the commercial and institutional category.
Even so, industry-wide confidence remains elevated, with roughly 64% of contractors expecting their sales to rise over the next six months.
Spending Slips
Nonresidential construction spending fell in November and is up just 2.8% over the past year. Private sector nonresidential spending has been particularly weak, rising just 1.7% over the past year. That weakness, due largely to sagging in activity in interest-rate sensitive segments, would be significantly worse if not for the boom in manufacturing and data center construction.
Industrywide Job Growth and Labor Market Churn Slows
Construction industry employment increased by just 8,000 jobs in December, with hiring in the residential sector particularly weak.
Despite this slowing growth, the industry added jobs at a faster rate than the broader economy in 2024, and that elevated demand for labor led to outsized increases in wages. Average hourly earnings for construction workers increased 0.5 percentage points faster than economy-wide earnings over the past year.
While industry-wide job growth has been sluggish in recent months, the rate of workforce churn --- hires, quits, and layoffs --- reached historically low levels in November. This suggests that both contractors and their employees may have been in a holding pattern leading up to the election and that hiring may accelerate in the coming months.
Materials Prices Remain Stable
Construction input prices fell in December and are up just 0.9% over the past year. Iron and steel prices have exhibited particularly sharp declines, falling more than 10% over the past year. That fact that materials prices are virtually unchanged since the end of 2022 bodes well for contractor profit margins throughout 2025.
Looking Ahead
While the Federal Reserve has lowered the target range of the Federal Funds rate by a full percentage point since September, borrowing costs remain elevated due to high bond yields and inflation expectations. Many forecasters now expect just two interest rate cuts in 2025.
If, however, inflation comes in cooler than expected over the next few months, the path of rate cuts could accelerate, fueling a rebound in construction activity in the latter parts of the year.
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This information comes from Construction Futures, a monthly roundup on the commercial construction industry published in Construction Executive magazine.
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At the start of each new month, we look back at the past 30-ish days to review project progress, Online Plan Room stats, and membership goals.
Numbers reflected below shares data from the date range of January 1 - 31, 2025.
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Total # of Projects Added (January 2025) | |
Total # of Projects Added (January 2024) | |
Total # of Projects YTD (Jan 1- Feb 3) | |
New Member Companies Joined | | |
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No. of Members & Non-Members
Added to Bidders Lists
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Top 10 Most Viewed Projects (January 1-31)
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(1.) Maple Grove New Elementary School - Osseo Area Schools
• Total Visitors: 11,057
• Total Unique Visitors: 558
• Bid Date: January 15, 2025
• Project Location: Maple Grove, Minn.
• Project Category: Educational
• Project Type: New Construction
• Project ID: 2024-12AA
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(2.) Lake Johanna Fire Department HQ
• Total Visitors: 9,444
• Total Unique Visitors: 543
• Bid Date: January 30, 2025
• Project Location: Arden Hills, Minn.
• Project Category: Storage / Warehouse
• Project Type: New Construction
• Project ID: 2024-1302
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(3.) Maple Grove Senior High -
Additions & Renovations
• Total Visitors: 8,165
• Total Unique Visitors: 503
• Bid Date: January 21, 2025
• Project Location: Maple Grove, Minn.
• Project Category: Educational
• Project Type: Addition / Remodeling
• Project ID: 2024-1140
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(4.) City of Lakeville - First Center
• Total Visitors: 6,982
• Total Unique Visitors: 456
• Bid Date: January 30, 2025
• Project Location: Lakeville, Minn.
• Project Category: Local Government
• Project Type: Improvements
• Project ID: 2025-0005
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(5.) Eastview High School -
Activity Center Addition
• Total Visitors: 6,738
• Total Unique Visitors: 476
• Bid Date: February 4, 2025
• Project Location: Apple Valley, Minn.
• Project Category: Educational
• Project Type: Addition
• Project ID: 2025-001C
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(6.) St. Paul Public Library -
Hamline Midway
• Total Visitors: 6,350
• Total Unique Visitors: 432
• Bid Date: January 23, 2025
• Project Location: St. Paul, Minn.
• Project Category: Library
• Project Type: New Construction
• Project ID: 2024-12F3
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(7.) Cherokee Heights Elementary School - Building Systems Replacement
• Total Visitors: 4,758
• Total Unique Visitors: 362
• Bid Date: January 28, 2025
• Project Location: St. Paul, Minn.
• Project Category: Educational
• Project Type: Replacement
• Project ID: 2024-1341
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(8.) Shoreview City Offices
• Total Visitors: 4,609
• Total Unique Visitors: 422
• Bid Date: January 23, 2025
• Project Location: Shoreview, Minn.
• Project Category: Office Building
• Project Type: Remodeling
• Project ID: 2025-000C
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(9.) Scott County - Specialized Emergency Family Housing
• Total Visitors: 3,861
• Total Unique Visitors: 377
• Bid Date: February 4, 2025
• Project Location: Prior Lake, Minn.
• Project Category: Residential Complex
• Project Type: New Construction
• Project ID: 2025-00BB
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(10.) Central Lakes College - Brainerd Campus - Student Services Renovation
• Total Visitors: 3,796
• Total Unique Visitors: 350
• Bid Date: February 4, 2025
• Project Location: Brainerd, Minn.
• Project Category: Educational
• Project Type: Remodeling / Renovation
• Project ID: 2025-0081
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Construction & Demolition Management Planning Grants | |
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The Construction & Demolition (C&D) Management Planning Grants aim to promote collaboration among political subdivisions, including public-private and multi-county partnerships.
These grants support regional planning efforts such as:
• Developing partnerships and integrating new programs
• Creating efficiencies in managing C&D wastes
• Consolidating and enhancing existing programs
• Improving transportation networks
• Sharing resources, services and facilities
• Improving economic development
The grants also aim to inform future modifications to C&D infrastructure in counties across the state. Successful plans developed under this RFP will enable local governments and affected parties within the project service area to adopt informed best practices for C&D management and asses the infrastructure and programming needed for their specific waste shed.
Applications are due no later than 4:30pm on March 12, 2025.
Eligibility
Eligible applicants are political subdivisions or federally recognized tribes in Minnesota. Applicants are expected to subcontract with solid waste professionals who can manage the project to meet the demands of the comprehensive scope of work and timeline for development of a multi-participant C&D management plan and successful project completion within the limited grant period.
To be an eligible applicant, project must include a minimum of three individual tribe / county partners. A privately owned and currently operating C&D landfill may substitute for one tribe / county participant.
Eligible C&D management planning projects will encompass technical, operational, and financial analyses for waste reduction, reuse, and recycling, closure of unlined C&D landfills, expansion of lined landfill and transfer station systems, and development of new infrastructure to enhance service and capacity for underserved areas.
Available Funds
Approximately $1.5-million in funding is available to be awarded. Grant projects must be completed no later than June 30, 2026.
The maximum award is $300,000 and the minimum grant award is $50,000. Applications asking for less than the minimum will be deemed ineligible.
The minimum match requirement is 10% of the grant amount, either cash or in-kind, provided by any organization involved in the project.
How to Apply
The request for proposal (RFP) and application materials can only be viewed through the online SWIFT portal. The RFP is termed an "Event" within the SWIFT system.
1.) Go to the online SWIFT portal.
2.) Click "Bidding Opportunities."
3.) Find and view the event name (MPCA-C&D Management Planning Grants) or ID (2000016593).
4.) Click "View Bid Package" to see the RFP and forms.
Grant applications are only accepted through the SWIFT portal. Applicants interested in applying will need to register as a bidder in the system by clicking on the SWIFT Supplier Portal, then "Register for an Account and Register as a Bidder."
Questions
Submit questions about this grant to grants.pca@state.mn.us with the subject line "C&D Question" no later than 4:30pm on Tuesday, March 4, 2025. Answers to questions will be posted frequently in the SWIFT Supplier Portal.
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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 any and all MBEX-sponsored events.
** indicates a newly added event
February 5 - Meet the Estimators
Meet and engage with estimators from General and Prime Contractors and gain valuable insights into their bidding and procurement processes. Register Here
February 10 - Bluebeam 4: Document Management & Best Practices
Eliminate wasted time navigating through drawing sets and wondering who has the latest drawings. Register Here
February 11 - Bluebeam 5: Collecting Field Data
Learn to create and place custom punch symbols, quickly embed images or videos, and create summary reports. Register Here
February 11 - MBEX Regional Member Meetup: Rochester
Join us together with The Builders Group (TBG), the Minnesota Concrete Council, and the Electrical Association, and the Builders Exchange of Rochester for a casual gathering with food, drinks, and networking. Register Here
February 12 - Bluebeam 6: Administrative Professionals
Administrative teams have unique document workflows that demand a different set of tools compared to design and construction teams. Register Here
February 13 - Bluebeam 7: Civil Workflows
Yes, there are tools in Bluebeam Revu for Civil Designers and Engineers! Students will learn navigation and markups, flows like Calibrating Plan & Profile drawings with different X-Y scales, ideas for Cut & Fill calculations, combining several PDFs into one large area map, and adding images. Register Here
February 18 - MBEX Regional Member Meetup: Duluth
Join us together with The Builders Group (TBG), the Minnesota Concrete Council, and the Electrical Association for a casual gathering with food, drinks, and networking. Register Here
February 20 - Online Plan Room Demo
From navigating the Deskpad, setting up filters, understanding project information, and adding your company to a project's bidders lists, this free one-hour session is a great introduction to our Online Plan Room. Register Now
February 25 - MBEX Regional Member Meetup: Fargo / Moorhead
Join us together with The Builders Group (TBG), the Minnesota Concrete Council, and the Electrical Association for a casual gathering with food, drinks, and networking. Register Here
March 4 - MBEX Regional Member Meetup: St. Cloud
Join us together with The Builders Group (TBG), the Minnesota Concrete Council, and the Electrical Association for a casual gathering with food, drinks, and networking. Register Here
** April 16 - MBEX Spring Social
An annual social event providing members the opportunity to mingle, network and deepen their connections with fellow industry professionals. Registration will open in early March.
** May 7 - Young Professionals Network (YPN)
From college students, graduates and interns, to those just getting started within the construction industry, the MBEX Young Professionals Network will create a forum for emerging young professionals, providing resources to connect and begin networking. Registration will open in March.
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Berwald Roofing Company is looking for a detail-oriented and motivated professional to fill the role of Commercial Roofing Estimator / Project Manager.
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In this dual role, this position will be responsible for estimating project costs and managing the execution of roofing projects from start to finish. Their expertise in commercial roofing and project management will ensure that Berwald Roofing's projects are completed on time, within budget, and to the highest standards.
Key Responsibilities
- Accurately estimate the costs and materials needed for commercial roofing projects
- Prepare detailed project proposals and bids
- Manage project timelines, budgets, and resources
- See Job Posting for full listing of position's key responsibilities
Qualifications
- 5-years of proven experience as a Commercial Roofing Estimator and/or Project Manager
- In-depth knowledge of commercial roofing systems and materials
- Strong analytical and mathematical skills
- Excellent communication and negotiation abilities
- Proficient in project management and estimating software
- See Job Posting for full listing of desired qualifications
To Apply
Please send your resume and cover letter to info@berwaldroofing.com with the subject line "Commercial Roofing Estimator / Project Manager Application."
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Berwald Roofing Company prides themselves on delivering exceptional roofing solutions to their clients. Their dedication to quality and innovation has made them a trusted name in the industry.
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Five construction-related headlines you need to read over the next coffee break.
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ECONOMIC OUTLOOK
↕️ How Trump's Tariffs Will Affect the Construction Industry
By mid-2024, U.S. construction spending was down roughly $1.7-billion from the previous year. Now, construction businesses are strategizing how they can combat the impending policy changes President Donald Trump has pledged to impose. These changes could flip the construction industry on its head, and construction companies should be preparing for what's to come. (Pro Builder)
LEGISLATURE 2025
🔥 Bonding Talk Heats Up in Minnesota
Governor Tim Walz unveiled a $887-million "infrastructure plan," which offers $239-million for public safety projects, $206-million for building upkeep at the University of Minnesota and Minnesota State Colleges, and $144-million for water infrastructure. (Finance & Commerce)
MATERIALS SCIENCE & ENGINEERING
🪣 How Good Old Mud Can Lower Building Costs
MIT researchers have developed a method to use lightly treated mud, including soil from a building site, as the "formwork" molds into which concrete is poured. The technique deploys 3D printing and can replace the more costly method of building elaborate wood formworks for concrete construction. (MIT News - On Campus and Around The World)
BUILDING ADAPTATIONS
🔐 STI Advocates Future-Proofing Commercial Buildings
The Steel Tube Institute (STI) identified primary priorities for 2025 that reflect anticipated changes to the steel industries, including commercial building adaptations. STI anticipates the changes to the way older commercial buildings --- especially high-rises --- are used will necessitate changes to how those buildings are wired. These changes, coupled with growing pressure to demonstrate sustainability, make a strong case for the use of steel conduit in electrical raceways. (Modern Contractor Solutions)
ROBOTICS
🧗♂️ New Wall-Scaling Robots are Saving Construction Companies Time, Product & Personnel
Bottom line: Robots are cool. They can scale walls, protect people and predict the future of the built world by gathering information --- which is the real asset and sometimes harder to manufacture than the robots themselves. Today, any construction company investing in new hardware will tell you it is imperative to simultaneously invest in compatible software to operate and manage that hardware. (Construction Executive)
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North Wind and U of M Plan Aerospace Research Center | |
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Read more on Finance & Commerce
North Wind is teaming up with the University of Minnesota on a plan to build an aerospace research center in Rosemount, a project that supporters say will bring one of the top facilities of its kind to an existing polluted site in the UMore Park area.
The Planning Commission recommended approval of a rezoning request and a preliminary and final plat for the project, which will go before the City Council in February. The city expects to see a submittal for site plan review sometime this spring.
A preliminary site plan reveals multiple buildings with a combined 245,000-plus-square-feet of space, including an 80,500-square-foot Aero-Thermal Tunnel, a 60,000-square-foot U of M engineering facility, and a 46,500-square-foot Aerodynamic Tunnel Building. Also included are maintenance and storage facilities, a heating and cooling plant, and more.
The U of M's College of Science and Engineering will be responsible for the "modeling and simulation" piece at the complex, while North Wind will design, build, and operate the test facilities.
North Wind's vision for the UMore Park site is still early in the approval process. Before any development can occur on the property, the project will require a formal site plan review and other entitlements.
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ABOVE PHOTO: The North Wind headquarters at 358 Fillmore Avenue East in St. Paul. (Finance & Commerce staff photo by Brian Johnson) | |
Waterworks Remodel & Maintenance Project - Information Session for Contract | Presented by Ramsey County | |
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Ramsey County Public Works, along with Terra Construction, is excited to share with all their next large project, the Ramsey County Battle Creek Remodel & Maintenance Project.
AGENDA
- Overview of project
- Services needed from subcontractors
- Feedback from contractors - bid packages
- Networking & table discussion
- Tour of facility
View the event flyer here.
Come by and hear about the variety of services that will be needed in order to complete this project.
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Benefit of the Week: Verizon Business | |
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Your year of wins starts now, with these smart deals from American's most reliable 5G network. NPP Members save big on new devices, data plans, and more.
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Up to $1,000 Off
New and current customers get a free phone or up to $1,000 off with eligible trade-in & select Business Unlimited plan.
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Time For An Upgrade?
For a limited time, save with Verizon's newest device upgrade offers: $0 / month for an iPhone or Galaxy.
Tablet & Laptop Deals
Keep business moving with $100 off select laptops and tablets. Click through for models and details.
Save $200 on Laptop Data Plan
Save $200 when you activate a connected laptop on an eligible Verizon data plan.
Ask your Verizon rep about these deals and more today.
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National Purchasing Partners (NPP) is a trusted savings and solutions provider for businesses and their employees. By leveraging the purchasing power of more than 350,000 members, NPP can provide top discounts and special B2B pricing to businesses of all sizes. NPP members enjoy exclusive deals on a catalog of useful items for both work and play. Membership is free and there is never an obligation to purchase.
Plus, when you enroll via our special NPP sign-up page, MBEX receives a small royalty to further support our member services.
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PROJECT INFORMATION + UPDATES | |
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• Total Projects Received at MBEX from 1/27/2025 - 1/31/2025: 109
• Total Project Leads Reported on at MBEX from 1/27/2025 - 1/31/2025: 28
• Total Active Projects Received / Reported on at MBEX as of 2/4/2025: 448
• Total New Projects in the Online Plan Room as of 2/4/2025: 570
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Click the button above to view the most recent project data from 1/29/2025 - 2/4/2025.
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 Manager.
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UPCOMING MBEX EVENTS
• February 5 - Meet the Estimators
• February 10 - Bluebeam 4: Document Management & Best Practices
• February 11 - Bluebeam 5: Collecting Field Data
• February 11 - Regional Member Meetup: Rochester
• February 12 - Bluebeam 6: Administrative Professionals
• February 13 - Bluebeam 7: Civil Workflows
• February 18 - Regional Member Meetup: Duluth
• February 20 - Online Plan Room Demo
• February 25 - Regional Member Meetup: Fargo / Moorhead
• March 4 - Regional Member Meetup: St. Cloud
• April 16 - MBEX Spring Social
• May 7 - Young Professionals Network (YPN) Networking Event
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Connect with the Builders Exchange: | |
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Information within the MBEX Weekly Bulletin are obtained from sources deemed reliable. The Minnesota 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.
2025 BOARD OFFICERS: President - Heidi Sedlacek, KLJ Engineering; Vice President - Brian Kalla, St. Cloud Acoustics; Treasurer - Sean Ochis, Northern Industrial Insulation; Past President - Mike Carlson, Max Gray Construction
2025 DIRECTORS: Kevin Bohrer, Donlar Construction; Ben Bowman, Adolfson & Peterson; Allie Brady, Veit; David Brandt, Schadegg Mechanical; Amanda Eiynk, Grazzini Brothers & Company; Matt Lennartson, RJM Construction; Chris Niemand, Frattalone Companies; Jason Rentmeester, Kraus-Anderson Construction; and Nate Sapik, Benson Electric Company
MBEX STAFF: David Siegel - Executive Director; Julie Miller - Executive Assistant/Project Coordinator/Accounting; Ashlee Hartwig - Membership & Communications Manager; 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 for MBEX
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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