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MBEXers, it's been a heavy few days here in Minnesota. When the noise feels loud and the pace relentless, it helps to remember the strength of community. Let's keep showing up for one another and move forward together, one day at a time. Stay safe out there and take care of each other ❤️
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Five Quick Things To Know & Do This Week:
1.) So Your Membership Lapsed - Don't wait another minute. Call Julie at (612) 381-2627 to provide payment information over the phone. Prefer to send a check? Sure thing, but we still want to know payment is on the way, so we can temporarily reinstate your Plan Room access. (And don't forget to mail it to the correct address!)
2.) Call For Sponsorship! - A last minute transportation sponsorship opportunity has opened up for the Meet the Estimators event on February 4 to support the 200+ signed up attendees. This sponsorship provides attendees a ride to Gresser's warehouse (where the event is being held) from a designated remote parking location.
3.) Industry's Latest - Construction input prices rose again in the second half of 2025, though some materials fared better than others, according to Gordian. Rather than labor costs, the increase in input costs stems primarily from materials. Inputs such as copper and electrical components, key to data center construction, posted the sharpest gains.
4.) Bonds, Bonds, Bonds - You've perused the plans. You've perused the specs. And there's a dozen mentions of surety bonds. What exactly are they? Give this quick primer a read to understand the different types and the distinctions between them.
5.) When In Doubt, Roundabout - Meet Jack Circle and Paul Round, the architects who design roundabouts. They want drivers to stick around as long as they...want 🤫 🚗 ⚠️ 😂
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Inside Issue No. 4:
• Our Next Chapter: Sharing MBEX's new name and logo
• ICE Guidance: What to do if ICE or federal officers appear at your business
• Meet the Board: Presenting the 2026 MBEX Board of Directors
• Safety Plan: OSHA's higher expectations for planning, documentation & proactive hazard control
• Upcoming Events: Meet the Estimators (2/4); Bluebeam Revu courses (2/10-2/12 & 2/17- 2/20); and our next Online Plan Room Demo (2/19)
• Five Headlines: Data center opportunities for builders in 2026; Cybersecurity challenges facing AEC firms; 10 key legal changes & issues employers need to be on top of this year; Why construction workers are skipping screenings for personal health issues; and Can excessive outdoor lighting violate environmental laws?
• Project of the Week: Rogers' $40M police & city hall complex project selects construction manager at-risk
• Industry Event: Ramsey County's 5th Annual CERT Connect Open House - Thursday, February 12 - Ramsey County Public Works Facility (Arden Hills)
• Project Download: Updated project information for the week of January 21-27
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A New Name & Look for a Strong Future
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We're excited to share MBEX's next chapter, a milestone shaped by member feedback, staff participation, board leadership, and community insights.
Our new full name is now the Midwest Builders Exchange.
This is a refinement, not a reinvention. Same Online Plan Room, Same people-first service. Same commitment to relationships that help you win work.
MBEX remains our familiar shorthand, and this name update brings clearer alignment with whom we serve and how we deliver value across the Midwest.
What's new is clarity:
- A name that reflects our regional reach.
- A refreshed logo and visual identity.
- Messaging that highlights both plans and partnerships.
We've written a blog article that shares more about why we made this update and what it means for members.
| | | At the heart of it all is Exchange - the exchange of plans, knowledge, opportunity, and trust that moves projects forward and strengthens our industry. Welcome to the Midwest Builders Exchange! | | |
What to Do When Federal Immigration Officers Arrive
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When U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers appear at a workplace or business, it can be a stressful and uncertain experience for both employers and employees.
Amid a recent surge of federal immigration enforcement activity in Minnesota, including a large deployment of ICE and other federal agents to the Twin Cities that has drawn significant public attention and legal challenges, it has become vitally important for businesses to prepare a response protocol should agents arrive at your doorstep.
This article, courtesy of Bassford Remele, outlines practical steps businesses and workers can take before and after ICE arrives, focusing on preparation, awareness of rights and responsibilities, and strategies for maintaining professionalism and compliance, protecting your workers, and avoiding a legal dispute with the federal government.
Please note that the below is intended to provide only general, practical guidance on workplace response and compliance; it does not address individual immigration status, removal proceedings, or criminal matters, which require case-specific legal advice.
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Proactive Risk Mitigation
Having a response plan in place will aid your organization and its employees in responding when ICE or any other government agents show up at your business.
Designate a Point of Contact (POC)
- Identify a specific individual (and a backup) trained to greet and interact with government agents. This person should be calm, professional, and aware of the organization's legal rights.
Plan for Logistics
- Think through the layout of your specific workplace, identifying areas that are public, and ensuring that visitors in public areas cannot gain access to private areas.
- Identify a specific public or controllable private space (such as a lobby, conference room, etc.) where, absent a legal warrant, agents or officers will be asked to remain while the business responds to any demands.
Flexible Work Arrangements
- To maintain operational continuity and address employee concerns, consider offering temporary remote work options for roles where physical presence is not strictly required.
Employee Documentation
- Encourage employees who feel unsafe to carry legal documentation with them, including a driver's license or passport. They should, however, be very careful to ensure those documents are not lost or misplaced, and may consider keeping a digital copy of that documentation as well.
Internal Audit
- It is a good idea to internally audit the organization's Form I-9s and personnel files. Ensuring these are organized and compliant now reduces the risk that ICE will demand entry into your workplace and could prevent avoidable penalties later.
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Protocol While ICE is Present
If agents arrive at your organization, below are some practical steps for the organization:
Verify Authority
- Request the agent's credentials and any warrant they may have.
- Write down the information so you have it in case you need it later.
- If the agents do not have a warrant, they likely do not have any authority to enter non-public areas of your business. However, ICE agents may have the authority to ask questions regarding immigration status while in a public area.
Review the Warrant
Not all warrants are created equal.
- Judicial Search Warrant: signed by a judge; grants access to specific areas.
- Administrative Warrant: signed by an official from the government agency serving the warrant; generally does not grant the right to enter non-public areas without employer consent.
In both circumstances, the warrants must be filled out, signed, and dated. Otherwise, they are likely not valid.
Limit the Scope
- The POC should respectfully and politely insist that agents stick to the specific subject matter or locations outlined in the warrant.
Control the Environment
- Rather than allowing agents to roam the office, ask them to wait out front, in a lobby, or in a controlled conference room while you bring the specific files or individuals identified in the warrant to them.
- Remember that if you implicitly and unintentionally allow an agent to wander into a private space, they may contend that any personnel or evidence observed is a lawful search.
Document the Encounter
- After the encounter has ended and agents have left the premises, the POC and any other relevant personnel should document in writing what happened, whether any documents or individuals were seized, and any other pertinent information about the situation.
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Employee Messaging
Communication is key to maintaining morale and safety. Below are some important points to convey to the organization's employees.
Transparency: Acknowledge the current environment and reaffirm the organization's commitment to a safe and respectful workplace.
Informative: It is okay to remind employees of their rights (such as the right to remain silent or the right to speak with an attorney). It is also okay to remind employees of resources such as EAP and HR for counseling services or with non-legal requests.
Supportive: Provide clear instructions on whom employees should notify if they observe agents on-site.
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As immigration enforcement activity continues to affect workplaces across the state, preparation and clear procedures can help reduce confusion and ensure that interactions remain orderly and lawful.
Understanding who may speak with officers, what documentation may be required, and how to respond calmly can support both businesses and employees during these encounters.
| | | Please note that the above is intended for general informational purposes only. We strongly recommend consulting with an attorney or legal advisor before taking any actions based on its content. | | |
Meet the 2026 MBEX Board of Directors
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Last week at our Annual Meeting & Luncheon, we officially introduced the 2026 MBEX Board of Directors, and it's time to share the news with our full membership. This group of industry leaders brings a wide range of experience, perspectives, and passion for Minnesota's commercial construction community, and we're grateful for their willingness to step up and serve.
Our Board plays a critical role in guiding MBEX's direction and shaping programs and services that support members at every stage of their business. From navigating industry change to strengthening connections across the Exchange, the 2026 Board will be focused on keeping MBEX relevant, responsive, and valuable in a fast-moving industry.
We'd also like to extend a sincere thank you to our outgoing 2025 Board members for their time, insight, and commitment over the past year. Their contributions helped move MBEX forward in meaningful ways, and we're better for it.
Now, please join us in welcoming the 2026 Board of Directors and thanking those who've completed their terms; we're looking forward to another strong year ahead!
| | | An asterisk (*) behind a name indicates a newly elected or reelected Board member for 2026. | | |
Building an OSHA Action Plan in 2026
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OSHA is signaling one thing clearly as we close out the first month of 2026: contractors should prepare for higher expectations around planning, documentation, and proactive hazard control.
Even if the regulations themselves haven't changed, OSHA's enforcement priorities and rulemaking progress absolutely have. Owners and insurance carriers are aligning with these expectations, too, meaning contractors who modernize their programs now will avoid citations, reduce risks, and strengthen their competitive position when bidding throughout the year.
From high-energy hazard controls to updated heat illness programs and digital documentation, here's how to get ahead before enforcement tightens.
1.) OSHA is Zeroing In On High-Energy Hazards
OSHA is making it clear they’re coming after the hazards that cause the most serious injuries and fatalities, like struck-by incidents, caught-in / between situations, falls, electrical risks, and trenching / excavation work. Inspections aren’t going to be about checking boxes; they’re going to look for systems that actually identify and prevent these dangers before work begins.
2.) Update Your Written Safety Programs Now
Enforcement is tightening around things like heat illness prevention, expanded walk-around rights for inspectors, and broader electronic injury / illness reporting. OSHA expects written plans, especially for heat stress, shade / rest / hydration protocols, and other emerging hazard areas.
3.) OSHA Will Expect Proof (no excuses!)
Inspectors are likely to ask for proof of competency, not just training completion, but meaning dated, signed records and easily accessible logs showing who’s trained, when, and how. Subcontractor safety orientation and follow-up on corrective actions will need to be visible on paper, not just in your head.
4.) Work Zones and Mobile Equipment Will Get Extra Scrutiny
Expect OSHA to focus on visibility around equipment, blind-spot management, traffic control layout, proper inspections, and modern proximity controls where feasible. Simple updates like documented equipment inspections and high-visibility gear can make a big difference before inspectors show up.
5.) Build an OSHA Action Plan
This simple framework can help contractors stay ahead of changing expectations in the new year:
January - February
- Update heat illness, fall protection, trenching, and equipment programs.
- Audit injury logs before electronic submission deadlines.
- Create a plan for handling hazardous materials on construction sites.
March - June
- Conduct annual orientation and competency refreshers.
- Standardize pre-tasks plans.
- Roll out digital documentation processes.
- Train all workers on electrical safety hazards and solutions.
July - September
- Add hazard maps to active projects.
- Reinforce high-energy hazard identification in daily huddles.
- Reassess subcontractor safety alignment.
October - December
- Conduct a mock OSHA inspection.
- Review all training logs and retraining needs.
Staying ahead on these safety deadlines isn't just about compliance. It's about protecting your crews and strengthening your bidding position in 2026 and beyond. If you haven't started updating your safety documentation and training processes yet, now's the time.
| | | Instead of relying on compliance checklists alone, OSHA wants to see systems that identify high-energy hazards before work begins. | | | |
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 or updated event
February 4 - Meet the Estimators, Project Managers, +
In partnership with the Minnesota Construction Association (MCA) and Minnesota Subcontractors Association (MSA), we invite you to meet and engage with estimators and project managers from General and Prime Contractors, gain valuable insights into their bidding and procurement processes, and learn best practices for successfully doing business with them. More than a dozen GCs and more than a 100 industry pros are already registered. Register
February 10 - 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
February 11 - 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
February 12 - Bluebeam 3: Material Takeoffs & Estimates (Advanced)
Learn to create custom columns, embed formulas, organize information, and export or live-link Excel templates. Sign Up
February 17 - Bluebeam 4: Document Management & Best Practices
This streamlined course guides attendees through best practices for managing messy PDFs. Learn how to clean up page labels, reorder sheets, add hyperlinks, and automatically track revisions with speed and consistency. Sign Up
February 18 - Bluebeam 5: Collecting Field Data
This focused session for office and jobsite pros teaches attendees how to create custom punch symbols, embed field photos and videos, and build summary reports. From QA / QC to install tracking, this session delivers consistency and clarity across documentation workflows. Sign Up
February 19 - 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
February 19 - Bluebeam 6: For Administrative Professionals
This course, designed specifically for administrative professionals, focuses on document prep and control tasks often overlooked in traditional Bluebeam software training. Learn to combine PDFs, apply redactions, use digital signatures, and manage key admin workflows. Sign Up
February 20 - Bluebeam 7: For Civil Workflows
Learn to calibrate, plan, and profile sheets with differing X-Y scales, visualize cut / fill quantities, create combined maps from multiples PDFs, and streamline survey tracking. Sign Up
March 4 - Regional Member Meetup: Duluth
We're coming to a city near you in March 2026! In partnership with the Electrical Association, the Minnesota Concrete Council, and The Builders Group, we hope you'll join us for a casual get-together to network with fellow members and connect with these organizations. Register
March 11 - Regional Member Meetup: St. Cloud
We're coming to a city near you in March 2026! In partnership with the Electrical Association, the Minnesota Concrete Council, and The Builders Group, we hope you'll join us for a casual get-together to network with fellow members and connect with these organizations. Register
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Five construction-related headlines you need to read over the next coffee break.
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2026 OUTLOOK | DATA CENTERS
📊 Breaking Down the Data Center Opportunity for Builders in 2026
What exactly does the deluge of data center projects and the push for AI adoption mean for construction at the end of the day? Is this simply another building boom, where contractors will literally lay the foundation and walk away once those facilities are built? While some builders will leverage the boom into lucrative construction contracts to manage the work, other firms can get in on the infrastructure, the power plants, the roads, and a plethora of other tangential buildouts needed to support the work, according to industry experts. (Construction Dive)
CYBERSECURITY
🔒 Digital Progress, Digital Risk: Cybersecurity Challenges Facing Contractors
The tight timelines typically associated with construction projects make them prime targets for ransomware attacks, where even a day lost can cost thousands of dollars. The complexity of construction projects can add to their vulnerability. The multiple parties involved (including architects, contractors, subcontractors, and specialists) all require specific levels of data access and permission, and all personnel involved may require training in data hygiene and cybersecurity best practices. (Contractor Magazine)
LEGAL MATTERS
⚖️ 10 Legal Changes & Issues That Could Affect Employers in 2026
From changes on federal tax reporting for overtime and tips, to ever-shifting data-privacy protocols at the state level, and even metro-specific sick and family leave laws, it can be difficult for employers to stay current. Here are 10 key issues legal experts said employers need to be on top of in 2026. (Minneapolis - St. Paul Business Journal)
HEALTH & WELL-BEING | LABOR & WORKFORCE
🚑 Why Construction Workers Skip Health Screenings
According to new research from Bluebeam, in partnership with ZERO Prostate Cancer, 52% of construction workers feel pressed to "tough it out" rather than discuss or seek help for physical or mental health issues. Nearly half of those surveyed also believe they face more stigma around discussing health than those in other sectors, and a quarter also fear being judged by their coworkers for speaking openly about personal health concerns. This same survey also found that more than 65% of male construction workers have never been screened for prostate cancer, and 81% report delaying screenings. (For Construction Pros)
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTIONS | LIGHTING
🔦 Should Darkness Be a Legally Protected Natural Resource?
In Connecticut, a solo lawsuit is probing an unconventional question: can excessive outdoor lighting violate environmental law? Leo Smith filed suit in 2025 against the state's top judicial officials, where he's alleging that the Connecticut Judicial Branch is harming the environment. Not with chemicals or noise, but with too much light. Smith's filings are unusually technical for a pro se case, drawing directly from language familiar to lighting designers and facility managers, alleging the judicial branch's outdoor lighting violates several best practices and legal requirements. (Inside Lighting)
| | Rogers Nears Construction of $40M City Hall, Police Complex | | |
Read more on Finance & Commerce
The city of Rogers is rounding out its construction team for a long-planned police and city hall complex, a $40.5-million project that's expected to begin later this year and wrap up in 2027.
The Rogers City Council recently selected Terra Construction as construction manager at-risk for the new 67,700-square-foot building, which will rise on a property that includes the former Boyer Truck Center site at 21701 Industrial Boulevard.
A project narrative reveals that the new complex will include a two-level police department and a single-level city hall.
The police facility will feature a garage and "24-hour operation spaces," including a holding area, locker rooms, fitness room, offices, conference rooms, and a break room, among other spaces.
For its part, the city hall will include offices, conference / meeting rooms, a breakroom, council chambers, and election storage.
Additionally, the project plans to incorporate additional public amenities such as district-wide parking for the area, plaza space, and gateway signage.
Momentum for the Rogers project began to build in 2023, when the city purchased the former Boyer Truck Center site. The Boyer property anchors the project site, which is at the corner of Industrial Boulevard and Main Street.
Last May, the city selected Leo A Daly for architectural services. Next steps include detailed design work and getting a cost estimate from Terra, and construction bid packages will hit the streets in late May or early June.
| | ABOVE PHOTO: Rendering by Leo A Daly of the City of Rogers' new $40.5-million police and city hall complex with Terra Construction as construction manager at-risk. | |
5th Annual CERT Connect Open House
Presented by Ramsey County
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DATE: Thursday, February 12
TIME: 8:00am - 10:30am
LOCATION:
COST: No fee to attend.
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Join Ramsey County at the Ramsey County Public Works Building in Arden Hills for their 5th Annual CERT Open House, an opportunity for small businesses to have deliberate, worthwhile conversations with county staff and partners who are directly involved in construction.
Departments attending include Public Works, Central Fleet, Purchasing & Contracting, Parks & Recreation, Property Management, and Community & Economic Development. Event partners include Hennepin County, the City of Maplewood, the City of Roseville, the St. Paul Port Authority, the University of Minnesota, and more to come.
What to Bring:
- Contact Information (i.e., business cards)
- Company Information (i.e., capabilities statement, company overview, brochures)
Register at the link above (the blue 'Sign Up' button) or call (651) 266-7228 with questions.
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• Total Projects Received at MBEX from 1/19/2026 - 1/23/2026: 119
• Total Project Leads Reported on at MBEX from 1/19/2026 - 1/23/2026: 45
• Total Active Projects Received / Reported on at MBEX as of 1/27/2026: 515
• Total 2026 Projects posted to the Online Plan Room as of 1/27/2026: 533
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Click the button above to view the most recent project data from 1/21/2026 - 1/27/2026.
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 Manager.
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UPCOMING MBEX EVENTS
• February 4 - Meet the Estimators
• February 10 - Bluebeam 1: Baseline Basics
• February 11 - Bluebeam 2: Material Takeoffs & Estimates (Basic)
• February 12 - Bluebeam 3: Material Takeoffs & Estimates (Advanced)
• February 17 - Bluebeam 4: Document Management & Best Practices
• February 18 - Bluebeam 5: Collecting Field Data Using Bluebeam Revu
• February 19 - Online Plan Room Demo
• February 19 - Bluebeam 6: For Administrative Professionals
• February 20 - Bluebeam 7: For Civil Workflows
• March 4 - Regional Member Meetup: Duluth
• March 11- Regional Member Meetup: St. Cloud
• March 19 - Online Plan Room Demo
• April 15 - Spring Social
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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.
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
2025 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, Marsh McLennan Agency.
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
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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