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We’re all about building better, MBEXers — and so are the bees. 🐝 May 20 is World Bee Day, and while they might be tiny, bees are some of nature’s OG builders. They work as a crew, stick to a plan, and play a huge role in keeping ecosystems running smoothly. Sounds kinda familiar, right? As the push for greener, more sustainable construction grows, let’s take a note from the buzzing hive: build smart, work together, leave things better than we found them, and always listen to the queen (bee) 😉.
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By Ashlee
Membership & Communications Manager
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Five Quick Things To Know / Do This Week:
1.) Out of Office - MBEX will be closed on Monday, May 26 in observance of Memorial Day. We'll be back to regular office hours on Tuesday, May 27. Kick back and enjoy the long weekend; you've earned it.
2.) Scholarship Reminder - The deadline of May 31, 2025 for MBEX / TBG Construction Scholarship applications is a mere 11 days away. Keep spreading the word or give applicants a solid nudge to get them submitted before its too late.
3.) Survey Says - Remember that construction survey we asked you to complete over the past few weeks? Tune in on May 28th for a 30-minute webinar with Erick Garcia Luna of the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis to see the results and what they show.
4.) Construction's Hottest Sector - Plans for data centers continued to fly off drafting tables in April, while owners in other market segments mostly sat still, according to Dodge Construction Network.
5.) Have a Laugh - Another successful delivery...to the wrong address.
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Inside This Issue:
• Get Tee'd Up: Plenty of opportunity to be a part of June 17th's action
• Legislative: Where the Minnesota House and Senate stand post-May 19th
• New Members: See who joined MBEX throughout the month of April
• Backlog: Both construction backlog and profit margins increased last month
• MBEX Events: Closed for Memorial Day, webinar with Minneapolis Fed, Member BBQ
• Five Headlines: Project delays and abandonments drive project stress higher, 2025 commercial HVAC trends, three common causes of electrocution on jobsites, flying construction robots face first real-world tests, & NASA tries out 3D printing with artificial moon soil
• Project of the Week: Ecolab plans major expansion of R&D campus in Eagan
• Industry Event: Regional Economic Conditions: Construction (webinar) - May 28
• Member Benefit: Kwik Trip's Fuel Discount program
| | Tee'd Up Without a Team? You Can Still Get in the Game. | | Our June 17th Twin Cities Golf Tournament is officially sold out for teams --- but there's still plenty of opportunity to be part of the action! | | |
Sponsorship opportunities are still available, and they're a fantastic way to get your company in front of a large, targeted audience of commercial construction professionals, even if you're not swinging a club that day.
Here's why it's still worth jumping in as a sponsor:
• Brand Visibility in front of decision-makers and industry peers.
• On-Site Recognition and signage to keep your company top-of-mind.
• Support a Premiere MBEX Event and show your industry engagement.
Whether you sponsor a hole, the driving range, lunch or dinner, or door prizes, your company's presence will be felt throughout the course --- and beyond!
📅 DATE: Tuesday, June 17
🕚 SCHEDULE: 11:00am - Lunch | 12:30pm - Shotgun Start | 5:15pm - Social Hour | 6:00pm - Dinner & Short Program
📍 LOCATION: Oak Glen Golf Course (1599 McKusick Road North, Stillwater, Minn., 55082)
🤝 SPONSORSHIPS: Range from $200 - $1,500
🍴 LUNCH: $25 per person
🛎️ DINNER: $35 per person
BONUS: Members are also welcome to join us at the event for lunch and/or dinner (but again, no golf).
| | LEGISLATURE 2025: Where We Stand Post-Adjournment | | |
As things headed into the final stretch of the legislative session, one thing was clear: things wouldn't be finishing on time. A special session would be needed to complete the work left before the May 19th deadline.
Governor Walz is expected to call a special session for lawmakers to conclude work on a two-year budget agreement announced by the governor and legislative leaders last week.
Bills that Cleared Both Houses Over the Weekend
Public Safety Bill
This bill includes funding for law enforcement agencies across the state, revised penalties for certain offenses, and creates a new felony offense for adults who expose a child to fentanyl.
The bill also narrowly passed the Minnesota Senate without bipartisan support as Republicans voiced concern over the surprise announcement to close the Minnesota Correctional Facility in Stillwater by 2029.
Tougher DWI Penalties
Lawmakers in both houses overwhelmingly approved reforms to the state's DWI laws, including increasing the length of time that repeat offenders must use ignition interlock devices to start their cars. The proposal was made in response to the deadly Park Tavern crash in St. Louis Park last fall, in which a man with five previous DWI convictions drove his vehicle into a crowded patio area, killing two people and injuring several more.
Funding Stripped from Northern Lights Express
The Minnesota House and Senate voted to strip $77-million in funding from the Northern Lights Express, a proposed passenger rail service between the Twin Cities and Duluth. Money will be redirected to fund unemployment insurance for seasonal workers in education.
While more than $100-million remains from funding passed in 2023, opponents say the project is effectively dead.
Agriculture Budget Approved
The wide-ranging bill received bipartisan support, including funding for the state's avian influenza response and mental health support for the state's farmers. The bill creates a new Local Food Purchase Assistance (LFPA) program to purchase food from Minnesota farmers for hunger relief organizations; the bill also includes new funding for the state's Farm to School program to allow school districts to purchase more food from Minnesota farmers. Read More on Kare 11
The Legislature's To-Do List
Still left unfinished are agreements that would set budgets for the next two biennia in the areas of commerce, education, energy, environment and natural resources, health, higher education, human services, labor and workforce development, and transportation.
And then there's the tax bill, which would determine the how and how much of collecting revenue to fund all state programs. Neither the House nor the Senate had an omnibus tax bill voted upon by the time the two chambers adjourned Monday, although the House bill did make it to the floor last week before being tabled.
In an early stage of its legislative life is a bill for capital investment --- known as a bonding bill --- which would ascertain what infrastructure projects would be funded by state borrowing in the 2026-27 biennium. Read More on Minnesota House of Representatives
Now What?
The Legislature only passed nine budget and policy bills out of some 20 in process, and now they will need a special session to do the rest.
Lawmakers are working to pass a $66-billion to $67-billion two-year budget that will fund everything from schools to parks to health care and services for people with disabilities. The state is grappling with a structural deficit that's arisen from the rapidly increasing costs of special education and caring for an aging population. Given a struggle to agree to any new tax revenue, lawmakers are looking to trim spending.
In between now and the special legislative session --- date yet to be announced, though ideally before Memorial Day, they say --- lawmakers will hammer out the bills in "working groups." Because the lawmakers won't be in session, these will be unofficial meetings that include House and Senate members of both parties. Legislative leaders have given the working groups until 5:00pm on Wednesday (May 21) to finalize their budget bills, after which Governor Walz will likely call a special session, which leaders and Walz say should last just a single day.
If there is no budget set by June 1st, the state will be obligated to start sending layoff notices to state employees, and leaders want to avoid that. The legislature has to have a two-year budget in place by June 30th or risk a state government shutdown. Read More on Minnesota Reformer
| | NEW MEMBERS: See Who Joined in April | | |
It's time to give a shout-out to our newest member companies who joined the Exchange throughout the month of April .
Give a warm welcome to the following:
| | Contractors' Backlog & Profit Margin Expectations Improve | | |
Associated Builders and Contractors reported on May 14, 2025, that its Construction Backlog Indicator rose to a 20-month high of 8.7-months in April, according to an ABC member survey conducted April 22-May 6, 2025.
The reading is up 0.3-months since April 2024.
Backlog has increased significantly over the past year for contractors with greater than $100-million in annual revenues. While backlog has also risen modestly for the smallest contractors, it is down on an annual basis for those with $30-million to $100-million in annual revenues.
Construction Backlog Indicator - Industry
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Construction Backlog Indicator - Region
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Construction Backlog Indicator - Company Size
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View the full Construction Backlog Indicator and Construction Confidence Index data series here.
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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
May 26 - Memorial Day
MBEX will be closed in observance of the Memorial Day holiday.
** May 28 - Regional Economic Conditions: Construction
Twice a year, regional economists at the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis survey construction companies to gauge the sector's performance and overall outlook. Are current and backlogged projects up or down? Are labor and other input costs on the rise? What do contacts expect in the months ahead? Join Regional Outreach Director Erick Garcia Luna as he hosts a webinar to discuss these and other results from the spring survey of construction companies across the Ninth District. Sign Up Here
June 4 - Member Appreciation BBQ
Join MBEX for a casual afternoon of Famous Dave's barbecue, cold beverages, a handful of door prizes, and great company and networking. Register Here
June 17 - Twin Cities Golf Tournament - **Teams are SOLD OUT**
While playing 18-holes of golf may not be in the day's plans, there are still awesome sponsorship opportunities available, such as hole sponsorships, dinner sponsorships, and others. Register for Lunch / Dinner | View Available Sponsorships
June 19 - 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 Here
July 4 - 4th of July
MBEX will be closed in observance of the 4th of July holiday.
July 23 - Lake Superior Harbor Cruise
Join MBEX for an evening sailing on Lake Superior, and see the Duluth-Superior Harbor, Lift Bridge, canal, and city as you may not have before. Space is limited to the first 150 people who register. Register Here
** August 14 - Sporting Clays Scholarship Fundraiser
Aim, shoot and pull to raise funds for the MBEX Construction Scholarship at this great annual MBEX outdoor event at Game Unlimited. Shooter packages include a 100-clay shoot, post-shoot social, dinner, awards, and door prizes. Teams can have a maximum of six shooters. Register Here
August 20 - Golf North
Come socialize and network on the greens of Duluth's Ridgeview Country Club for what we FORE-see as a great event. Golf packages include lunch, 18 holes of golf, golf carts, post-golf social, dinner, and short awards program. Register Here
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Five construction-related headlines you need to read over the next coffee break.
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ECONOMIC REPORTS
😰 Private Delays, Abandonments Drive Project Stress Higher
Project stress rose again in April with the private sector nearing a multi-year high in abandonments, according to the latest data from ConstructConnect. The Project Stress Index climbed 1.5% in April. The jump marks a 16% increase over 2021 baseline levels. The April increase largely stemmed from a 4.6% rise in delayed bid activity and a 1.5% uptick in abandonments. Meanwhile, on-hold activity dipped 2%, offering only modest relief. (Construction Dive)
COMMERCIAL HVAC
🧰 2025 Commercial HVAC Trends & the Future of HVAC Innovation
The commercial HVAC landscape is undergoing significant changes in how heating, cooling, and refrigeration systems are designed, installed, and maintained. As the sector adapts to evolving regulations, environmental goals, and new building requirements, HVAC systems are becoming increasingly energy-efficient and responsive to occupant needs. The key trends that follow provide a snapshot of how those shifts are reshaping the future of commercial spaces in 2025. (Contracting Business)
JOBSITE SAFETY
⚡ 3 Common Causes of Electrocution on Construction Sites & How to Avoid Them
Contact with electricity is one of the leading causes of fatalities in the workplace. The hard truth is that many of these incidents are avoidable with the right preplanning, training and attention to safety protocols. For example, having a dedicated spotter when operating heavy equipment near hazards is crucial. Spotters act as an extra set of eyes but are often overlooked or underutilized when companies are focused on meeting tight deadlines or working with labor constraints. (Construction Executive)
DRONES
🥏 Flying Construction Robots Face First Real-World Tests
Flying construction robots are undergoing their first tests outside of the laboratory at the DroneHub, based in Switzerland at the Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials, Science and Technology. The research is focused on the use of drones for mid-air material deposition, a process known as Aerial Additive Manufacturing (Aerial AM). Early-stage demonstrations of Ariel AM have showcased capabilities such as rapid on-demand repairs and modular assembly techniques. (Building Design + Construction)
3D PRINTING
🏗️ NASA Tests 3D Printing With Artificial Moon Soil for Lunar Construction
Led by NASA's Moon to Mars Planetary Autonomous Construction Technology (MMPACT) program, the effort focuses on using regolith, the granular surface material found on planetary bodies, as the primary construction aggregate for building infrastructure on the Moon and Mars. Ongoing trials involve melting regolith with high-powered lasers or binding agents to fabricate radiation shielding, roads, and landing pads. (Connected World)
| | Ecolab Plans Major Expansion of Eagan R&D Campus | | |
Read more on Finance & Commerce
Ecolab, a science and technology company based in St. Paul, is planning a renovation and expansion of the company's campus in Eagan, a project that could be under construction later this year.
City of Eagan documents reveal that Ecolab is proposing to "renovate existing facilities, expand research and development lab facilities, construct a new customer experience center, and purchase equipment" at the company's Schuman campus. The research and development campus is at 655 Lone Oak Drive.
If the project moves forward, the city said in a May 20th staff report, construction could begin in late 2025.
A representative from Ecolab confirmed the company is "exploring potential upgrades to some of the customer experience and R&D facilities at the campus."
The city anticipates that Ecolab could submit an application for land use approvals "in the coming months."
| | PICTURED ABOVE: Ecolab's research and development facility located at 655 Lone Oak Drive in Eagan, Minn. Photo taken by Finance & Commerce's Brian Johnson. | | |
Regional Economic Conditions: Construction
Presented by Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis
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DATE: Wednesday, May 28
TIME: 9:00am - 9:30am CST
LOCATION: Virtual Event
COST: Free
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Join Regional Outreach Director Erick Garcia Luna as he hosts a webinar to discuss these and other results from the spring survey of construction companies across the Ninth District.
- 9:00am - 9:05am - Welcome by Haley Chinander
- 9:05am-9:20am - Presentation by Erick Garcia Luna
- 9:20am-9:30am - Q & A
- 9:30am - Webinar concludes
Twice a year, regional economists at the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis survey construction companies to gauge the sector’s performance and overall outlook. Are current and backlogged projects up or down? Are labor and other input costs on the rise? What do contacts expect in the months ahead?
| | Benefit of the Week: Kwik Trip Fuel Discount | | Kwik Trip's Commercial & Fleet Cards are specifically designed to deliver big discounts to you and your business. Earn rebates and manage fuel costs down to every gallon purchased. | | |
In addition to savings, Kwik Trip's Fuel Discount programs offer access to easy-to-use expense tracking and detailed reporting to help get the most out of every mile, at no extra cost to you.
No matter the size of your business, one van or a fleet of trucks, there's a fuel management program ready to help you take control at the pump.
Exclusively for MBEX Members, Kwik Trip's Fuel Discount program includes:
• 7-cents off per gallon of gasoline and diesel at over 750 Kwik Trip and Kwik Star locations;
• 10% off most in-store products, including car washes and auto supplies;
• Access to Kwik Trip programs, such as Data Tracker, Extended Fleet, and their Business Plus Mastercard;
• Ability to track transactions;
• Customizable card security and restrictions;
• Detailed expense reporting;
• Easy online account management; and
• Much more!
Ready to get started? Contact Noah Skifton with questions or to apply (do not apply online): (608) 351-7168 or nskifton@kwiktrip.com.
| | PROJECT INFORMATION + UPDATES | | |
• Total Projects Received at MBEX from 5/12/2025 - 5/16/2025: 88
• Total Project Leads Reported on at MBEX from 5/12/2025 - 5/16/2025: 22
• Total Active Projects Received / Reported on at MBEX as of 5/20/2025: 371
• Total New Projects in the Online Plan Room as of 5/20/2025: 2,487
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Click the button above to view the most recent project data from 5/14/2025-5/20/2025.
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
• May 26 - Memorial Day - MBEX Closed
• May 28 - Regional Economic Conditions: Construction
• June 4 - Member Appreciation BBQ
• June 17 - Twin Cities Golf Tournament - Teams Sold Out | Sponsorships Available
• June 19 - Online Plan Room Demo
• July 4 - 4th of July - MBEX Closed
• July 17 - Online Plan Room Demo
• July 23 - Lake Superior Harbor Cruise
• August 14 - Sporting Clays Fundraiser
• August 20 - Golf North
• September 10 - Sporting Clays North
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Connect with the Builders Exchange: | | |
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; 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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