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A study of more than 70,000 adults found that the most optimistic people tend to live longer, and it could be a key ingredient to becoming a super-ager. Optimism, per the Oxford dictionary, is defined as "hopefulness and confidence about the future or the successful outcome of something" (especially if it's uber important).
At MBEX, we’re fired up and, well, optimistic for the year ahead 😁. We’ll be sharing our new name and logo at the upcoming Annual Meeting & Luncheon on January 21 (more details below), and I hope you'll join us for the big reveal. We’re experimenting with AI and how it might enhance the projects found inside the Plan Room, and we’re also diving deeper into pre-bid work, creating an even more valuable membership. I'm hoping, too, that you'll approach 2026 with enthusiasm and (you guessed it) optimism. Let’s make 2026 the year you connect to projects and the partners who help build them.
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Five Quick Things To Know & Do This Week:
1.) Still Time to Renew! - Did December 31 sneak by, and you missed getting your 2026 membership renewal payment in? We mean it when we say you're not alone! There's still time to renew your membership. Please call Julie at (612) 381-2627 to provide payment information over the phone, or if you prefer to send a check, still let us know so we can temporarily reinstate your Plan Room access.
2.) Monthly Demos Return - We're continuing our Online Plan Room Demos on the third Thursday of each month, and the first of 2026 will be held next Thursday (January 15). Whether a newly joined member or a long-time user, come learn the basics and maybe learn a new trick or two.
3.) Pop the Champagne - After 38 years of dedicated service in the construction materials industry, Marthe Brock (also a past Board member when we were then known as the Minneapolis Builders Exchange) is retiring! Join the celebration on January 8 at Cowboy Jacks to thank her for her hard work and dedication and to wish her well.
4.) High Performers in 2026 - Large data center developments, airport construction, and ongoing building activity at mixed-use development sites across the Twin Cities, plus the Blatnik Bridge replacement, are among the projects to watch in the coming year, per Associated General Contractors of Minnesota.
5.) Have a Giggle - New Year, New Me? Yeah...right 😎 ➡️ 🤬
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Inside Issue No. 1:
• This Month's Events: Reading Construction Documents with UChapter2, the next Online Plan Room Demo & the Annual Meeting & Luncheon
• Employment Law: Is your company prepared for Minnesota's new PFML program and updated meal and break laws?
• In Review: See our work from the month of December 2025
• Looking Back: A quick recap of 2025's hottest construction topics
• Project Notice: ECI seeks certified DBE, MCUB, and Targeted Group Business (TGB) subcontractors & suppliers
• Five Headlines: Navigating uncertainty and opportunity in the new year; Taking advantage of tax benefits now available through the OBBBA; Five ways contractors lose money with prefabrication and how to fix them; How scientists are turning recycled cardboard into concrete-like material; and 37% of surveyed Gen Z college grads want blue-collar jobs
• Project of the Week: U of M seeks design team for St. Paul Campus Center project
• Industry Event: Construction Seminar - Electrical Hazard Awareness & Safety - January 20 - Presented by Minnesota's Department of Labor & Industry and MNOSHA
• Project Information Download: Updated project information for the weeks of December 24-30 and December 31-January 6
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New Year, New Upcoming Events
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MBEX is ready to hit the ground running with opportunities to connect, learn, and start 2026 strong.
January's event lineup is all about setting the tone for the year ahead, with member-focused events meant to inform and engage. From gaining new skills in reading construction plans to being among the first to see the unveiling of MBEX's new name and logo at the Annual Meeting & Luncheon, this is a member's chance to start the year in the know and in the best of company.
Whether to reconnect after the holidays or simply get back into the swing of things with fellow members, January is the perfect time to plug back in.
Scroll down for event details and to register early; it's never too soon to invest in a strong start to the year.
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Dates: Wednesday, January 14 & Thursday, January 15
Time: 1:00pm - 4:00pm CST (both dates)
Location: Virtual Event
Cost: MBEX Members - $362 | Non-members - $506
REGISTERATION DEADLINE:
Tuesday, January 13 by 12:00pm
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From navigating title block information to combing through specification documents, participants will learn how to navigate a project and understand the material and construction requirements. Learning objectives include an introduction to construction documents, understanding industry document standards, drawing navigation, and the importance of specialty plans.
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Date: Thursday, January 15
Time: 9:00am - 10:00am
Location: Virtual Event via Zoom
Cost: Free!
REGISTRATION DEADLINE:
Wednesday, January 14 @ 2:30pm
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From navigating the Deskpad to setting up project search filters, to locating project information, to adding one's company to bidders' lists, this one-hour session is a great introduction to our Online Plan Room. Time is reserved at the end of the presentation for questions and answers.
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Date: Wednesday, January 21
Time:
• 11:00am - Registration & Networking
• 11:30am - Lunch
• 11:45an - Program
Location: Golden Valley County Club (7001 Golden Valley Road, Golden Valley, Minn., 55427)
Cost: $50 per person | $275 table of six
Sponsorships: Available in amounts ranging from $100 - $500
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This year’s Annual Meeting & Luncheon comes with something extra special: we’ll be unveiling MBEX’s new name and logo!
We’ll also recognize our Volunteer of the Year and Distinguished Member award recipients, thank the outgoing 2025 Board of Directors, and welcome the incoming 2026 Board.
This annual gathering to kick off the new year is an easy, valuable way to stay connected to the Exchange, your peers, and the broader construction community.
REGISTRATION DEADLINE: Wednesday, January 14 @ 3:00pm
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Minnesota Employment Law Changes: Is Your Business Ready?
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If you blinked, January 1 came and went, and with it, some meaningful changes to Minnesota employment law officially went live. Hopefully these weren’t a surprise… but if they were, you’re definitely not alone.
As we were digging into what’s new (because that’s what we do), we came across a helpful breakdown from DeWitt Law Firm that we wanted to pass along as a resource. Two updates in particular deserve your attention right now: Minnesota’s new Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) program and expanded meal and rest break requirements.
PFML is now a real thing, not a “someday” policy. It’s a state-run, mandatory paid leave program for most Minnesota employers, and it comes with new payroll premiums, reporting requirements, employee notices, and job protection rules. Translation: HR teams and payroll systems are officially in the hot seat. If prep was delayed (no judgment!), now’s the time to tighten things up to avoid administrative headaches or compliance gaps.
At the same time, Minnesota’s meal and rest break laws got a glow-up, one that strongly favors employees. The updated meal break rule now requires a minimum 30-minute meal break for anyone working six or more consecutive hours (down from eight). And the revised rest break rule requires a 15-minute rest break --- or enough time to use the nearest restroom, whichever is longer --- every four hours. These aren’t suggestions anymore; they’re clearly defined expectations.
Why does this matter? Because even unintentional slip-ups can now trigger automatic wage penalties and liquidated damages. Scheduling, timekeeping, and supervisor training just became a whole lot more important.
If you want a deeper dive, we recommend checking out the DeWitt Law Firm resource we found while researching these changes. It’s a solid, no-fluff overview that can help you make sure your policies (and practices) are lined up now that the calendar has officially turned.
As always, MBEX is here to help you stay informed, so you can focus on building, not backtracking.
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At the start of each month, we look back at MBEX's past 30-some days to review project progress, Online Plan Room stats, and membership achievements.
Numbers reflected below share data from the date range of December 1 - 31, 2025.
| | Total # of Projects Added (December 2025) | | Total # of Projects Added (December 2024) | | Total # of Projects YTD (Jan. 1 - Dec. 31) | | New Member Companies Joined | | | | |
No. of Members & Non-Members
Added to Bidders Lists
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10 Most Viewed Projects (December 1 - 31, 2025)
** indicates the project is still actively bidding
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(1.) Roosevelt High School -
CTE Center - Minneapolis
Public Schools
• Total Visitors: 7,575
• Total Unique Visitors: 460
• Bid Date: December 16, 2025
• Project Location: Minneapolis, Minn.
• Project Category: Educational
• Project Type: New Construction
• Project ID: 2025-10C4
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(2.) Park Grove Library
• Total Visitors: 7,042
• Total Unique Visitors: 468
• Bid Date: December 23, 2025
• Project Location: Cottage Grove, Minn.
• Project Category: Library
• Project Type: Remodeling
• Project ID: 2025-1210
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(3.) Park Center Senior High School - Renovation - Osseo Area Schools - ISD 279
• Total Visitors: 6,860
• Total Unique Visitors: 446
• Bid Date: December 22, 2025
• Project Location: Maple Grove, Minn.
• Project Category: Educational
• Project Type: Remodeling
• Project ID: 2025-0CB9
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(4.) Crest View Community
School - ISD 279
• Total Visitors: 6,141
• Total Unique Visitors: 421
• Bid Date: January 8, 2026
• Project Location: Brooklyn Park, Minn.
• Project Category: Educational
• Project Type: New Construction
• Project ID: 2025-12C6 **
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(5.) Pequot Lakes Middle School
/ High School - Additions & Alterations
• Total Visitors: 5,735
• Total Unique Visitors: 401
• Bid Date: December 16, 2025
• Project Location: Pequot Lakes, Minn.
• Project Category: Educational
• Project Type: Addition
• Project ID: 2025-11E4
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(6.) Grey Cloud Elementary School - Addition & Renovations - South
Washington County Schools
• Total Visitors: 5,603
• Total Unique Visitors: 403
• Bid Date: December 18, 2025
• Project Location: Cottage Grove, Minn.
• Project Category: Educational
• Project Type: Addition
• Project ID: 2025-11E2
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(7.) Lac Qui Parle County -
New Highway Operations Center
• Total Visitors: 5,412
• Total Unique Visitors: 354
• Bid Date: December 4, 2025
• Project Location: Madison, Minn.
• Project Category: Local Government
• Project Type: New Construction
• Project ID: 2025-10E5
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(8.) Cowern Elementary School -
Additions & Renovations - North
St. Paul / Maplewood / Oakdale -
ISD 622
• Total Visitors: 5,400
• Total Unique Visitors: 427
• Bid Date: January 15, 2026
• Project Location: North St. Paul, Minn.
• Project Category: Educational
• Project Type: Addition / Remodeling
• Project ID: 2025-0CB7
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(9.) Bailey Elementary School
Addition & Renovations - South
Washington County Schools
• Total Visitors: 5,251
• Total Unique Visitors: 414
• Bid Date: January 6, 2026
• Project Location: Woodbury, Minn.
• Project Category: Educational
• Project Type: Addition
• Project ID: 2025-1282
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(10.) Building E - Renovation -
MCF Lino Lakes
• Total Visitors: 4,689
• Total Unique Visitors: 416
• Bid Date: January 9, 2026
• Project Location: Lino Lakes, Minn.
• Project Category: Local Government
• Project Type: Remodeling / Renovation
• Project ID: 2025-11D1 **
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What Happened in Construction in 2025
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If 2025 felt a little whiplash-y, you’re not imagining it. The construction industry spent much of the year pivoting on a dime as policy shifts and new technology kept changing the rules mid-game.
Here's a quick recap of a handful of hot construction topics throughout the past year and how they affected the industry.
TARIFFS
Tariffs came out swinging at the start of the year, especially for anyone locked into fixed-price work. Higher material costs, insurance headaches, and some international retaliation made budgeting feel more like guesswork. By May, nerves had mostly settled, with many contractors reporting less concern, even if a few owners hit pause until things stabilized.
PROJECT LABOR AGREEMENTS
PLAs were on-again, off-again, and back on again; sometimes all in the same month. Federal mandates ran into lawsuits, agencies reversed course, and courts stepped in to remind everyone that blanket rules don’t really fly. Meanwhile, states and cities kept moving forward with their own versions, some with guardrails and others with gusto. The result? PLAs aren’t going away, but expect more case-by-case decision making and fewer one-size-fits-all approaches.
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI)
2025 was the year AI stopped being a buzzword and started showing up on job sites in real ways. Contractors moved from “let’s test this” to “okay, this actually helps,” using AI for progress tracking, documentation, and workflow cleanup. Nearly half of firms plan to increase AI investment, and the big software players wasted no time rolling out tools that actually work in the field. It’s not perfect, but it’s officially part of the toolbox.
DATA CENTERS
If one market clearly stole the spotlight in 2025, it was data centers. Fueled by the AI boom, demand has skyrocketed, reshaping contractor strategies and driving record levels of work. The opportunity is massive --- but so are the challenges, from power availability and equipment shortages to community pushback and tight labor. Data centers aren’t slowing down, but they’re testing the industry’s capacity on every front.
I.C.E ENFORCEMENT
Heightened ICE enforcement put labor compliance front and center, fast. Audits increased, workforces thinned, and projects slowed as contractors scrambled to verify status or find replacements. Nearly a third of firms reported being affected, and visa options didn’t exactly get easier (or cheaper). Labor was already tight; this just made it tighter.
DEREGULATION
On the flip side, deregulation was one area where many contractors welcomed the change. Federal procurement sped up, compliance requirements loosened, and environmental oversight scaled back, cutting costs, but also introducing new uncertainty. Big cities adjusted more easily, while rural areas struggled to fill the gaps, especially around emerging environmental issues like PFAS. Less red tape, yes, but not without tradeoffs.
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PROJECT:
Metropolitan Council 1-MN-310 Interceptor Siphon Rehabilitation Project (No. 809203, Contract 24P236A)
BID DEADLINE:
January 20 @ 2:00pm
BID SUBMISSIONS:
Quotes requested by January 19, 2026,
or earlier if possible.
SEND QUOTES TO:
Chris Kester, Chief Estimator
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The project includes siphon structure rehabilitation, dual 36" CIPP lining, temporary wastewater conveyance, sitework, storm sewer modifications, traffic control, paving, landscaping, erosion control, and restoration as defined in the project documents.
Opportunities for subcontracting and supply include (but are not limited to):
- Traffic Control
- Excavation, Backfill, & Aggregate Supply
- Dewatering / Conveyance
- Construction Staking
- Pavement Sweeping
- Pavement Marking
- Curb & Gutter
- Sewer Cleaning, CCTV & CIPP support
- Concrete, Polymer Concrete, & Structural Rehabilitation
- Storm Sewer Pipe & Drainage Structures
- Erosion & Sediment Control
- Landscaping, Turf Establishment & Restoration
- Bituminous Pavement Milling & Paving
- Fencing & Temporary Barriers
- Trucking & Hauling
- Surveying & Project Documentation
- Material Supply (pipe, castings, erosion materials, aggregate, etc.)
- Portable Facilities (restrooms, handwash stations, etc.)
- Snow Removal Services
- Field Office & Administrative Support Facilities
PLEASE NOTE: All quotes will require a signed letter of intent to be submitted with the prime bid.
Project plans and specs can be found inside the Online Plan Room:
- Project Name: 1-MN-310 Interceptor Siphon Rehabilitation - Metropolitan Council
- Project ID: 2025-11FC
- Project Category: Local Government
- Project Type: Rehabilitation
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Five construction-related headlines you need to read over the next coffee break.
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FORECAST 2026
🗺️ Navigating Uncertainty & Opportunity in 2026
As America begins a new year, it seems appropriate to outline some noteworthy changes, challenges, and opportunities that will be especially impactful in 2026. The challenges and opportunities will touch both private sector firms and government officials. A few of the changes that currently appear to be most impactful include artificial intelligence (AI), regulatory realignment, energy transition, government contracting, political issues, emergency management, and workforce disruption. (Government Market News)
BUSINESS MATTERS | TAX PLANNING
🧾 Supercharge Post-OBBBA Year-End Tax Planning
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) made several provisions of 2017's Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) permanent and introduced new provisions with potential advantages for the construction industry. To make the most of the tax benefits now available under OBBBA, take a fresh look at your tax strategies. Start to unlock savings by paying particular attention to the language in your contracts. (Construction Business Owner)
PREFABRICATION
🏗️ Prefab Pitfalls: 5 Ways Contractors Lose Money & How to Fix Them
Prefabrication has become the industry's favorite buzzword. The uncomfortable truth is that prefab can also cost you money. Prefab exposes every weakness in your planning, your coordination, your logistics, and your leadership. If you treat your prefab shop like a warehouse version of the jobsite, the results will look exactly like building onsite, but with the added costs of additional BIM, more planning and logistics, shipping, transportation, and communication. Many contractors lose more money indoors instead of outdoors. In this article, the most common ways contractors turn prefabrication into a profit drain are discussed, and how to avoid them. (For Construction Pros)
CONCRETE | INNOVATIVE BUILDING SOLUTIONS
🧑🔬 Scientists Found a Way to Turn Recycled Cardboard into Concrete-Like Material
Researchers at RMIT University in Australia describe their material as cardboard-confined rammed earth. The idea is pretty straightforward. They roll thick tubes out of cardboard, fill them with a mix of soil and water, and press that mix down until it becomes a solid core. The cardboard holds everything in place while it firms up, which gives the finished piece enough strength for smaller structures. Rammed earth has been used for a long time, but many modern builders add cement to help stabilize it. The RMIT team skipped that step. The weight of the compacted soil and the support from the cardboard tube give the material its structure, so there's no need for cement. (Family Handyman)
LABOR & WORKFORCE
🎓 37% of Gen Z College Grads Want This Kind of Job
The days of fresh-faced young grads going straight from the dorm to climbing the corporate ladder seem like a relic of the past, and a new report from Resume Builder confirms it. More than a third of Gen Z college graduates (37%) are now opting for blue-collar jobs that include manual labor, skilled trades, or other hands-on tasks, spanning fields like construction, manufacturing, electrical work, plumbing, automotive work, and other trades that keep physical systems and infrastructure running. And it turns out Gen Zers aren't waiting until after college to think about trade work; 42% of all Gen Zers surveyed are either working in or preparing for a hands-on trade profession. (Reader's Digest)
| | U of M Seeks Design Team for St. Paul Campus Center | | |
Read more on Finance & Commerce
The University of Minnesota is seeking design services for a planned $126-million campus center in St. Paul, a project that will be up for state funding this year.
The U of M, via the State Designer Selection Board, is accepting design proposals through January 20 for the roughly 95,000-square-foot St. Paul Campus Center, which will house dining, retail, student union, classroom, and library spaces, among other functions.
Described as a "highly visible and welcoming campus gateway," the new building will rise at the current site of the Magrath Library at 1984 Buford Avenue, which is at the intersection of Buford Avenue and Buford Circle.
The above-grade floors of the existing library will be demolished. The U of M also has plans for future demolition of the existing campus center, which is kitty-corner from the library, though not in concurrence with the library demolition.
Built in the 1950s, the 80,000-square-foot library "lacks the space types necessary to support" the "evolving mission" of the University of Minnesota Libraries, according to a predesign report from Alliiance.
The proposed St. Paul Campus Center is a key part of the U of M's $284-million capital request for the 2026 legislative session. The request, which was approved by the Board of Regents in October, includes $84-million for the St. Paul Campus Center. In addition, the university wants $100-million from the state for asset preservation, and another $100-million to partially renovate Moos Tower for the School of Dentistry.
| | ABOVE PHOTO: A view of the current St. Paul Student Center on the U of M's campus. Photo by CJ Bonk of The Minnesota Daily. | | |
Construction Seminar: Electrical Hazard Awareness & Safety
Presented by Minnesota's Department of Labor & Industry
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DATE: Tuesday, January 20
TIME: 7:00am - 8:30am
LOCATION:
COST: No fee to attend.
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Join Minnesota OSHA Compliance at its next free Construction Seminar to learn how to be aware of the dangers of common worksite electrical hazards and how to work among them safely.
Presenter Andy Shea, safety manager with Hunt Electric, will talk about temporary power, installation, maintenance, compliance, and safety regarding electrical equipment and the hazards on a construction site.
Andy has more than 20 years of construction experience and is a member of Local 563 Laborers Union. He received a master's degree in environmental health and safety from the University of Minnesota Duluth before joining Hunt Electric as a safety professional.
About the Construction Seminar series
Minnesota OSHA (MNOSHA) Compliance's free Construction Seminars feature a presentation about a specific construction safety or health topic with time for questions, answers, and input, plus updates from MNOSHA Compliance about what's currently happening regarding investigations.
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• Total Projects Received at MBEX from 12/29/2025 - 1/2/2026: 57
• Total Project Leads Reported on at MBEX from 12/29/2025 - 1/2/2026: 3
• Total Active Projects Received / Reported on at MBEX as of 1/6/2026: 358
• Total New Projects in the Online Plan Room as of 1/6/2026: 86
• Total Projects Posted to the Online Plan Room in 2025: 5,053
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Click the button above to view the most recent project data from both
date ranges of 12/24/2025 - 12/30/2025 and 12/31/2025 - 1/6/2026.
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
• January 14 - Reading Construction Documents course [Day 1]
• January 15 - Online Plan Room Demo
• January 15 - Reading Construction Documents course [Day 2]
• January 21 - Annual Meeting & Luncheon
• February 4 - Meet the Estimators
• February 19 - Online Plan Room Demo
• 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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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, Associated General Contractors of Minnesota; 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, BUILD Renewables; 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
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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