Did you know Minnesota has 19 official state symbols? We've got the Loon as our state bird, the Agate as our gemstone, and the Honeycrisp Apple as our official fruit (a solid choice, if you ask me). That list might be growing. Lawmakers are considering adding a state fossil (shoutout to the giant beaver 🦫) and even a state constellation (Ursa Minor, fitting for the North Star State). And when it comes to our official state song? Why settle for one when you can have three --- Hail! Minnesota, Purple Rain, and Girl from the North Country are all in the running. 🍎 💜 ✨ | | | | |
By Ashlee
Membership & Communications Manager
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Five Quick Things To Know / Do This Week:
1.) Early bird pricing for the MBEX Spring Social ends on April 4th. Be the early bird that actually gets the worm by registering now. Yes, right now! Prices goes up April 5th. Don't say I didn't warn you...
2.) The annual Minnesota Construction Teacher's Conference is taking place May 1-2, 2025, and this conference provides career and tech education instructors an opportunity to network, collaborate, and share success stories while learning about the current state of the industry. Spread the word to your local educators in support of this great event put on by Project Build Minnesota.
3.) 25% tariff, 100% headache. The latest post on the MBEX blog explores the recently imposed steel and aluminum tariffs and strategies for how contractors can keep costs in check.
4.) Investment in new warehouse space surged over the past few years, but it was already rising pretty rapidly prior to the pandemic.
5.) You've definitely met at least ONE of these guys on a job site 🤭
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Inside This Issue:
• Spring Social: Why networking is still essential for Minnesota constructors
• Firm Billings: Business conditions remained soft in February
• Preview: Look inside the latest issue of the Pre-Plan Pipeline
• Improvements: Duluth International Airport announces $150M in project updates
• MBEX Events: Construction estimating, early bird pricing, and plan room demos
• Five Headlines: Nonresidential prices notch 'far-too-hot' gain, navigating risk with the go-no-go process, Minnesota facing uncertainty with federal infrastructure funding, circular cement makes for strong & green concrete, and worm-like robots install underground power lines
• Project of the Week: HealthPartners advance plans for new Stillwater hospital
• Industry Event: 26th Annual SADBOC Government Procurement Fair on April 17
• Member Benefit: Simplify fueling your business with Circle K Pro
| | Why Networking Still Matters For Minnesota's Constructors | | In an industry built on trust, relationships, and reputation, networking remains a crucial tool for success. While technology has changed how business is conducted, the construction industry still thrives on personal connections. | | |
For Minnesota’s commercial contractors, suppliers, and service providers, building and maintaining strong relationships can open doors to new projects, partnerships, and growth opportunities.
According to industry experts, networking provides direct access to potential clients, helps businesses stay informed about market trends, and fosters collaboration. Whether it’s finding reliable subcontractors, discovering new bid opportunities, or simply exchanging industry insights, networking can be the difference between landing the next big job or missing out. Face-to-face interactions help establish trust — something that’s invaluable in an industry where reputation is everything.
That’s why MBEX makes networking a priority, and our upcoming Spring Social on April 16 is the perfect place to strengthen your industry connections. Whether you're a long-time member or new to the Exchange, this event is a great way to meet fellow professionals, exchange ideas, and expand your business network in a relaxed, casual setting.
Beyond just business, networking fosters a sense of community. Construction is a team effort, and having a strong network means having people to turn to for advice, referrals, or even just support during challenging times. The more connected you are, the more opportunities come your way.
So mark your calendar for April 16 at the Golden Valley Country Club and join us for an evening of great conversations, new connections, and plenty of fun.
Because in construction, who you know still matters just as much as what you build.
Event Details
📍 Location: Golden Valley Country Club (7001 Golden Valley Road, Golden Valley, 55427)
⏰ Time: 3:00pm - Doors Open | 5:00pm - Program Begins
💲 Cost: $50 per person (Early Bird thru 4/4)
🎤 Speakers: Todd Rapp & Sean Oyaas of Rapp Strategies - Sharing key insights on strategic communications in public projects, an essential topic as infrastructure investments increase and public engagement becomes critical to project success.
📣 Sponsorships: Choose the level of sponsorship that fits your business best, receive recognition for your business, and support the Exchange.
| | AIA: Business Conditions Remained Soft in February | | The AIA / Deltek Architecture Billings Index (ABI) score was 45.5 for the month, indicating that a majority of firms are still experiencing declining firm billings. Billings were flat early in the fourth quarter of 2024 but have softened significantly since then. | | |
February also marked the first month since the height of the pandemic in 2020 that inquiries into new projects at firms have declined. Inquiries can be as formal as an RFP or RFQ from a potential client, or as informal as a discussion about a potential project, and rarely decline, even during periods of economic softness. The decline this month likely reflects the ongoing uncertainty about the economy at this time.
In addition, the value of new signed design contracts decreased at firms for the twelfth consecutive month in February, as clients also remain hesitant to commit to new projects at this time.
REGIONAL
Billings remained soft in all regions of the country in February as well. While firms located in the West reported modest growth throughout the fourth quarter of 2024, business conditions there have softened somewhat since then. Billings remained weakest at firms in the Northeast, with more moderate declines in billings reported at firms located in the Midwest and South.
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SECTOR
Business conditions were also weak across firms of all specializations this month, remaining softest at firms with a multi-family residential specialization for the second consecutive month.
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Inflation Declines, But Concerns About Tariffs' Impact Remain
Conditions in the broader economy were generally positive in February.
Nonfarm payroll employment added 151,000 new positions, modestly below the average monthly gains of 168,000 over the last 12-months. Construction employment added 19,000 new jobs, the largest monthly growth since September 2024, while real estate and rental and leasing employment added 10,000 new jobs this month. Architecture services employment remained essentially flat in January (the most recent data available), shedding 200 positions.
The Consumer Price Index (CPI) grew by 0.2% in February, indicating that inflation declined modestly, most notably due to decreases in energy and food prices. However, there is concern that the impact of the recently announced tariffs may cause the price of goods to rise again in the coming months. With this uncertainty, the Federal Reserve looks unlikely to lower interest rates at its meeting this month but is still expected to lower them later in the year.
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What Projects were Inside the Latest Pre-Plan Pipeline?
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The latest issue of the Pre-Plan Pipeline landed in inboxes on March 12, featuring 130 projects across 45 cities and counties in Minnesota and the surrounding region.
Exclusive to our Premium Access members, this publication provides early insights into projects still in their formative stages --- keeping you informed on new proposals, project discussions, and potential developments.
Want a preview? Click the image below for a sample of the projects and information shared each month.
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The Pre-Plan Pipeline is emailed each month in an easily downloadable format, complete with links to project sources (when available). It's automatically sent to all MBEX member companies with Premium Access services as part of their membership.
Not receiving it? Here's what to do:
(1.) Check your spam / junk folder. If it's there, move it to your main inbox and mark MBEX as a safe sender.
(2.) Still not seeing it? Email Ashlee to be added to the list.
Not a Premium Access member but want to be? Give us a call to upgrade!
| | Duluth International Announces $150M in Capital Improvements | | |
Outside of the Twin Cities, the Duluth International Airport (DLH) is the busiest airport in Minnesota, and last week, the Duluth Airport Authority (DAA) announced several large capital improvement projects, with funding from state, federal, airport, and private investments.
Over the next five years, the airport plans to spend nearly $150-million on capital improvement projects, including:
- Replacing the air traffic control tower;
- Building new hangers to support aviation business; and
- Reconstructing the primary two-mile parallel taxi-way.
Investments at DLH will average about $30-million per year until 2029 and will support 317 jobs, $24.7-million in labor income, and $61.1-million in output each year.
Airport authorities said that the new air control tower's concept plan is completed, but they're waiting to secure both federal and state funding before breaking ground.
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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
April 11 - Construction Estimating Principles & Application
Great estimators know that to be competitive and competent in the current market their companies must continually be in search of an edge, asking the question, "How can we approach this project differently than our competition?" Sign Up Here
April 16 - Reading Construction Documents [Part 1]
From navigating title block information to combing through specification documents, participants will learn how to navigate a project and understand the material, construction requirements, and basics of reading construction documentation. Sign Up Here
April 16 - MBEX Spring Social - Early Bird Pricing Ends 4/4!
At this annual social, this MBEX event provides members the opportunity to mingle, network, and deepen connections with other industry professionals. We will also be joined by two special guest speakers: Todd Rapp & Sean Oyaas of Rapp Strategies. Register Here
** April 17 - 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
April 17 - Reading Construction Documents [Part 2]
Part 2 of this online program taught by UChapter2.
May 6 - Bluebeam 1: Baseline Basics
Attendees will learn interface navigation including menu dropdowns, toolbars, various tool panels, keyboard shortcuts and a few recommended settings. While learning various markup and measurement tools, several tips and tricks will be shared to increase accuracy and speed. Register Here
May 7 - Bluebeam 2: Material Takeoffs & Estimates (Basic)
Attendees will go through the standard measurement tools and settings, then move into various customization options and discuss the results in the Markups List. Register Now
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. Register Now
May 8 - Bluebeam 3: Material Takeoffs & Estimates (Advanced)
After finishing the Bluebeam Takeoffs & Estimates (Basic) course, attendees will move into creating custom columns, embedding formulas, and information organization. Register Here
May 26 - Memorial Day
MBEX will be closed in observance of the Memorial Day holiday.
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. Registration will open in early April
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Five construction-related headlines you need to read over the next coffee break.
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ECONOMIC OUTLOOK
🥵 Nonresidential Construction Prices Notch 'Far-Too-Hot' 9% Annualized Gain
Nonresidential construction input prices soared in February to notch a red-hot 9% annualized pace year to date, according to Associated Builders and Contractors. Overall construction inputs gained 0.6% for the month, following the biggest jump in two years in January, as builders rushed to gather materials ahead of tariffs. Iron and steel jumped 3.9% in February, while softwood lumber prices surged 2.8%. (Construction Dive)
RISK MANAGEMENT
🚦 Navigating Construction Risks with the Go-No-Go Process
Go-No-Go gives leaders and staff a customized framework to identify and document potential risks before greenlighting any project. Construction leaders use the process to pre-evaluate potential challenges and opportunities against their existing business plan. The process is meant to reflect a company's business scope and realistic tolerance levels for capacity, capital, risks and return. (Construction Executive)
IN MINNESOTA'S BACKYARD
🔐 State Facing Uncertainty with Federal Infrastructure Funding
A long awaited highway reconstruction project in Bemidji is in limbo after the White House froze the main funding source --- an $18-million federal grant awarded by the Biden administration. With no timeline for when the funds might be unlocked --- or whether they will be released at all --- Bemidji officials have spent the last couple of weeks trying to decide how to move forward in the face of uncertainty. The Highway 167 reconstruction project is one example of how President Trump's attempts to freeze federal funding are creating uncertainty for Minnesota infrastructure projects. (Minnesota Reformer)
SUSTAINABLE BUILDING MATERIALS
💪 Circular Cement Makes for Strong & Green Concrete
Researchers have found a way to take waste concrete from demolition sites and turn it into fresh new concrete that has a strength not seen before from such a product. The breakthrough could lead to significant emissions reductions in the building sector. (News Atlas)
UNDERGROUND UTILITIES
🪱 Worm-Like Robots Install Power Lines Underground
Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio, is building a self-propelled robotic sleeve that mimics earthworms' characteristic peristaltic movement to advance through soil. Awarded $2-million from the U.S. Department of Energy in January 2024, Case's "peristaltic conduit" concept hopes to more precisely navigate underground and reduce the risk of unintended damage, such as breaking an existing pipe. (IEEE Spectrum)
| | HealthPartners Advances Plan for New Stillwater Hospital | | |
Read more on Finance & Commerce
The city of Stillwater released an environmental review document, known as an Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW), for the new 400,000-square-foot HealthPartners' Lakeview Hospital project, which will rise on part of a 64-acre site at Manning Avenue North and Highway 36.
Included in the project are 85 inpatient beds, 20 observation beds and an 11-bed emergency room. The new six-story hospital will be nearly twice as big as the existing Lakeview Hospital --- a 212,000-square-foot, 1960s-vintage building in the north-central part of Stillwater. At the new site, HealthPartners has enough room for a future 56,000-square-foot expansion. Also included in the plan is up to 24,000-square-feet of space for one or more medical office buildings.
The EAW process, which includes a 30-day comment period, looks at potential project impact on everything from noise and traffic to historic properties and greenhouse gas emissions. The comment period runs through April 17th.
Next steps include planning commission review. The commission, at its March 26th meeting, will look at land use applications. The project could move to the full city council in April.
The EAW reveals that the plan is to begin construction this spring and complete the project in Summer 2027.
HealthPartners' project team includes HKS, an architectural firm out of Chicago, in partnership with local design firm BWBR. Also on board are engineering firm Dunham, ERA and Loucks. Concord Group, a national real estate advisory firm, is the owner's representative.
| | PICTURED ABOVE: A site plan, provided by Loucks, is shown for the future Lakeview Hospital in Stillwater, a 400,000-square-foot project. | | |
26th Annual SADBOC Government Procurement Fair
Presented by the Small & Developing Business Opportunities Council
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Small businesses interested in doing business with government agencies and prime contractors are encouraged to attend this trade fair.
Coupling education with marketing strategies, this event will provide small businesses an opportunity to meet with representatives from federal, state, and local departments, commercial / prime contractors, and nonprofit organizations. Attend any of the offered 21 workshops in 4 tracks and visit more than 60 exhibitors on the trade floor.
The 26th Annual SADBOC Government Procurement Fair is sponsored by the Small and Disadvantaged Business Opportunities Council, in cooperation with the Minnesota APEX Accelerator.
Download an informational flyer here
| | Benefit of the Week: Circle K Pro | | |
Don't let high fuel costs drain your budget.
Simplify fueling your business and save thousands of dollars a year by taking advantage of savings through Circle K's business fuel card
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Fuel Savings
MBEX Members save 30¢ for 90-days, and then after those initial 90-days, save 7¢ on every gallon when fueling at Circle K or Holiday locations
Card Security
Know which driver is buying what, where, and when. A unique Drive ID is required with every purchase to add a level of security that helps protect against lost or stolen cards.
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Expansive Network
Circle K Pro Partner is now accepted at any one of their 6,000+ Circle K or Holiday locations, wherever you see one of their logos.
Online Fleet Management
Help prevent unwanted spending with pre-set controls and alerts. Add spending limits for fuel, service, parts, and general merchandise. Your online account allows you to set these limits and flag any transactions outside of those set guidelines.
Expert Support
Friendly and knowledgeable representatives are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to answer questions or to cancel lost or stolen cards immediately.
Ready to get started with Circle K Pro?
Contact our representative Brian Korb at brian.korb@circlek.com or (984) 389-1759.
| | PROJECT INFORMATION + UPDATES | | |
• Total Projects Received at MBEX from 3/17/2025 - 3/21/2025: 111
• Total Project Leads Reported on at MBEX from 3/17/2025 - 3/21/2025: 66
• Total Active Projects Received / Reported on at MBEX as of 3/25/2025: 493
• Total New Projects in the Online Plan Room as of 3/25/2025: 1,563
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Click the button above to view the most recent project data from 3/19/2025 - 3/25/2025.
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
• April 11 - Construction Estimating Principles & Application [Online Course]
• April 16 & 17 - Reading Construction Documents [2-Day Online Course]
• April 16 - MBEX Spring Social
• April 17 - Online Plan Room Demo
• May 6 - Bluebeam 1: Baseline Basics
• May 7 - Bluebeam 2: Material Takeoffs & Estimates (Basic)
• May 7 - Young Professionals Network (YPN) Networking Event
• May 8 - Bluebeam 3: Material Takeoffs & Estimates (Advanced)
• May 15 - Online Plan Room Demo
• May 26 - Memorial Day - MBEX Closed
• June 4 - Member Appreciation BBQ
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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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