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Five Quick Things To Know/Do This Week:
1.) Get those tickets: the annual MBEX Spring Social is next week at TPC Twin Cities in Blaine.
2.) Plan Room secrets: join us for our next live demo on Thursday, April 18 at 9:00am.
3.) Congratulations, Sean Dols: he was recently promoted to the newly created position of Vice President of Field Operations with Knutson Construction where he will work to strengthen the company's field operations and trade services.
4.) Spread the word: the online application portal for the 2024 - 2025 MBEX / TBG Construction Scholarship will open this Thursday, April 11.
5.) Test Your Knowledge:
There are many challenges to setting up permanent structures on the Moon, least of which is getting all of the materials there. What lunar surface material is NASA studying as a potentially suitable solution for building roads, landing pads, and shelters?
A.) Regolith
B.) Helium-3
C.) Lunar Ice
D.) Moonquakes
See the Answer
We recently visited a nearby construction site, but didn't see anything. We only saw dust.
IN BRIEF:
• Next Week: Join MBEX at TPC Twin Cities for the annual MBEX Spring Social
• Road Work Ahead: MnDOT announces 2024 state projects
• New Members: Here's who joined the Exchange throughout March
• That's A Lot: Industry adds a whopping 24,6000 jobs last month
• OSHA'S final employee walkaround rule, Gen Z answering the labor call, and Key Takeaways regarding U.S. Bridge Conditions: Five construction headlines, and Saint Paul College's renovation project seeks design proposals
• Member Benefit: Find the right tires and save with TireBuyer
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NEXT WEEK: Annual MBEX Spring Social - April 17 | |
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Spring is in full swing, and what better way to celebrate than with the MBEX Spring Social? Join us next week for an event not to be missed!
Date: Wednesday, April 17
Time: 3:00pm - Check In & Networking | 5:00pm - Program & Special Guest Speaker | 5:30pm - Raffle Winners Announced & Door Prize Giveaways
Location: TPC Twin Cities (Blaine, Minn.)
Cost: $50 per person
The MBEX Spring Social is not just another networking opportunity—it's a chance to connect with industry peers, exchange ideas, and foster relationships that can propel your business forward.
Whether you're a seasoned veteran or just starting out in the construction industry, we want to see you at TPC Twin Cities.
Here's what you can expect:
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Rub elbows with fellow members and industry professionals in a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere. Make new connections and strengthen existing ones as you discuss the latest trends and opportunities in the commercial construction sector in Minnesota.
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Gain valuable insights and insider knowledge from our special guest speaker, Timothy O'Neill. Timothy is a regional analyst for the seven-county Twin Cities region of Minnesota with DEED and will share important insights into the state's construction workforce, helping all attendees understand current workforce challenges.
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Who doesn't love a chance to win? Spring Social attendees will have ample opportunities to go home with well-earned prizes from our mystery Wine & Spirits Pull, our 50/50 cash raffle, and door prize giveaways.
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Indulge in heavy appetizers and refreshing beverages while you mingle. Our Spring Social isn't only about business --- it's about enjoying good company, too.
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But wait, there's more: showcase your company's support by becoming a sponsor of the Spring Social.
Sponsorship opportunities are available for member companies looking to enhance their visibility and demonstrate their commitment to MBEX's construction community. Choose the sponsorship level that best suits you when registering for the event.
Ready to register? It's easy to do; simply click the blue "Register Here" button below to secure your spot today.
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We also want to thank our following sponsors: | |
MnDOT Announces 2024 State Construction Projects | |
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MnDOT's 2024 construction season features nearly 200 road and bridge projects, plus 54 improvement projects to airports, water ports, railroad crossings and transit infrastructure.
Last year's program touched 171 road and bridge projects and 52 improvements related to airports, water ports, railroad crossings and transit infrastructure.
Significant projects this year include:
• Replacing and repairing bridges on I-94 between Edina and Richfield continues for the second year of a four-year project that also includes reconfiguring the I-35W / I-494 interchange, building a pedestrian bridge, adding E-ZPass lanes, and constructing noise walls.
• Other major projects in the Twin Cities metro area include pavement improvements on I-94 between Oakdale and Lakeland and Highway 36 between Roseville and Little Canada, and the start of a three-year project to repair the Stone Arch Bridge in Minneapolis.
• Completing bridge work on I-35 between the Twin Cities and Duluth and resurface pavement near Hinckley, and the Atkinson bridge over Carlton County Road 61 will be repaired. Roadwork will also continue on I-35 in Duluth.
• Completing the I-35 Faribault project will include ramp, bridge and pavement improvements.
• Crews will begin a three-year project to improve the I-90 / Highway 52 Interchange southeast of Rochester which involves replacing the I-90 bridges, constructing a new ramp / bridge over Highway 52 and other improvements.
• Reconstructing Highway 220 north of East Grand Forks with pavement and culvert replacements to improve drainage and the driving surface.
• Resurfacing the Highway 25 bridge over the Mississippi River in Monticello, including drainage and sidewalk updates.
• A three-year project to improve the 11th Street underpass in Moorhead will involve constructing two underpasses under BNSF rail lines, sidewalk and other improvements.
• Two new roundabouts will be constructed during a two-year complete streets project on Highways 59 and 108 in Pelican Rapids, which will also improve a shared-use path, sidewalk and city utilities.
A complete list of upcoming projects is available at mndot.gov/construction.
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New Members Welcomed in March | |
Join us in giving a warm welcome to the newest member companies who joined the Exchange throughout the month of March: | |
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Core Mechanical Services
Minnetrista, Minn.
Plumbing & Heating
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CSI - Construction Services
Duluth, Minn.
General Contractor
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Evenson Concrete Systems
Mankato, Minn.
Concrete
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TS Systems
Deer River, Minn.
Technology Systems
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Viking Gypsum Floors
Wayzata, Minn.
Flooring Underlayment & Leveling
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Nonresidential Construction Adds Whopping 24,600 Jobs | |
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The construction industry added 39,000 jobs on net in March, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of data released on April 5, 2024, by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
On a year-over-year basis, industry employment has expanded by 270,000 jobs, an increase of 3.4%.
Nonresidential construction employment increased by 24,600 positions on net, with growth in three subcategories. Nonresidential specialty trade added the most jobs, increasing by 16,300 positions. Heavy and civil engineering and nonresidential building added 6,000 and 2,300 jobs, respectively.
The construction unemployment rate fell to 5.4% in March. Unemployment across all industries declined from 3.9% in February to 3.8% last month.
The 39,000 jobs added by the nation's construction segment was roughly twice the monthly growth observed over the past year.
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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 17 - MBEX Spring Social
Join us at TPC Golf Club in Blaine, Minn. with fellow construction business owners, executives, and industry professionals that includes a special guest speaker, drinks and delicious food, cash raffles benefiting the MBEX Construction Scholarship fund, and more. Register Here
April 18 - MBEX Online Plan Room Demo
From navigating the Deskpad, setting up filters, understanding project information, and bidders lists, this free, one-hour session is a great introduction to our Online Plan Room. There will be time at the end for questions and answers. Register Here
** April 24 - Registered Apprenticeship 101
Join representatives from Apprenticeship Minnesota to learn about registered apprenticeship, the benefits of growing and sustaining an innovative workforce, and strategies for meeting your need of skilled workers. Register Here
May 14 - MN Construction Crew's 10th Annual Construction Career Hiring Event
Presented by Construct Tomorrow, this in-person event is an opportunity providing contractors a chance to meet / interview individuals that are looking for employment. Learn More
** May 16 - MBEX Online Plan Room Demo
From navigating the Deskpad, setting up filters, understanding project information, and bidders lists, this free, one-hour session is a great introduction to our Online Plan Room. There will be time at the end for questions and answers. Not yet open for registration
May 27 - Memorial Day
MBEX will be closed on Monday, May 27 in observance of Memorial Day. Please plan any office visits and plan/spec/addenda orders accordingly.
Save the Date - June 5 - MBEX Member Appreciation BBQ
Let MBEX treat you to lunch as a thank you for your continued membership and support! Join us for a casual afternoon of Famous Dave's barbecue, cold beverages, a handful of door prizes, and great company and networking. Each member company receives 2 complimentary tickets.
Save the Date - June 18 - Twin Cities Golf Tournament
Join MBEX out on the greens not just to golf, but to also meet and mingle with fellow members and industry professionals.
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LABOR + SAFETY
📋 OSHA Publishes Final Employee Walkaround Rule
OSHA published a final rule concerning who may accompany agency inspectors, employers and workers on a workplace walkaround or inspection. The rule will go into effect May 31. The updated language reinstates a long-standing OSHA practice allowing employees to select a third party to accompany a walkaround. Under OSHA guidelines, both employers and employees have the right to have a representative accompany OSHA inspectors. (Construction Dive)
WORKFORCE
🛠️ How Gen Z is Becoming the Toolbelt Generation
American needs more plumbers, and Gen Z is answering the call. Long beset by a labor crunch, the skilled trades are newly appealing to the youngest cohort of American workers, many of whom are choosing to leave the college path. Rising pay and new technologies in fields from welding to machine tooling are giving trade professions a face-lift, helping them shed the image of being dirty, low-end work. (The Wall Street Journal)
INFRASTRUCTURE
🚨 Takeaways About the Condition of US Bridges & Their Role in the Economy
Though the Interstate 695 bridge in Baltimore had been in satisfactory condition before the shipping collision, thousands of other bridges stand in poor shape across the U.S. due to aging piers, beams and key structural components. Here are some takeaways from an Associated Press analysis of the more than 621,000 roadway bridges that are more than 20 feet long and are listed in the federal government's National Bridge Inventory. (A P News)
EMPLOYMENT LAW
⚖️ What Court Striking Down Labor Board's New Joint-Employer Rule Means for Construction Employers
Determination of the joint-employer issue will have a profound impact on the construction industry. As industry projects rely heavily on contractors and subcontractors, the NLRB's October 2023 joint-employer rule raised several concerns as the rule's expansion made it possible for virtually all contractor-subcontractor relationships to fall under the joint-employer umbrella without any exceptions for the construction industry. This concern has been temporarily alleviated.(J D Supra)
INNOVATION + TECHNOLOGY
🔥 Super-Efficient, Modular Kilns Could Turn the Cement Industry Upside Down
Many developing countries aren't able to finance a new cement plant or entice a company to build one, so they end up importing cement, paying dearly in the process. Furno's answer has been to develop a cement kiln that's smaller, more efficient, and more flexible than the massive ones favored by the industry today. Each unit may produce less than today's industry-standard designs, but it promises to be cheaper to build and use less energy to run. (Tech Crunch)
🦺 PROJECT OF THE WEEK
Design Proposals Sought for $32.4M Saint Paul College Overhaul
Plans and funding pitches are heating up for a major renovation at Saint Paul College as Minnesota State Colleges and Universities officials seek design services and construction money for the long-anticipated project. The Minnesota State System, via the State Designer Selection, is accepting design proposals through April 22 for the $33.4-million renovation, which will touch about 116,500-square-feet of classroom, laboratory and student services space on the campus at 235 Marshall Avenue in St. Paul. The Saint Paul College renovation is the No. 2 bonding priority for Minnesota State, right behind asset preservation. (Finance & Commerce)
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Photo: Saint Paul College / Bentz Thompson Rietow | |
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25th Annual SADBOC Government Procurement Fair
Presented by MN Department of Administration
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DATE: Thursday, April 11
TIME: 9:00am - 3:30pm
LOCATION: Heritage Center of Brooklyn Center (6155 Earle Brown Drive, Brooklyn Center)
COST: Free
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Small businesses interested in doing business with government agencies and prime contractors are encouraged to attend this premier event.
Coupling education with marketing strategies, this event will:
• Provide businesses an opportunity to meet with representatives on the trade floor from more than 60 federal, state, and local government agencies, large prime contractors, and nonprofit organizations; and
• Learn about various nuances of the government marketplace through 21 workshop options in 4 tracks centered around pathways to becoming a successful government contractor.
For questions, please contact Christina Nebel-Dickerson at (651) 201-2629.
This event is sponsored by the Federal Executive Board’s Small and Disadvantaged Business Opportunities Council, in cooperation with the State of Minnesota's APEX Accelerator.
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Traffic Control and Electrical Lighting: Job Costing and Bidding / Estimating | Presented by MN Department of Transportation | |
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DATE: Tuesday, April 16
TIME: 8:30am-10:30am
LOCATION: Online - link provided when you register
COST: Free
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Understand basic accounting concepts and budgeting for insurance, bonds, labor, equipment, materials, subcontractors and overhead. Learn how to find bidding opportunities, review advertisements, thrive in the low bid environment, and submit quotes.
Bring plans and specs you are working on and consultants will walk you through the entire process:
• Make takeoffs from the plans
• Successfully read the specs and general conditions
• Understand the various symbols and abbreviations
• How to get approvals
• Scheduling impacts
• Understanding MnDOT contract specifications
• How to prepare a bid
This seminar is for companies in Traffic Control and Electrical Lighting.
Questions: Stacia Rice, srice@imoconsulting.com
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2024 Spring Seminar: Facts and Fact Sheets
Presented by the MN Department of Labor and Industry
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DATES: Vary - see below.
TIME: All seminars begin at 8:00am
LOCATIONS: Vary - see below.
COST: $85
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The 2024 Department of Labor and Industry (DLI), Construction Codes and Licensing Davison's (CCLD) spring seminar will focus on the facts and fact sheets for the Minnesota Residential Building Codes.
Wednesday, April 17
• Detroit Lakes - Holiday Inn on the Lake - (218) 847-2121
Thursday, April 18
• Carlton - Black Bear Casino - (218) 878-2327
Wednesday, April 24
• Rochester - Chateau Center - (651) 280-8467
Thursday, April 25
• Redwood Falls - Redwood Area Community Center - (507) 644-2333
Wednesday, May 1
• Shoreview - MnDOT Training and Conference Center - (651) 284-5375
Thursday, May 2
• Little Falls - Camp Ripley Educational Center - (651) 280-4867
This seminar series has expanded to 6 seminar sites and is at many new locations throughout Minnesota to fill the requests and the needs addressed by the chapters and those served.
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NPP Benefit of the Week: TireBuyer | |
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With over 3 million tires in stock, TireBuyer offers MBEX members via NPP a smarter way to find the perfect product for your vehicle(s).
Search and select tires by vehicle, year, make and model, tire brand, and performance in a convenient online shopping environment.
Once you find the right tire, simply choose a local installer and your tires will be delivered for FREE in a day or two (often the same day). It's that easy!
PLUS, members can save 10% on select tires with promo code THANKYOU10.
As part of American Tire Distributors (ATD), TireBuyer has been providing tires and wheels online since 2009.
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National Purchasing Partners (NPP) is a trusted savings and solutions provider for businesses and their employees. NPP delivers negotiated contract pricing for leading-edge products. Membership is free and there is no obligation to purchase.
If your MBEX member company is not already an NPP member, enroll today and enjoy the buying power of large corporations.
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PROJECT INFORMATION + UPDATES | |
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• Total Projects Received at MBEX from 4/1/2024 - 4/5/2024: 99
• Total Projects Leads Reported on at MBEX from 4/1/2024 - 4/5/2024: 12
• Total Active Projects Received/Reported on at MBEX as of 4/9/2024: 392
• Total Projects in the Online Plan Room as of 4/9/2024: 1,448
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Click the button above to view the most recent project data from 4/3/2024-4/9/2024.
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 17 - MBEX Spring Social
• April 18 - Online Plan Room Demo
• May 14 - MN Construction Crew's 10th Annual Construction Career Hiring Event
• May 16 - Online Plan Room Demo
• May 27 - MBEX Closed (Memorial Day)
• June 4 - Bluebeam 1: Baseline Basics
• June 5 - Bluebeam 2: Material Takeoffs & Estimates (Basic)
• June 5 - Member Appreciation BBQ
• June 6 - Bluebeam 3: Material Takeoffs & Estimates (Advanced)
• June 18 - Twin Cities Golf Tournament
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Connect with the Builders Exchange: | |
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Information within the MBEX Weekly Bulletin are obtained from sources deemed reliable. The Minnesota Builders Exchange (MBEX) does not assume responsibility for its completeness or accuracy. You are urged to check your own sources in addition to the information contained in this publication. This issue contains plans and other bidding information received prior to and including the date noted above. The project data within this newsletter is intended for member company's and their employees use only.
2024 BOARD OFFICERS: President - Mike Carlson, Max Gray Construction; Vice President - Heidi Sedlacek, KLJ Engineering; Treasurer - Brian Kalla, St. Cloud Acoustics; Past President - Greg Grazzini, Grazzini Brothers | 2024 DIRECTORS: Allie Brady, Veit; Kevin Bohrer, Donlar Construction; David Brandt, Schadegg Mechanical; Jason DuVal, Tenet; Chuck Geisler, American Engineering Testing; Chris Niemand, Frattalone Companies; Sean Ochis, Northern Industrial Insulation; Jason Rentmeester, Kraus-Anderson Construction; and Nate Sapik, Benson Electric Company | STAFF: David Siegel - Executive Director; Julie Miller - Executive Assistant/Project Coordinator/Accounting; Jeff Boelter - Project Acquisition & IT; Ashlee Hartwig - Membership & Communications Manager; Melanie Hendrickson - Events & Membership Coordinator; Don O'Connor - Duluth Branch Manager; Shauna Baska, Peggy Esboldt, Janet Margheim, Michelle Siegel & Ka Yang - Project Reporters
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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