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Volume 45 - 2023 | Wednesday, November 8, 2023 | www.mbex.org | |
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Five Things To Do / Know This Week:
1.) Take five minutes to share your input with the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis so they can receive real-time information on recent construction activity levels and constructor outlook for 2024. (If you have received a survey alert from multiple trade partners, including MBEX, please only respond to this survey once.)
2.) Introducing a new Weekly Bulletin feature: Tips & Tricks. Each week, we'll offer insider tips and answer frequently asked questions about the Online Plan Room to better utilize the digital platform and make it work for you. See our first tip below (look for the blue background).
3.) Register to join us in Duluth on December 7 for Holiday Party North.
4.) Thank a veteran for their service and sacrifice on Saturday, November 11.
5.) Test your knowledge: How much leave do employees have the right to receive under Minnesota's pregnancy and parental leave law? A.) Up to 6 weeks; B.) Up to 9 weeks; C.) Up to 12 weeks; or D.) Up to 15 weeks. Check your answer
Midweek Motivation: Stay positive, work hard, and make it happen.
IN THIS WEEK'S BULLETIN:
• Professional Development: Join us November 16 for online learning opportunities
• Grants Awarded: Over $580,000 awarded for commercial redevelopment up north
• Tips & Tricks: Review company personnel and usage
• Pay Stubs: New Sick and Safe Leave earnings statement requirements
• October Regulatory Roundup, True 'Zero-Emissions', & Modern Work Boots: Five construction headlines, and a deep dive into the Las Vegas Sphere
• Member Benefits: Save on office / cleaning supplies with Staples Advantage
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Explore our Latest Online Class Offerings | |
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We're thrilled to offer MBEX members two upcoming online classes designed to revolutionize your workflow and project management skills.
Join us on Thursday, November 16 for a live demo of the MBEX Online Plan Room with MBEX staff, and for Bluebeam Revu for Administrative Professionals taught by Troy DeGroot with UChapter2.
Here's what you can look forward to:
LIVE DEMO - MBEX ONLINE PLAN ROOM
November 16 | 9:00am-10:00am | Free
From the Deskpad to setting up filters, to project information to bidders lists, this one-hour session is a great introduction (or refresher course) to our Online Plan Room. There will be time at the end of the presentation for questions and answers. Registrants must be signed up no later than 8:00am the morning of November 16 to receive Zoom link and other information. Sign Up Here
BLUEBEAM REVU FOR ADMINISTRATIVE PROFESSIONALS
November 16 | 3:00pm - 5:00pm CST | $99 (Member), $149 (Non-Member)
Administrative teams have unique document workflows that demand a different set of tools compared to design and construction teams. In just two hours you’ll be ready to combine documents, mark for redaction, apply digital signatures and several other important administrative tasks.
Course learning objectives include: (1) Extracting pages from existing documents; (2) Using Redaction to quickly clean sensitive information from documents; (3) Creating and applying digital signatures; (4) Updating page labels; (5) Applying headers and footers; (6) Searching document text and visual symbols; (7) Applying stamps; and (8) Flagging important content in documents. Enroll Here
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Over $580,000 in Commercial Redevelopment Grants Awarded to Business Projects in Chisholm, Hibbing and Virginia | |
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The cities of Chisholm, Hibbing and Virginia were awarded $586,030 in Commercial Redevelopment grants by Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation at the end of September 2023.
The agency invests approximately $1-million annually into the grant program across its 13,000-square-mile service area. The grants assist with the internal and external demolition of commercial and industrial buildings and clean-up of brownfields to pave the way for new development.
The recent grants include:
CITY OF CHISHOLM - $120,000
To redevelop a vacant downtown property on Lake Street into a new business that operates as a gallery on the main floor and a rentable tenant space on the second floor. The building's interior must be completely refitted with new code compliant electrical, plumbing, heating and safety features. Total project investment is estimated at $441,757.
CITY OF HIBBING - $200,000
To redevelop a building adjacent to Sammy's Pizza on Howard Street. The owners of Sammy's Pizza purchased the building and will expand their operation into the space once it is renovated. Total project investment is estimated at $2,216,736.
CITY OF VIRGINIA - $90,000
To perform emergency demolition on a commercial building owned by Pohaki Lumber who intends to reconstruct it as a multi-level commercial space with tenants. Total project investment is estimated at $297,355.
CITY OF VIRGINIA - $84,250
To redevelop a building (formerly Goodwill) adjacent to Northeast Technical Services, Inc. (NTS) on Chestnut Street. The owners of NTS purchased the building and will expand their office and lab operations into the space once it is renovated. Total project investment is estimated at $1,700,000.
CITY OF HIBBING - $67,850
To redevelop a four-level building into short-term rentals and a food and entertainment establishment, The Iron House. Total project investment is estimated at $492,350.
CITY OF HIBBING - $18,890
To redevelop a building located on 4th Avenue East into a space that will be leased by The Hibbing Elks Lodge which operates a restaurant, bar and special events venue. Total project investment is estimated at $325,548.
CITY OF VIRGINIA - $5,040
To renovate interior portions of F&D Meats to allow for installation of new coolers and freezers. F&D is located in a 50-year-old building and has been operating in Virginia for more than 40 years providing fresh cut meats and groceries. The meat shop was recently purchased by new owners who have invested in the building to elevate the customer experience. Total project investment is estimated at $93,099.
Read the Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation press release
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TIP OF THE WEEK: Reviewing Company Personnel & Usage | |
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Has it been a while since you've reviewed your company's listed personnel (or users) or had staff turnover recently? If the answer to either question is 'yes,' then this is your sign to review and make necessary updates. This information can be viewed within the Online Plan Room.
Upon signing in, click on 'Administration' from the primary navigation menu across the top of the page. From the drop-down, select 'Review Company Usage'.
Here, you will see every employee currently listed under the company membership, how many projects they've viewed, and how many times they've logged in within a specific time frame. (Numbers will only appear behind the names of those with an assigned login.)
This is beneficial for managers who need to know which employees are looking at projects, as well as view the current users on the account and determine if additions or deletions need to take place. To make those additions, deletions, or transfer plan room access from one employee to another, please contact MBEX.
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New Sick and Safe Leave Earnings Statement Requirements | |
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Employers in Minnesota must provide earnings statements with certain required information to all employees at the end of each pay period.
Earnings statements are important payroll records for employers and employees that document information about wages paid, hours worked, deductions made, and benefits accrued by an employee.
Earnings statements must include at least the following information:
- the name of the employee;
- the total hours worked by the employee in the pay period, unless the worker is considered exempt under the Minnesota Fair Labor Standards Act;
- the rate or rates of pay, including whether the employee is paid by the hour, shift, day, week, salary, piece, commission or other method;
- any allowances claimed for meals or lodging under Minnesota Rules 5200;
- the gross pay earned by the employee in the pay period;
- the net pay after all deductions are made;
- the date the pay period ended;
- the employer's legal and operating name;
- the employer's telephone number; and
- the physical address of the employers main office or principal place of business and a mailing address, if different.
In addition, under Minnesota's earned sick and safe time law, which goes into effect January 1, 2024, employers will be required to include the following additional information on earnings statements:
- the total number of sick and safe time hours available for use by the employee; and
- the total number of sick and safe time hours used by the employee in the pay period.
Read more in the October issue of The Wage and Hour Bulletin
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November 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. Register Here
November 16 - Bluebeam for Administrative Professionals (online class)
Administrative teams have unique document workflows that demand a different set of tools compared to design and construction teams. In just two hours you’ll be ready to combine documents, mark for redaction, apply digital signatures and several other important administrative tasks. Register Here
November 23 & 24 - Thanksgiving - MBEX Closed
MBEX will be closed Thursday and Friday for the holiday, and will return to regular business hours on Monday, November 27.
November 27 & 29 - Reading Construction Documents (online class)
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. This class is taught by Troy DeGroot with UChpater2. Register Here
November 28 - 2nd Annual Summit on Mental Health in Construction
The Minnesota Construction Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Coalition is proud to host their annual summit focusing on substance use and mental health in construction. This Summit is open to anyone in the construction industry from field personnel to executive leadership. Register Here
December 7 - Holiday Party North
Come gather with fellow construction industry professionals for an evening of festive cheer and networking at Holiday Party North in Duluth. Event will be held at Ridgeview Country Club and includes a social hour, sit-down dinner, short program, and door prize giveaways. Register Here
December 13 - 2024 Construction Economic Forecast
Crafted with commercial contractors in mind, Anirban Basu's (chief economist for Associated Builders and Contractors) presentation will reflect on an unusual year --- one that started with high inflation and fears of an impending recession but ultimately held steady --- and will continue with a look forward into 2024 and beyond. Register Here
January 10 - MBEX Annual Meeting & Luncheon
Save the date for the first members-only event of the new year. The MBEX Annual Meeting provides members the opportunity to enjoy lunch and socialize with fellow industry professionals, congratulate new incoming Board Members, recognize those leaving the Board, all while actively observing annual meeting protocol. This event is open to ALL current MBEX members.
REMEMBER: If you are an employee of a current MBEX member company, you are welcome to attend any and all MBEX events.
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INDUSTRY REGULATIONS
⚠️ October Regulatory Roundup - Latest Developments Affecting Construction
Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) has prepared a summary of regulatory actions of interest to its members and the larger construction industry. Regulatory actions covered within this roundup include: OSHA's Tracking of Workplace Injuries and Illnesses, Heat Injury and Illness Prevention in Indoor / Outdoor Settings, Worker Walkaround Representative Designation Process, Personal Protection Equipment in Construction, Welding in Construction Confined Spaces, Updating the Davis-Bacon and Related Acts Regulations, Independent Contractors, Overtime, Form LM-10 Employer Report, National Apprenticeship System Enhancements, Prevailing Wage and Apprenticeship Regulations, Use of Project Labor Agreement for Federal Construction Projects, Ban or Noncompete Agreements, and more. (Associated Builders and Contractors)
ENVIRONMENT + SUSTAINABILITY
♻️ The EPA Wants to Tighten Up Their 'Zero-Emission' Building Definition
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is releasing guidelines to more clearly define what is considered a truly 'zero-emission' building. The EPA's new outline is reportedly based on a "three pillar" approach. These pillars include no on-site emissions, the use of 100 percent renewable energy, and adherence to strict energy efficiency guidelines. (Smart Cities Dive)
LABOR + SAFETY
🥾 Beyond Steel Toes: Modern Work Boots Offer Safety, Comfort, Support
Although boots can't offer 100% protection, they cut down on workplace injuries, whether they stop a nail from piercing an ankle or prevent tendonitis by offering the right support. New advances in material science and a focus on fitting every worker have made work boots more comfortable and easier to wear. (Construction Dive)
TECHNOLOGY + SECURITY
👀 Architects and Contractors Underestimate Cyberattack Risk
According to a new report published by Dodge Construction Network, 59% of design and construction industry firms have experienced a cybersecurity threat within the last two years. General contractors were hit more frequently, with 70% experiencing a threat and 30% suffering a ransomware attack since 2021. Successful attacks can be dire, with 77% of firms saying they would experience critical schedule delays if access to documentation is blocked for more than five days. (Building Design + Construction)
MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS
💪 Solutions for the Silent Struggle of Mental Health in the Construction Industry
The construction industry is known for its hardworking professionals who are both strong and resilient. Behind the scenes, however, many workers grapple with stress, anxiety and depression, with 93% of construction leaders saying that addressing mental health is needed for a strong business. (CONEXPO CON / AGG)
🦺 NATIONAL PROJECT DEEP DIVE
Here's How They Built the Wild Interior of the Las Vegas Sphere
Gallons of digital ink have been spilled to describe the glowing exterior of Las Vegas's Sphere, the orb-shaped entertainment venue on the Last Vegas Strip that opened on September 29 with a performance by U2. And how could it not? With a 580,000-square-foot surface from blinking eyeballs and a mesmerizing AI-art piece by Refik Anadol to hyper-produced ads for upcoming shows, the largest spherical building ever constructed is one of the world's most unique structures. It's also a perfect fit --- and an up-the-ante --- for the restless, nonstop, glittering show that is Vegas. But so far, discussion of the building's 875,000-square-feet of interior spaces has been mostly lacking. Surprise! These areas are every bit as transporting as what's outside. (Fast Company)
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Photo: Tayfun Coskun / Anadolu Agency / Getty Images | |
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An Introduction to Construction Dispute Avoidance and Resolution Boards
Webinar presented by Construction Executive
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DATE: Wednesday, November 15
TIME: 1:00pm CST
LOCATION: Online
COST: Free
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The complexity and long-term nature of construction projects create a level of uncertainty, and it is impossible to resolve every detail and foresee external factors that may create a dispute at the outset. The AAA-ICDR Dispute Avoidance and Resolution Board (DARB) Procedures are designed to avoid and resolve potential disputes at the project stage, focusing on real-time resolution, utilizing construction industry experts available throughout the project.
This webinar will discuss the benefits of a DARB on a construction project; how and why it works (and when it does not work); how to set up a DARB, including selecting the right members; and what differentiates a DARB from other dispute-resolution processes.
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Mental Health in the Construction Industry
Construction Seminar presented by Minnesota OSHA Compliance
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DATE: Tuesday, November 21
TIME: 7:00am-8:30am
LOCATION: Online via Microsoft Teams or In-Person at the MnDOT Training and Conference Center (Shoreview, Minn.)
COST: Free
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This seminar's discussion will center on mental health in the construction industry and what you can do to help, what you should look for and how you can respond, as well as how the industry can better address the issue. More event details can be found here.
Rob Dahl of Holmes Murphy Construction will lead the discussion. Rob has more than 30 years of construction experience in production, safety and risk management. Before his current position, Dahl spent 18 years with national insurance carriers in consulting and regional director roles. He has also worked for contractors as a laborer, carpenter, superintendent, safety engineer and safety manager. He is a QPR Gatekeeper and certified in adult Mental Health First Aid.
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2nd Annual Summit on Mental Health in Construction
Presented by the Minnesota Construction Coalition
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DATE: Tuesday, November 28
TIME: 7:30am - 12:00pm
LOCATION: Ames Center (Burnsville)
COST: Free
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The Minnesota Construction Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Coalition is proud to host their annual summit focusing on substance use and mental health in construction.
Who should attend? Construction company owners, executives, project leadership, field personnel, and anyone else within the industry who wants to learn more about mental health and make a difference in the wellbeing of others at work and at home.
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Benefit of the Week: Staples Advantage | |
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Save on office and cleaning
supplies with Staples Advantage.
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Through Staples Advantage and NPP, MBEX members can order cleaning necessities and office supplies online. Keep your workspace squeaky clean with savings on cleaning and janitorial supplies, including bath tissue, disinfecting wipes, hand sanitizer, dryers, cleaning chemicals, dish soap, detergent, facial tissue, paper towels, trash bags, laundry care, cleaning equipment and more.
Member companies receive:
• Aggressive pricing on thousands of popular items
• Office Supplies, Technology, Janitorial, Printing and more
• Free next-day business delivery on most standard orders over $35
Sign up with NPP for free to activate this offer and many more. Enroll your business here: https://mynpp.com/association/mbex/
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NPP is a member benefit provider of the Minnesota Builders Exchange (MBEX), offering savings on products and services that businesses and employees use every day. Restrictions many apply. See www.mynpp.com for details.
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PROJECT INFORMATION + UPDATES | |
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• Total Projects Received at MBEX from 10/30/2023/2023 - 11/3/2023: 70
• Total Active Projects Received/Reported on at MBEX as of 11/7/2023: 300
• Total Projects in the Online Plan Room as of 11/7/2023: 4,267
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Click the button above to view the most recent project data from 11/1/2023-11/7/2023.
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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The information in this bulletin was 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.
2023 BOARD OFFICERS: President - Greg Grazzini, Grazzini Brothers & Co; Vice President - Mike Carlson, Max Gray Construction; Treasurer - Heidi Sedlacek, Bituminous Roadways; Past President - Randy LaFaive, Market & Johnson | 2023 DIRECTORS: David Brandt, Schadegg Mechanical; Jason DuVal, Tenet; Chuck Geisler, American Engineering Testing; Brian Kalla, St. Cloud Acoustics; Sean Ochis, Northern Industrial Insulation; Jason Rentmeester, Kraus-Anderson Construction; Andy Ristrom, Carl Bolander & Sons; 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; Don O'Connor, Duluth Branch Manager; Ka Yang, Peggy Esboldt, Janet Margheim & Shauna Baska, 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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