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Volume 33 - 2023 | Wednesday, August 16, 2023 | www.mbex.org | |
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A new report conducted by professional services firm Turner & Townsend offers a look into the global construction market and its currently five top-performing industry sectors:
(1) Industrial, Manufacturing and Distribution;
(2) Residential and Social Housing;
(3) Transport - road, rail and ports;
(4) Data Centers; and
(5) Corporate Occupier - office fit-outs.
Further down the list, mixed-use developments, oil and gas projects, and retail stores all saw an increase in construction activity. Meanwhile several categories saw a decline in activity including health, commercial office development, mining and metals, and airports.
Reflecting the rise in e-commerce and the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, shopping center construction activity sat at the bottom of the list.
IN THIS WEEK'S ISSUE:
• Recap: Last week's Sporting Clays Scholarship Fundraiser
• Prevailing Wages: Davis-Bacon Act updates effective on October 23
• Meet'em: Announcing the 2023-2024 MBEX/TBG Scholarship Recipients
• Minority Notice: ECI seeks MNUCP MBE and WBE vendors
• Reduce Reuse Recycle: Repurposing wind turbine blades into foot bridges, and five more construction headlines worth reading
• Member Benefit: Save up to 73% off core items at Batteries Plus
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RECAP: Sporting Clays Scholarship Fundraiser on 8/10 | |
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We couldn't have asked for a more perfect day for a clay shoot at Game Unlimited last Thursday (even with a little rain!). A sold out event with 158 shooters, volunteers, Board members, and staff, the 2023 clay shoot was a tremendous success in raising funds for the MBEX Scholarship Fund as well as friendly competition out on the course.
Big thanks to Pete Melloy and the Game Unlimited staff for hosting and for preparing a delicious dinner complete with steak, baked potatoes, corn on the cob, and more. Photos coming in next week's issue!
2023 MBEX SPORTING CLAY SHOOT RESULTS:
• 1st Place Team: Grazzini Brothers (score of 361)
• 2nd Place Team: NYCO (score of 354)
• 3rd Place Team: American Engineering Testing (score of 352)
• Top Female Shooter: Carissa Indrebo, RMS Rentals (score of 79)
• Top Male Shooter: Greg Grazzini, Grazzini Brothers (score of 100)
• Parkos Class Winner: Shannon Fellerer, Shaw/Stewart Lumber - Team 3
• 50/50 Raffle Winner ($640): Jeffrey Kocak
• SuperCash Raffle Winners ($500 each):
Hayden Peterson - Polyglass USA | Frank Potocnik - John A Knutson & Company
• Mulligan Raffle Winner - Hayden Peterson, Polyglass USA
Random Individual Winners (scores of 91-100, 70-89, and 50-69):
• Taylor Gunkel, Mortenson Construction with Grazzini Brothers (score of 91)
• Austin Blum, Frattalone Companies (score of 79)
• Ben Lindell, Harris Company - Team 1 (score of 63)
Random Team Winners:
• Parkos Construction - Team 1
• KW Specialty Services
• McGough Construction - Team 1
We'd also like to thank our event sponsors:
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Davis-Bacon Act Changes to be Effective on October 23 | |
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The Department of Labor (DOL) announced on Tuesday, August 8, that it will publish a rule updating the Davis-Bacon Act, which sets the prevailing wages contractors must pay workers on federal projects.
The rule, first announced in March 2022, will restore the DOL's definition of prevailing wage to make it equivalent to the wage paid to at least 30% of workers, rather than 50% of workers, in a given trade in a locality, according to a White House fact sheet.
The move is aimed at raising the hourly earnings of workers for prime contractors and subcontractors on projects that receive federal funding through legislation such as the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and CHIPS Act, but construction groups said it will raise the cost of infrastructure projects for taxpayers. Read More
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Meet the 2023-2024 MBEX/TBG Scholarship Recipients | |
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We are proud to announce the awarding of 13 MBEX / TBG Construction Scholarships to the thirteen following recipients for 2023-2024. Congratulations to our future workforce!
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Bridget Womack
$2,000
Occupational Health and Safety with a Construction Emphasis
Attending University of Wisconsin - Whitewater
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Hans Stelpflug
$1,500
Bachelor of Science in Construction
Attending University of Wisconsin - Stout
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Owen Hill
$2,000
Studying Electrical Construction Technology
Attending St. Cloud Technical and Community College
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Hans Lagerquist
$1,500
Bachelor of Science in
Civil Engineering
Attending University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
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Riley Corrigan
$2,000
Bachelor of Science in Architecture
Attending University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
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Cale Denk
$2,000
Bachelor of Science in Construction Management
Attending University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
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Quinn McCalla
$1,500
Associate Degree in Carpentry
Attending Alexandria Technical & Community College
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Paige Sanders
$1,500
Bachelor of Science in Environmental Engineering
Attending North Dakota State University
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Yones Abdullah
$2,000
Bachelor of Science in Construction Management
Attending Dunwoody College of Technology
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William Goehle
$1,500
Bachelor of Science in
Civil Engineering
Attending University of Wisconsin - Madison
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Jordan Rodenborg
$1,500
Associate Degree of Applied Science in Electrical Construction & Maintenance
Attending Dunwoody College of Technology
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Anthony Alioto
$1,500
Bachelor of Science in Construction Management
Attending Minnesota State University - Mankato
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Liam McVety
$2,000
Associate Degree in Carpentry, Welding Technology & Industrial Business
Attending Iowa Central Community College
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August 23 (Wednesday) - Golf North - Almost full!
Socialize and network on the greens of Ridgeview County Club in Duluth for what
we FORE!-see to be a fantastic event. Register Here
September 4 (Monday) - Labor Day
MBEX will be closed in observance of the holiday. Please plan accordingly.
September 6 (Wednesday) - Sporting Clays North
Get your shotguns locked and loaded. MBEX is proud to present its annual Sporting Clays North, and we can't wait to see our members in action. Register Here
September 11 & 13 - 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
SAVE THE DATE: October 10 - MBEX Fall Social & POWER Self-Care Health Fair
This widely-popular networking event provides an opportunity for attendees to socialize and mingle with other industry representatives in a casual, yet professional, atmosphere. New this year is the first-ever POWER Self-Care Health Fair, opening the full event to both MBEX members and non-members. More information coming soon.
NOTE: 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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Engineering & Construction Innovations, Inc., is seeking qualified MNUCP MBE and WBE vendors for the City of Minneapolis Fridley Softening Plant Rail Area Structure Rehabilitation project bidding on August 23, 2023.
Please send your quotes to Ron Sweep via email to resweep@eciconstructors.com or via facsimile to (651) 298-9113 by August 22, 2023.
Contact Ron Sweep at (651) 298-9111 for additional information and assistance.
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Engineering & Construction Innovations, Inc
7002 6th Street North
Oakdale, Minn., 55128
An Equal Opportunity Employer
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🥵 7 Ways Architects are Redesigning Buildings for Extreme Heat
As heat waves get hotter, longer, and much more frequent, better air-conditioning alone isn't enough to keep occupants comfortable --- we also need to redesign buildings to help them stay cooler, and avoid millions of ACs straining the grid so much that the power goes out. Designs that have been proven in the Southwest in cities like Phoenix may also now make sense in the Northwest in cities like Portland, Oregon. Here are seven strategies that architects are using. (Fast Company)
🐌 Apartment Construction Slows Amid Difficult Financial Conditions
Starts of buildings with five or more units fell 11.2% in June to a seasonally adjusted annualized pace of 482,000, according to the most recent starts data reported from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the U.S. Census Bureau. With financing for new apartments proving challenging to obtain, permits for buildings with five or more units plummeted 33.1% to a seasonally adjusted rate of 467,000. Completions of properties with five or more units fell 2.5% to 476,000. (Smart Cities Dive)
💡 Lighting Construction Jobsites in New Ways
As the industry moves toward zero emissions with large equipment, pressure to minimize or eliminate the use of diesel generators is increasing, including decreasing or eliminating their use for site lighting. As with diesel internal combustion engines, these generators will continue to be used for the near future. However, for lighting jobsites, other options are available that can help contractors begin to move away from diesel lighting solutions. This includes other solutions that are also not traditional light towers. (For Construction Pros)
♻️ FAR Issues Proposed Rule on Sustainable Procurement in Federal Contracting
The Federal Acquisition Regulatory Council issued a proposed rule on August 3 that would establish new requirements for "sustainable procurement" in federal contracting. The proposed rule restructures and updates numerous existing FAR environmental and sustainability requirements, consolidating these requirements under FAR Part 23. (Associated Builders and Contractors)
🌫️ Researchers Repurpose Wind Turbine Blades as Footbridge Structure Elements
A transatlantic research network is finding ways to repurpose decommissioned wind turbine blades as footbridges. As the government scales up wind farm development, the challenge of disposing of turbine blades when they reach the end of their lives is gaining urgency. Turbine blades are primarily made of glass fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP) composite materials. They are non-biodegradable and designed for a service life of 20 to 25 years. (New Civil Engineer)
📚 LOCAL HEADLINE
Howard Lake to get Minnesota's First Net-Zero Library
A new 7,000-square-foot library under construction in Howard Lake's Central Park will generate as much or more energy on site as it consumes, according to BKV Group, the building's designer. The Minneapolis-based design firm says it will be the first net-zero library in the Upper Midwest and one of a handful in the country. When the library opens next year, it will replace an outdated, 44-year-old library built in a hillside --- a trendy response at the time to the 1970s energy crisis. (Finance & Commerce)
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Rendering by BKV Group of the Howard Lake net-zero library currently under construction. | |
Fall 2023 Workshop - Public Fleet Management Certificate
American Public Works Association - Minnesota Chapter
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• DATE: Tuesday, September 12 or Wednesday, September 13
• TIME: 7:15am - 4:00pm both days
• LOCATION: Plymouth Community Center (14800 - 34th Ave N, Plymouth, Minn., 55447)
• COST: $250 per person. Includes materials, breakfast, lunch and breaks
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The APWA-MN chapter is offering the Public Fleet Management Certificate for the 2023 Fall Workshop. The workshop will be offered two consecutive days; choose one workshop day, September 12 or September 13.
This one-day workshop is for new and experienced fleet managers and those aspiring to become fleet managers. The program will provide an overview of the many skills and areas of knowledge fleet managers need to be successful, including organization structures, communication, procurement, purchasing, finance, and fleet operations.
Email Mary Detloff with questions. Learn More + Register
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Legislative & Rulemaking Updates and
International Building Code (IBC) Townhomes
2023 Fall Seminar - MN Department of Labor and Industry
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• DATE: September 13, 19, 25 | October 4, 12, 18
• TIME: All sessions start at 8:00am
• LOCATION: In-person at various locations and online via Webex.
• COST: $85 per in-person session | $45 per online session
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The 2023 Department of Labor and Industry (DLI), Construction Codes and Licensing Division's (CCLD), Fall Seminar will focus on IBC townhouses and legislative and rulemaking updates. Each session includes seven hours of continuing education credit for building officials.
The legislative and rulemaking updates will provide the latest information about the Technical Advisory Groups' rulemaking process and other recent legislative changes including code requirements for adult-sized changing facilities, window cleaning safety, electric vehicle charging stations, updates to the Commercial Energy Code and more.
The IBC townhouses portion of the seminar will consist of code provisions that apply to constructing townhouses under the 2020 Minnesota State Building Code.
Commonly asked questions and answers for iMS, the new software platform for CCLD's Licensing unit, will also be discussed.
Contact Chad Payment by email or phone for more information. Register Now
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4th Annual Sunbelt Rentals Sporting Clays Shoot
Benefiting the Gary Sinise Foundation
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• DATE: Tuesday, September 19
• TIME: Registration - 11:30am | Shooting - 1:00pm | Dinner - 5:30pm
• LOCATION: Minnesota Horse & Hunt Club (Prior Lake, Minn.)
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Join Sunbelt Rentals for a day of fun and friendly competition as they fundraise on
behalf of their partnership with the Gary Sinise Foundation. Register as an individual,
a four-shooter team, a five-shooter team, or a six-shooter team by September 9, 2023. Registration includes shotgun shells, a t-shirt, and dinner. Download Flyer | Register Here
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Save on phone and tablet
repair with Batteries Plus!
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Through our partnership with National Purchasing Partners (NPP), MBEX members can save on the cost of phone and table repair through Batteries Plus.
More than just batteries, Batteries Plus offers a variety of device repair options, including:
• Screen repair
• Battery replacement
• Back glass repair
• Front-& rear-facing camera repair
• Charge port repair & cleaning
• Speaker & headphone jack repair
• Button repair
MBEX Members also receive:
• Up to 73% off regular retail pricing on approximately 200 core items
• Up to 40% off retail pricing on 60,000+ batteries, light bulbs, accessories and more
• Approximately 7% savings on repair services
Sign up with NPP for free to activate this offer and many more. Enroll your business here.
NPP is a member benefit provider of MBEX, offering savings on products and services that businesses and employees use everyday.
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PROJECT INFORMATION + UPDATES | |
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• Total Projects Received at MBEX from 8/7/2023 - 8/11/2023: 84
• Total Project Leads Reported on at MBEX from 8/7/2023 - 8/11/2023: 2
• Total Active Projects Received/Reported on at MBEX as of 8/15/2023: 327
• Total Projects in the Online Plan Room as of 8/15/2023: 3,320
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Click the button above to view the most recent project data from 8/9/2023-8/15/2023.
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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UPCOMING MBEX EVENTS
• August 23 - Golf North
• September 4 - Labor Day - MBEX Closed
• September 6 - Sporting Clays North
• September 11 & 13 - Documents
Reading Class (online) with UChapter2
• October 10 - Fall Social & POWER
Self-Care Health Fair
• October 16-20 - Construction Inclusion Week
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Connect with the Builders Exchange: | |
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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, Wes Morden & Shauna Baska, Project Reporters
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