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Five Things To Do / Know This Week:
1.) Over the weekend and early Monday morning, MBEX's servers were down, causing the nightly update email to not be sent to members on Monday as well as later than usual on Tuesday. Our team is working to fully resolve the issue as soon as possible. As a reminder, users can always find the same information by adjusting the date ranges for both the blue (all projects) and red (project filter search results) sections via the Deskpad.
2.) We're hosting another live demo of the Online Plan Room on Thursday, January 18.
3.) Follow us on LinkedIn, where we share MBEX updates, event announcements, and the industry news our members need to know daily.
4.) Submit your company news for inclusion in our next issue of the MBEX Blueprint. New hires, promotions, business expansions, anniversaries...we want to celebrate your successes!
5.) Test Your Knowledge:
According to Dodge's 2020 Prefabrication and Modular Construction report, which building type is expected to benefit the most from modular construction and prefabrication over the next three years?
A.) Schools K-12
B.) Healthcare Facilities
C.) Commercial Warehouses
D.) Hotels and Motels
See the Answer
Taking up meditation in the new year to find our inner peace (of wood).
IN BRIEF:
• Live with MBEX: Sign up for our next Online Plan Room demo on 1/18
• More Jobs: Construction adds more jobs for the ninth straight month
• Showcase Your Business: Place an ad in the second issue of the MBEX Blueprint
• On The Docket: Big projects to watch in 2024 across Minnesota
• Minority Notice: ECI seeks qualified MCUB vendors
• Winning / Losing Sectors in 2024, OSHA's Shift to Safety Helmets, and Buildings that Redefined Architecture: Five construction headlines, and a proposed 10,000-square-foot mixed-use project in Grand Marais
• Member Benefits: Fleet fueling savings with Circle K Pro
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Online Plan Room Demo with MBEX Staff | |
From the Deskpad to setting up filters, to project information to bidders lists, this one-hour session is a great introduction to our Online Plan Room. | |
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• DATE: Thursday, January 18
• TIME: 9:00am - 10:00am
• LOCATION: Online via Zoom
• TICKETS: Free!
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This live walk-through of our digital platform offers an opportunity to learn the basics, refresh yourself on its offered tools, or to explore if our plan room would be beneficial for your business.
Time is saved for Q & A following the demo.
Sign up by 12:30pm the day before (Wednesday, January 17) to receive Zoom link and other information registrants may need.
MBEX's Online Plan Room is a modern and innovative digital platform designed to bring its members the latest in construction project news and bidding opportunities in Minnesota as well as Iowa, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin.
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17,000 More Jobs in December for Ninth Straight Monthly Gain | |
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Construction industry employment continues its upturn, with an increase of 17,000 jobs in December, recording increases in nearly all sectors, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports.
The BLS' latest monthly national employment report released on January 5, 2024, shows gains in nearly all construction sectors, with the exception of the heavy civil construction, which lost 500 jobs.
For the 12 months ending December 31, 2023, total construction employment rose by 197,000, or 2.5%. December's results represented construction's ninth consecutive monthly jobs increase. BLS also reports that construction's jobless rate declined to 4.4% in December, from November's 4.8%. The rate also was flat compared with the year-earlier level.
Nonresidential building construction recorded the strongest December jobs results among the industry's segments.
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See Your Business in the Next MBEX Blueprint
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In case you missed it, we launched a new magazine in 2023: the MBEX Blueprint. It's a vital tool for our membership, and it reaches an exclusive audience of general contractors, trade contractors, architects, and government and school administrators. As public money flows into Minnesota, now is the time to reach those decision-makers by establishing your presence in our upcoming issue!
The deadline for MBEX Blueprint magazine space reservation has been extended to January 31.
To inquire about advertising in the next issue (in print and/or digitally), contact Innovative Publishing at (844) 423-7272 or advertise@innovativepublishing.com. Their team can assist with ad placements and design, creating an Innovative solution for you.
Thank you for your continued support of the Minnesota Builders Exchange!
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Big Projects to Watch in 2024 | |
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The coming year could be eventful for at least some construction businesses in Minnesota.
State and federal funding is advancing housing projects, infrastructure work, and other construction in the metro area and beyond. In December, Minnesota Housing announced nearly $350-million worth of funding for affordable housing statewide.
Projects to watch in 2024 include ongoing work on sites such as the former Hillcrest Golf Course and the old Ford Motor Co. plant, both of which are in St. Paul. But opportunities also abound in places like Rochester, which is expected to see major investments in the Mayo Clinic campus area.
The following is a snapshot of those and other projects, with a few words on what to expect in the coming year.
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Did you know...a valuable benefit of membership with MBEX automatically makes every employee of a member company a member, meaning you are welcome to attend any and all MBEX events.
January 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
February 15 - 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. Registration Not Yet Open
February 20 - Introduction to Upcoming Bluebeam Courses
When it comes to the AEC industry, Bluebeam Revu is one of the most popular and quickly growing to over 3-million users worldwide. With functionality for Design Review, Estimating, Collecting Field Data, and others, Bluebeam is not your average PDF software. We have partnered with Troy DeGroot with UChapter 2 to provide the best quality Bluebeam training in the industry. Don't miss this opportunity to see an introduction to each upcoming course and learning objectives. Get your questions answered to assure you're in the appropriate courses for your skillset and workflow. Register Here
February 27-29 - MBEX Member Road Show
MBEX is headed to Mankato, St. Cloud and Fargo to meet and mingle with members in a casual setting over apps and drinks. More details coming soon!
March 6 & 7 - MBEX Member Road Show
MBEX is headed north to Duluth and Hibbing to meet and mingle with members in a casual setting over apps and drinks. More details coming soon!
March 20 & 21 - Reading Construction Documents
Designed to quickly familiarize students with the basics of reading and understanding construction documents, this 2-part online program taught by Troy DeGroot with UChapter2 is perfect for: apprentices, entry-level tradespersons, project coordinators, assistant project managers, new project managers, estimators, specialty sales representatives, entry-level architectural or engineering designers, or anyone in career transition looking for a refresher. Registration Not Yet Open
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Engineering & Construction Innovations Inc (ECI) is seeking qualified MCUB subcontractors, suppliers and vendors for the following project:
• Metropolitan Council Environmental Services' Seneca Pipe and Site Restoration
Bids for this project must be submitted to ECI by January 15 at 3:00pm. View Full Notice
Please send quotes to Ron Sweep via email or via facsimile to (651) 298-9113.
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Engineering & Construction Innovations Inc
7002 6th Street North
Oakdale, Minn., 55128
PH: (651) 298-9111
An Equal Opportunity Employer
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2024 OUTLOOK
📊 Four Charts Break Down Winning, Losing Sectors in 2024
Among many challenges, the rising cost of materials and labor hampered construction activity in 2023. Economists --- worried about rampant inflation --- even labeled some building sectors as "recessionary". In response, the Federal Reserve raised its benchmark interest rate four times. That affected many projects across the country over the past 12 months, especially on privately led developments. As the new year begins, it's evident that certain types of construction will enjoy a surge in activity throughout 2024. On the flip side, some sectors continue to grapple with challenges that are likely to persist over the next 12 months. (Construction Dive)
JOBSITE SAFETY
⛑️ The Shift in Safety Standards: Transitioning from Hard Hats to Safety Helmets
In 2023, the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) initiated a significant update in workplace safety standards, transitioning from traditional hard hats to advanced safety helmets. This change marks a crucial step in enhancing head protection for employees across various sectors, including construction, oil and gas, and electrical work. These helmets, crafted from a mix of materials such as lightweight composites, fiberglass, and advanced thermoplastics, offer superior impact resistance and comfort compared to traditional hard hats. (Construction Today)
ARCHITECTURE + DESIGN
🏗️ The Buildings that Redefined Architecture This Year
In many ways, 2023 was a year of reactive design. Architecture continued to reckon with the aftermath of the pandemic. There were offices being converted into housing. There were tech companies opting to reuse old buildings instead of building anew. There were even fast-food restaurants redesigned to cope with the new reality of online ordering. Architects have been put in the position of trying to find ways for slow-moving building projects to react to fast-changing demands. But architects also made proactive design moves in 2023 to chart a new course for the built environment. When it comes to the broader trends that are positively reshaping the field, a few projects in particular stand out. (Fast Company)
CONSTRUCTION TECHNOLOGY
📲 The Five Digital Technologies That Made a Splash in 2023
From the clever use of existing technology to the cutting edge of hard science, here are five digital technologies that caught the attention of many construction professionals in 2023. It's not all robots and AI, either. (BIM Plus - For Digital Construction Professionals)
LABOR + WORKFORCE
🤝 24 Recruiting and Retention Tactics for 2024
Here are 24 simple ways to find, hire and retain the staff you need to take your business to the next level in the new year. Let's get to it. (Contractor Magazine)
🦺 PROJECT OF THE WEEK
Grand Marais Weighs Waterfront Development at Scene of 2020 Fire
A hotel developer is planning a new 10,000-square-foot mixed-use project in Grand Marais, where a fire destroyed several businesses on the city's waterfront nearly four years ago. The Grand Marais Planning Commission unanimously approved a conditional use permit for Joel St. John, who also own the boutique Mayhew Inn in downtown Grand Marais. St. John wants to construct a three-story building that will host a restaurant, event space, shopping spaces, 10 lodging units and a rooftop patio with views of Lake Superior. (Minneapolis / St. Paul Business Journal)
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Rendering of the proposed 10,000-square-foot building to host a restaurant,
event space, shopping spaces, 10 lodging units and a rooftop patio.
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Excavations: Let's Keep Talking Until We Get It Right
Construction Seminar presented by MNOSHA Compliance
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DATE: Tuesday, January 16
TIME: 7:00am - 8:30am
LOCATION: In-person at the MnDOT Training and Conference Center (1900 W. County Road I, Shoreview, MN) or Online via Microsoft Teams
COST: Free!
PRESENTER: Lee Craig, MNOSHA Compliance supervisor
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Excavations can be dangerous, resulting in serious injuries to and fatalities of workers across the country. Minnesota OSHA (MNOSHA) is committed to continuing its efforts to ensure employers and employees throughout Minnesota take safety precautions when working in and or around excavations.
Attend this free MNOSHA Compliance Construction Seminar in-person or virtually for a discussion about the OSHA excavation standard and how to comply.
Fatality and serious injury statistics for federal-fiscal-year 2023 will also be discussed.
No registration is necessary for in-person attendance.
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Minnesota Construction Summit
Presented by the Associated General Contractors (AGC) of Minnesota
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DATE: Wed., January 17 & Thurs., January 18
TIME: 7:00am - 6:00pm (Wed), 7:30am - 1:00pm (Thurs)
LOCATION: St. Paul RiverCentre (175 Kellogg Blvd W)
COST: $325
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The 2024 Minnesota Construction Summit is the event of the year for the Minnesota construction industry.
Featuring inspirational keynote presentations, educational sessions on topics that impact real life in our industry, exhibitors with relevant and vital products and services, and fantastic networking opportunities, this is an industry event not to be missed.
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City of St. Paul 2024 Supplier Fair | |
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DATE: Wednesday, January 24
TIME: 10:00am-12:00pm
LOCATION: El Rio Vista Recreation Center (179 Roble St E)
COST: Free!
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The Supplier Fair is an opportunity for prospective vendors to learn about the City of St. Paul's contracting opportunities for the upcoming year, attend workshops, and network with subject-matter experts from the City of St. Paul, including the Public Works Department, Office of Technology and Community, the Parks and Recreation Department, Department of Safety and Inspections, St. Paul Regional Water Service, and RiverCentre.
Procurement representatives will be available to assist with CERT certification and registering as a supplier on stpaulbids.com.
The Supplier Fair is recommended for all prospective vendors, from large companies to individual professional service providers.
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Benefit of the Week: Circle K Pro | |
With Circle K Pro, MBEX members can save 30-cents per gallon of fuel for the first 90 days, and then earn 7-cents back on every gallon after the those first 90 days. | |
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• Always Convenient: Circle K Pro Partner is accepted at any one of their 6,000+ Circle K or Holiday locations, wherever you see one of their logos.
• Greater Savings: Save administrative time and eliminate paper receipts. Prevent unauthorized fuel purchases and easily track every gallon purchased by your drivers.
• More Control: Help prevent unwanted spending with pre-set controls and alerts. Your online account allows you to set these limits and flag any transactions outside of those set guidelines.
• Security: Know which driver is buying what, where, and when. A unique Driver ID is required with every purchase to add a level of security that helps protect against lost or stolen cards.
• Level III Data: Unlike standard credit cards, the Circle K Pro Partner Card captures Level III line-item data with every purchase, requiring your driver to input a driver ID and odometer mileage. This allows you to track fuel expenditures and better facilitate cost analysis for your vehicles.
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PROJECT INFORMATION + UPDATES | |
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• Total Projects Received at MBEX from 1/1/2024 - 1/5/2024: 91
• Total Projects Leads Reported on at MBEX from 1/1/2024 - 1/5/2024: 11
• Total Active Projects Received/Reported on at MBEX as of 1/9/2024: 137
• Total Projects in the Online Plan Room as of 1/9/2024: 360
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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 17 & 18 - 2024 Minnesota Construction Summit
• January 18 - Online Plan Room Demo
• February 15 - Online Plan Room Demo
• February 20 - Bluebeam Course Introduction with UChapter2
• February 27-29 - Member Road Show: Mankato, St. Cloud, and Fargo
• March 6 & 7 - Member Road Show: Duluth and Hibbing
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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 & 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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