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Five Things To Do / Know This Week:
1.) Interested in our upcoming Bluebeam Revu courses? Plan to attend UChapter2's Introduction to Bluebeam Courses with instructor Troy DeGroot on February 20 to learn more about each session, their learning objectives, and to determine which course(s) are right for your experience level.
2.) Have a project you're particularly proud of from the last 12 months? Share it with us for a chance to see it featured inside the 2024 Buyers Guide & Membership Directory.
3.) The U.S. Department of Labor's final ruling and revised guidance for determining independent contractor status under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) goes into effect on March 11, 2024. Make sure you know the six factors outlined in the rule that determines whether someone is an independent contractor or an employee.
4.) As public money starts to flow into Minnesota, now is the time to establish your presence in our next issue of the MBEX Blueprint. Your business will be front and center before general contractors, trade contractors, architects, and government and school administrators (key decision-makers statewide). Contact Innovative Publishing by January 31st to place your ad.
5.) Test Your Knowledge:
The largest dam removal in U.S. history officially got underway the second week of January with the lowering of dammed reservoirs. Where is this dam removal project located?
A.) The Missouri River in central North Dakota
B.) The Clearwater River in Idaho
C.) The Colorado River in northern Arizona
D.) The Klamath River along the California-Oregon border
See the Answer
We rarely get lost because we always follow the blueprint to a T.
IN BRIEF:
• Bluebeam Revu: Seven new courses are now open for enrollment
• $982 Million: Gov. Tim Walz proposes his 2024 Infrastructure Plan
• Tips & Tricks: Troubleshooting a common Online Plan Room login issue
• Inching Upward: Construction backlog indicator is up in December
• Federal Funding for the Blatnik Bridge, Prefab Electrical Installations, and Game-Changing Hempcrete: Five construction headlines, and a $2.7-million deal bringing a new hotel to Duluth
• Member Benefits: Still time for new year NPP Member savings
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Bluebeam Revu Courses Now Open for Enrollment | |
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We are thrilled to share our upcoming Bluebeam Revu courses are now open for enrollment, offered through our partnership with UChapter2.
What is Bluebeam Revu?
It's a powerful software tool tailored specifically for the AEC industry that streamlines work flows, enhances collaboration, and revolutionizes the way teams manage projects. Bluebeam Revu is one of the most popular options available to construction professionals and has quickly grown to over 3-million users worldwide.
With Bluebeam, You Can:
Effortlessly Markup PDFs. Say good-bye to paper plans and hello to digital convenience. Bluebeam Revu allows you to mark up and edit PDF documents with ease, making collaboration more efficient than ever before.
Improve Communication. Streamline communication between project stakeholders, easily sharing marked-up PDFs, tracking changes, and keeping everyone on the same page.
Enhance Efficiency. Save time and reduce errors by using Bluebeam's measurement and estimation tools, allowing you to quickly calculate areas, volumes and takeoffs, helping complete projects more accurately and efficiently.
Go Mobile. Bluebeam Revu is available on tablets and mobile devices, allowing you and your team to access project data and collaborate on the go.
Our Course Offerings Include:
• March 5 - Bluebeam 1: Baseline Basics
• March 6 - Bluebeam 2: Material Takeoffs & Estimates (Basic)*
• March 7 - Bluebeam 3: Material Takeoffs & Estimates (Advanced)**
• March 8 - Bluebeam 4: Document Management & Best Practices*
• March 12 - Bluebeam 5: Collecting Field Data*
• March 13 - Bluebeam 6: Administrative Professionals
• March 14 - Bluebeam 7: Civil Workflows
Not sure where to start or what courses are right for you? Join instructor Troy DeGroot for his free Introduction to Bluebeam Courses webinar on February 20 to ask questions and take a deeper look at each course's learning objectives.
If you're ready to enroll, head over to our website to register.
Don't miss out on this incredible opportunity to harness the power of Bluebeam Revu.
*Bluebeam 1: Baseline Basics is a required pre-requisite for this course.
** Bluebeam 1: Baseline Basics and Bluebeam 2: Material Takeoffs & Estimates (Basic) are required pre-requisites for this course.
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Minnesota Governor Proposes $982M Infrastructure Plan | |
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Minnesota Governor Tim Walz proposed $982-million of project funding as part of the administration's 2024 Infrastructure Plan that will be presented to the state legislature at the next session.
The governor's recommendations include improvements to water infrastructure, housing, public safety and the maintenance and repair of state buildings and facilities, such as:
• $166.5 million - Rural road safety, regionally significant and trunk highway improvement projects, as well as grants to federally recognize Native American tribes;
• $160 million - Replacement and rehabilitation of statewide local bridges, as well as professional services, maintenance, rehabilitation, stabilization or relocation of salvageable parts from historic bridges;
• $128 million - Maintenance, repair and construction for the state's Corrections assets;
• $119 million - For grants and low-interest loans for lead water pipe replacement and other clean water projects;
• $103 million - Preservation would focus on health, safety, accessibility, mechanical, utility infrastructure and building envelope systems at University of Minnesota campuses;
• $97 million - Housing construction and other related initiatives;
• $81.8 million - Exterior updates, HVAC and safety features at Minnesota higher education facilities;
• $71.6 million - Buildings, roads, trails, bridges and other Department of Natural Resources infrastructure;
• $48 million - Land acquisition, design, construction and equipment for a new Bureau of Criminal Apprehension regional office and laboratory in Mankato;
• $38.7 million - Phase III design and construction for security improvements and upgrades at the Capitol Complex in St. Paul, including installation of bollards and projectile-resistant glass, new lighting, security kiosks, window well security devices and driveway intrusion protection; and
• $37 million - Design, environmental work, acquisition of right-of-way, engineering and construction along regional busway corridors.
In December 2022, Minnesota lawmakers approved $500-million to upgrade and modernize the State Office Building in St. Paul. The building is 91 years old and requires a complete overhaul.
When the project is complete, the eight-level building will increase in size by 160,000-square-feet, with the state's House of Representatives occupying most of the total space --- more than 126,000-square-feet.
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TIPS & TRICKS: Clear that Cookie Cache | |
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Have you ever tried logging in to the Online Plan Room only to be shown an error message even though *you know* you're entering the correct username and password?
This happens from time to time for our members, and fortunately, the fix is a simple one: clear your internet browser's cache and cookies.
What are cookies when it comes to the internet?
Cookies are one type of data your browser saves on your computer or device when you visit a website. Cookies are small text files that store information about your browsing activity, such as your login details, preferences, and history. Cookies help the website recognize you and customize your experience, such as showing you relevant ads, remembering your language settings, and keeping you logged in.
One side effect of cookies is that they can slow down your browser, take up storage space, and compromise your privacy. This can happen when your cache and/or cookies become outdated, corrupted, or overloaded, or when they contain sensitive or personal information that can be accessed by third parties or hackers.
How can I clear my cache and cookies?
The process of clearing your browser cache and cookies may differ slightly depending on the browser you use, such as Chrome (recommended by MBEX), Firefox, Safari, or Edge. Generally, the steps are similar.
To clear your cache and cookies on a Windows PC:
1.) Open your browser and click the menu icon (typically three dots or lines) in the top right corner.
2.) Select "Settings" or "Options" from the drop-down menu, then find the section labeled "Privacy and Security" or "History".
3.) Click on "Clear Browsing Data," "Clear History," or "Manage Data" and choose the desired time range like "Last Hour," "Last Day," "Last Week," or "All Time."
4.) Finally, check the boxes for "Cached Images and Files" and "Cookies and Other Site Data" before clicking "Clear Data," "Clear Now," or "Delete."
Learn more about caches and browser cookies here.
Try this quick fix the next time you run into log-in troubles (especially if you're 100% certain you're using the correct login information).
If you continue to run into issues, please give us a call so we can help troubleshoot the problem: (612) 381-2620.
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Construction Backlog Indicator Inches Higher in December | |
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Associated Builders and Contractors reported on January 16, 2024, that its Construction Backlog Indicator increased to 8.6 months in December from 8.5 months in November, according to an ABC member survey conducted December 20, 2023 - January 4, 2024.
The reading is down 0.6 months from December 2022.
The South, which remains the region with the lengthiest backlog, posted the largest monthly increase in December. Only the West, which historically reports the lowest backlog of any region, experienced a monthly decline.
ABC's Construction Confidence Index readings for sales, profit margins and staffing levels increased in December. All three readings remain above the threshold of 50, indicating expectations for growth over the next six months.
"Collectively, contractors experienced an uptick in optimism during the holiday season," said ABC Chief Economist Anirban Basu.
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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.
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. Register Here
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 3-9 - Women in Construction Week
Women in Construction (WIC) Week celebrates and promotes the role of women throughout the construction industry. Learn More
March 6 & 7 - MBEX Member Road Show
MBEX is headed north to Duluth and the Iron Range 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. Register Here
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INFASTRUCTURE
🌉 Minnesota, Wisconsin get $1B in Federal Funding for Aging Blatnik Bridge
Wisconsin and Minnesota will receive more than $1.05-billion to replace the John A. Blatnik Bridge between Duluth and Superior, according to an announcement from U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin. MnDOT and WisDOT are leading an effort to replace the bridge's aging superstructure, with hopes to start construction in 2027. In December, governors of both states requested funding from federal transportation officials to keep the flow of goods going between Superior, Wis. and Duluth, Minn. (The Daily Reporter)
CODES + STANDARDS: ELECTRICAL
⚡ Approvals for Prefab Electrical Installations: Authorities Having Jurisdiction Play Critical Roles
Prefabrication is becoming more popular for electrical contractors as an effective way to improve quality control and worker safety while remaining competitive in electrical construction. Section 110.2 addresses approvals generally and applies to equipment and systems covered by the National Electrical Code (NEC). From a practical perspective, one could surmise that on-site and remote prefabrication is already covered in the approval requirements. This is a valid assumption. However, challenges and inconsistencies do exist, as the term "prefabrication" is not yet mentioned in the NEC. (Electrical Contractor)
SUSTAINABILITY
🌱 Minn. Tribe Builds First-of-Its-Kind Manufacturing Facility for Game-Changing Building Materials
Grist reported that the Lower Sioux, who are part of the Mdewakanton Band of Dakota, are building a 20,000-square-foot campus (expected to be completed in April) that will help the tribe regain some of its sovereignty and facilitate the construction of houses from hempcrete, a sustainable material made from lime, water, and hemp. The facility will be the only one stateside involved in the growth of the hemp, the production of the hempcrete, and the building of the houses. Unlike the harvesting or production of other building materials like wood or concrete --- the latter of which is responsible for 8% of carbon pollution globally --- the cultivation of hemp is eco-friendly. (Yahoo! Tech)
ROAD, CONCRETE + ASPHALT EQUIPMENT
🚧 'World's First' Autonomous Pothole Repair System Unveiled
Following successful proof of concept testing, the Autonomous Road Repairs System (ARRES), is now being prepared to undertake real-world testing on the roads of Hertfordshire in Southern England. Officially called ARRES PREVENT, the machine will harness a combination of AI and advanced imaging technology to identify and characterize cracks and potholes on road surfaces. Once detected, it autonomously fills the cracks to prevent surface water ingress and subsequently the formation of potholes. (Construction Briefing)
2024 FORECAST
🧰 Large Renovation Projects will be Abundant in 2024
In past years, it was likely more difficult to categorize renovation and repair projects as highly attractive. That may not be the case anymore. Public entities throughout the U.S. are designing extremely large renovation projects, and without a doubt, these upcoming projects will be attractive to firms of all types and sizes. Repair and maintenance costs related to public assets and government facilities represent a substantial proportion of government spending. A decade ago, government officials spent 55% of all infrastructure funding on maintenance and repair. Now, however, more than 60% of the total funding is spent on repairs, renovation, and upkeep. That represents billions of dollars each year that will be spent on large projects such as the ones described in this column. (Construction Citizen)
🦺 PROJECT OF THE WEEK
Duluth Hotel Development Site Sold in $2.7M Deal
In a deal worth more than $2.7-million, Kinseth Hospitality Cos. has sold land in Duluth to D & D Real Estate Holdings, according to public documents. According to the documents from the Duluth Planning Commission, the land is for a four-story, 100-room TownPlace Suites by Marriott on Sundby Road north of West Page Street. (Finance & Commerce)
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This elevation shows a planned four-story, 100-room TownPlace
Suites by Marriott on Sundby Road north of West Page Street in Duluth.
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Making Money - 304 Maximizing Profit
Presented by MnDOT's DBE Business Academy
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DATE: Saturday, January 27
TIME: 8:30am - 12:30pm
LOCATION: IMO Consulting Group (Minnetonka, Minn.)
COST: Free!
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Evaluate your business's financial position and generate projections. Gain an understanding of buying vs. leasing, balance sheets and how to conduct a financial statement analysis. Learn how financial statements are created. Review what makes up a general ledger, accounts receivable, accounts payable, fixed assets, job costing, tax preparation and income statements.
This class also presents different accounting methods including cash accounting, accrual accounting and percentage of completion contracts.
Questions: sbaker@imoconsulting.com
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Legal Issues in Concrete Construction
Presented by Minnesota Concrete Council
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DATE: Thursday, February 8
TIME: 7:30am - Networking & Breakfast; 8:30am - Presentation
LOCATION: Midland Hills County Club (Roseville, Minn.)
COST: $30 (early bird), $40 after January 24
PRESENTER: Jeffrey W. Coleman, Attorney at Law, Coleman & Erickson LLC
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Like other high-stakes industries, concrete construction invites a fair share of litigation.
In this presentation, Mr. Coleman, author of Legal Issues in Concrete Construction, will discuss specific construction and legal topics such as cracking, load tickets, substantial performance; the Spearin doctrine; responsibility for mix designs, impossibility of performance, and many more.
The presentation will provide interpretations of the courts' findings and contrast the decisions with other results where possible.
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Benefits of the Week: Pitney Bowes, UniFirst, + Verizon deals | |
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It's not too late to kick off 2024 with NPP Member benefits!
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Save up to 20% off mailing and shipping solutions that deliver convenience, productivity and control when you send or receive. Simplify Sending | |
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Receive up to 60% off rental and lease rates from UniFirst uniform and facility services. Make a great first impression. Look Sharper | |
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Eligible NPP business members can pass along this Verizon employee discount to their team members, saving up to 18% off Verizon monthly access fees. See the Discount | |
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More than 300,000 businesses and employees nationwide use NPP Member benefits to lower the cost of doing business. Join via MBEX today!
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NPP (National Purchasing Partners) is a member benefit provider of the Minnesota Builders Exchange (MBEX), offering savings on products and services that businesses and employees use every day.
Start saving by enrolling your business with NPP for free to activate this offer (and others like it) here: https://mynpp.com/association/mbex/. Restrictions many apply.
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PROJECT INFORMATION + UPDATES | |
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• Total Projects Received at MBEX from 1/15/2024 - 1/19/2024: 102
• Total Projects Leads Reported on at MBEX from 1/15/2024 - 1/19/2024: 9
• Total Active Projects Received/Reported on at MBEX as of 1/23/2024: 453
• Total Projects in the Online Plan Room as of 1/23/2024: 394
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Click the button above to view the most recent project data from 1/17/2023-1/23/2024.
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
• 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 5 - Bluebeam 1: Baseline Basics
• March 6 - Bluebeam 2: Material Takeoffs & Estimates (Basic)
• March 6 & 7 - Member Road Show: Duluth and the Iron Range
• March 7 - Bluebeam 3: Material Takeoffs & Estimates (Advanced)
• March 8 - Bluebeam 4: Document Management & Best Practices
• March 20 & 21 - Reading Construction Documents online course with UChapter2
• March 21 - Online Plan Room Demo
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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, Bituminous Roadways; 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; Don O'Connor - Duluth Branch Manager; Shauna Baska, Peggy Esboldt, Janet Margheim, Michelle Siegel & Kay 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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