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Volume 35 - 2023 | Wednesday, August 30, 2023 | www.mbex.org | |
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Monday is Labor Day, our tribute to the unsung heroes of the workforce, the ones who construct our nation and keep the wheels of progress turning.
Why do we celebrate? Labor Day is a nod to the labor movement's victory for reasonable hours, and is a shout-out to the sweat and tears laborers put into building our stretching highways, towering skyscrapers, and beloved coffee shops and multi-family units. It's a day when we recognize the dignity of labor, tip our hats to economic achievements, and acknowledge summer days will soon turn into cooler fall ones.
Labor Day is always celebrated on the first Monday of September, so this coming Monday, ditch the alarm clock and sleep in. MBEX will also be toasting the labor force; our office will be closed on September 4th and returning to regular business hours on Tuesday, September 5.
Happy Labor Day!
IN THIS WEEK'S ISSUE:
• Register Today: Fall Social + Self-Care Health Fair on October 10
• Two Steps Ahead, One Back: Material costs level, but labor costs increase
• Check Your Mailbox: The inaugural MBEX Blueprint issue is here
• Build America, Buy America: Final guideline rulings have been issued
• Keep The Grounds: Coffee grounds added can make concrete 30% stronger, and five more construction headlines
• Member Benefit: Save on fleet fueling with Impac Fleet
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REGISTER NOW: Fall Social + Self-Care Health Fair
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Join MBEX for a vibrant afternoon of connection and wellness education at the annual MBEX Fall Social and first-ever POWER Self-Care Health Fair on Tuesday, October 10 at Pinstripes Edina Bowling and Bocce.
This event is open to both MBEX members and non-members alike to gather with fellow professionals in the construction and building industry for an enriching experience that combines networking and rejuvenation.
Why should you attend?
🤝 Networking
Connect with industry peers, fellow builders, contractors, architects, and suppliers in a relaxed and welcoming environment. Share insights, discuss upcoming projects, and build valuable relationships that go beyond business.
🌱 Self-Care Health Fair
Explore a variety of wellness stations designed to provide you with practical tools for maintaining a healthy work-life balance. From stress reduction techniques to ergonomic best practices, you'll find valuable resources to enhance your overall health.
🎓 2023-2024 Scholarship Recipients
Recognize and celebrate this year's MBEX / TBG Construction Scholarship awardees, meet them, and help in their professional network development.
🎁 Raffles + Door Prizes
Participate in our exciting 50/50 and SuperCash raffles by purchasing your tickets at the event! We'll also be giving away several major door prizes, including a special giveaway for an individual who visits all our Health Fair vendors. You never know, you could walk away with something that contributes to your continued self-care journey.
🍻 Food Stations + Refreshments
Savor delicious bites while you mingle and unwind, and indulge in seasonal treats and beverages to celebrate the fall season.
Early Bird tickets are available for MBEX members now through September 15 at $45 per person; non-member tickets are $65 per person. Sponsorship opportunities are also available.
We look forward to seeing you there! Register Here
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Report Shows Construction Material Prices Moderating,
But Labor Costs Up
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Nonresidential construction material prices are moderating in Minnesota and beyond in the post-pandemic world, but that good news is tempered in part by increasing labor costs, according to a new report from Mortenson Construction.
In Minneapolis, non-residential construction prices were up 1.52% from the first quarter to the second quarter. That's slightly lower than Chicago (+1.9%) and Denver (+1.87%), but higher than Milwaukee (+0.96%) and Portland (-0.15%). Read More
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First Issue of MBEX Blueprint Out Now!
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We have very exciting news; our very first issue of the MBEX Blueprint magazine is here!
With our partner, Innovative Publishing, it's been a rollercoaster of creativity, collaboration, and coffee (lots of it), and we are stoked to share the result with you. This inaugural edition dives headfirst into our world of commercial construction, member news, and then some, packed with articles that are as insightful as they are entertaining. Inside this issue, we have the latest topics from construction sustainability trends to meeting each of our directors on the MBEX Board. The MBEX Blueprint isn't just a magazine; it's our members front-row ticket to the construction scene. Flip through the pages, and bookmark your favorites.
Major kudos goes out to our incredible contributors – this publication wouldn't be what it is without your knowledge and expertise.
This first issue can be enjoyed both in print and digitally. A printed copy was mailed to all members; if you didn't receive yours or would like to request more copies, please email Ashlee.
Cheers to the inaugural MBEX Blueprint – let the construction adventures begin!
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Final 'Build America, Buy America' Guidelines | |
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The White House issued final guidance on its Build America, Buy America (BABA) rules, which aim to boost the amount of domestically manufactured goods, including steel, iron and other construction materials, used on federal infrastructure projects.
BABA is part of the $1.2 trillion Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act passed in 2021, but applied to all federally funded infrastructure projects. The Office of Management and Budget issued proposed draft guidance in February and received nearly 2,000 public comments since then.
The final guidance defines relevant construction materials and local manufacturing process standards for each material, including non-ferrous metals, plastic and polymer-based products (polyvinylchloride, composite building materials, polymers used in fiber-optic cables), glass (including optic glass and optical fiber), fiber-optic cable (including drop cable), lumber, engineered wood, and drywall. Read More
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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)
Enrolling now! 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
REGISTER NOW: 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. Register Here
October 16-20 - Construction Inclusion Week 2023
Construction Inclusion Week is the first effort to harness the collective power of general contractors, specialty contractors, subcontractors, and suppliers. Initially launched in 2021 as an industry-wide awareness initiative, Construction Inclusion Week aims to build awareness of the need to improve diversity and inclusion in the construction industry by providing content and resources. Learn More
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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🩺 How AI Can Relieve Construction's Pain Points
AI is making significant strides in construction --- a field known for its skepticism towards abstract technological solutions. For an industry generally slow to adapt to digital advancements, the swift implementation of AI-driven tools and solutions is a strong testament to the tangible benefits these technologies offer. When considering where AI-driven technologies might make an immediate (and significant) impact, a review of construction's most common pain points reveals promising applications. Construction security, for instance, has historically posed an enormous challenge --- especially for large projects, and those located in remote and rural areas. (Fast Company)
♻️ Ultra-Sustainable Building Technologies are Hitting the Mainstream
Highly sustainable buildings have been popping up around the U.S. and the world over the past decade. But now a confluence of new technologies and improving economics, as well as climate-change-inspired government regulation, are leading the next wave in big construction: ultra-sustainable buildings. This new generation of green buildings is hitting environmental goals that would have seemed inconceivable just ten years ago --- in some cases not just avoiding all harm to the environment, but actually improving it, leading the communities and cities around these buildings down greener paths. (Newsweek)
👷 Changes in the New Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification
On August 1, 2023, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIA) released a revised version of the Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, which may be used now but must be used for all new hires and rehires starting November 1, 2023. The new form is a major change from the last iteration in that it has returned to a one-page version, which had been used from 1986 until 2013. This one-page version, however, has two Supplements, A and B. Thus, the new Form I-9 is "one-page plus". (Littler)
📝 Twin Cities HVAC Company Turns to Teaching Amid Worker Shortage
For Twin Cities cooling and heating company Genz-Ryan, prepping for last week's heatwave began months ago in a newly constructed classroom in its Burnsville headquarters. Earlier this year, the company launched a 12-week in-house training academy aimed at recruiting and retaining technicians amid an industry-wide skilled worker shortage. More than half of the 26 Genz-Ryan workers who took calls last week are graduates of the program. (Axios Twin Cities)
☕ Scientists Use Coffee Waste to Make Concrete 30% Stronger
Engineers at RMIT in Australia have conceived a new technique that makes concrete 30% stronger simply by adding biochar made out of used coffee grounds. The process also finds a useful application for the 10 billion kilograms of spent coffee that is generated annually and sorted as waste, according to a press release by the institution published on August 23, 2023. (Interesting Engineering)
🌉 LOCAL HEADLINE
Govs. Walz and Evers Asking for $1 Billion for a New Blatnik Bridge
The Minnesota Department of Transportation and Wisconsin Department of Transportation are seeking $1 billion in federal funding to rebuild the Blatnik Bridge --- the more than 60-year-old primary connector between Duluth and Superior, Wisc., that is nearing the end of its lifespan. Both states have committed $400 million toward the project. The project did not receive a similar federal grant last year --- one that was specific to bridge investments and administered through the Federal Highway Administration, according to MnDOT spokeswoman Pippi Mayfield. The recent application is for a single-opportunity multimodal projects discretionary grant through the Department of Transportation. (StarTribune)
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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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Q3 Construction Economic Update and Forecast
Presented by Construction Executive
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• DATE: Wednesday, September 27
• TIME: 2:00pm ET / 1:00pm CST
• LOCATION: Online
• PRESENTER: Anirban Basu, Chief Economist for Associated Builders and Contractors
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Anirban Basu will offer insights into the recent performance of the U.S. economy as well as short- and longer-term outlooks designed specifically for commercial contractors to use for their strategic planning.
Basu covers topics such as labor-force participation, materials prices, inflation and the latest on the risk of recession, with a focus on key metrics that matter most to commercial and industrial contractors.
Sign up for this free 60-minute presentation followed by 30-minutes of live Q & A. You may submit questions in advance while registering for this webinar. Register Here
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MCC Big Shoot Sporting Clays Event
A Fundraiser for the MCC Scholarship Program
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• DATE: Thursday, September 28
• TIME: Shotgun start at 2:00pm, Dinner & Prizes at 5:30pm
• LOCATION: Minnesota Horse & Hunt Club
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Join the Minnesota Concrete Council (MCC) for their 16th Annual Big Shoot Sporting Clays Event and Scholarship Fundraiser. All net proceeds from this event benefit the MCC Scholarship Fund.
Held every fall, this event is becoming increasingly popular and provides an excellent opportunity for members to engage their customers and guests in a fun, relaxed and casual setting. Learn More + Register Here
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The nation's largest independent fleet fuel card provider. | |
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Impac Fleet is accepted at 98.9% of fueling stations nationwide. Manage expenses for commercial and government fleets of all sizes, improve purchasing strategies and streamline expense reporting with online management tools and their Universal Fuel Card.
MBEX members who are also NPP members receive:
• Waived start-up & training costs
• Waived fee for replacement card
• $12.50 monthly account fee waived with $5K monthly fuel spend
• Bulk fueling
Impac also allows fleet managers to monitor purchases, access detailed reports and control fleet cards by driver, vehicle or region. Impac Fleet holds multiple minority certifications and may also be DBE certified in your state.
Sign up with NPP for free to activate this offer and many more. Enroll your business | Learn more about Impac Fleet
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 8/21/2023 - 8/25/2023: 84
• Total Project Leads Reported on at MBEX from 8/21/2023 - 8/25/2023: 5
• Total Active Projects Received/Reported on at MBEX as of 8/29/2023: 300
• Total Projects in the Online Plan Room as of 8/29/2023: 3,483
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Click the button above to view the most recent project data from 8/23/2023-8/29/2023.
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, Wes Morden & 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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