October 9, 2026

AGC Member Fall Networking in Brainerd

AGC members gathered this week at Madden's on Gull Lake for some networking and fun! Click to view photos from the event.

Thanks once more to our event sponsors!

GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS NEWS

AGC of Minnesota Hosts Gubernatorial Discussions on Construction Industry Priorities

AGC of Minnesota was grateful to welcome Senator Amy Klobuchar and Speaker Lisa Demuth for conversations about the issues shaping Minnesota’s construction industry.

These discussions provided an opportunity to share industry perspectives, highlight the importance of a strong construction workforce and reliable infrastructure investment, and discuss the policy priorities that will impact the businesses building Minnesota’s future.

Early voting has begun in Minnesota, with the general election taking place on November 3. To view a sample ballot, find your polling place, register to vote and more, go to https://www.sos.mn.gov/elections-voting/

Speed Safety Camera Pilot Projects Commence

MnDOT is installing work zone speed safety cameras at two locations beginning this month, as part of a pilot project to evaluate the cameras as a work zone safety device.

The pilot project was supported by AGC during the 2025 legislative session. For more information, visit the website.

AGC Legislative Committee Announcements

The Legislative Committee will meet three times until the end of the year to discuss pre-and post-election analysis and develop policy and legislative agenda for the 2027 legislative session. AGC members are invited to participate. Email Laura Ziegler, Director of Government Affairs, for additional information. The Committee will meet every other week during legislative session. The MN Legislature convenes January 12, 2027.

October 22 (pre-election)

November 5 (post-election)

December 10 (Final Policy Recommendations)

MnDOT-AGC Joint Technical Committee Dates Set for Fall

Technical committees provide members with a biannual opportunity to communicate with MnDOT staff and fellow contractors on contractor issues, as well as hear project and program updates relevant to the subject area. These committees continue to foster AGC member partnerships with MnDOT and allow participants to network and share information. Each committee meets once in the fall and once in the spring in St. Paul.

Who can join?

Any AGC of Minnesota member can join these committees; however, priority for committee membership will be given to contractors.

How do I sign up?

Email Laura Ziegler and indicate which committee(s) you’d like to join.

What if I can’t join in person?

Call in/Zoom option is available for all committees.

Concrete Committee - October 19

Grading and Base Committee - October 22

Dates for the Bridge and Bituminous Committee Meetings are TBD.
The Alternative Procurement Committee met this summer.

LEGAL NEWS

ABA Regional Conference

The American Bar Association’s Forum on Construction Law takes place in Minneapolis on November 19. Topics include risk transfer, builders and professional liability insurance, CCIPs, indemnity, and bonds. More information can be found here.

AGC Form Contracts

AGC’s Contracts Committee is meeting soon. Email Mike if you have any suggestions, comments, or requests for changes.

Artificial Intelligence in Practice: Is Your AI Notetaker Helping You or Hurting You?

AI notetakers can save time, but they may also create legal headaches. From accidental disclosure of sensitive discussions to potential waiver of attorney-client privilege, these tools can turn routine meetings into litigation risks. Learn the key dangers and practical safeguards every business should consider before hitting “record.” Click here to read more.

Leon P. Wells is a shareholder of the Fabyanske Westra Hart & Thomson's Construction Law Department. He can be reached at 612.359.7651 or LWells@fwhtlaw.com

ORGANIZATIONAL WELLBEING & CULTURE NEWS

NEXT WEEK (October 12-16): Construction Inclusion Week

The demand for skilled craftspeople, engineers, and managers far exceeds available talent.

Construction Inclusion Week focuses on creating awareness, promoting opportunities in the industry, and enhancing the experience of all construction professionals. This annual initiative brings together contractors, suppliers, architects, engineers, and technology partners to positive work environments for everyone, at every level.

Join us in building a legacy of belonging- one project, one team, and one partnership at a time. Prepare to participate!

MNOSHA Construction Seminar: November 17
Culture of CARE: Suicide Prevention Awareness

Join Minnesota OSHA (MNOSHA) Compliance in welcoming AGC's Yolanda McIntosh to present "Culture of CARE: Suicide Prevention Awareness" at the next free Construction Seminar, at 7 a.m., Tuesday, Nov. 17.

Topics to be discussed include why construction workers are at risk for suicide, what some of the warning signs are, and how you can help.

About the Construction Seminar series

Minnesota OSHA (MNOSHA) Compliance's free Construction Seminars feature a presentation about a specific construction safety or health topic -- with time for questions, answers and input -- plus an update from MNOSHA Compliance about what's currently happening regarding investigations.

Subscribe to the Construction Seminar email list to always receive notice about these events.

SAFETY NEWS

3 Weeks to the CHASE Recognition Event!

Is your team registered to join us at Midland Hills Golf Club on October 29 to recognize the safest group of contractors in the state? The annual CHASE Recognition Event celebrates AGC's CHASE partnership with MNOSHA that continues to produce the highest collective safety records in Minnesota!

Come hear from speaker Jason Kunz on "The Leadership Advantage: Seeing What Others Miss" and learn more about the CHASE program!

Thanks to these Sponsors of the Recognition Event!

Active Threat Preparedness Training

Whether in the office or on a job site, it is critical to know how to react if faced with an active threat/shooter situation.

Rich Webb and Drew Moldenhauer from Blue Ethos will provide participants with practical, real-world strategies to prepare for and respond to an active threat. Through Blue Ethos' Multi-Option Response framework, attendees will learn best practices for improving survivability while making informed decisions under extreme stress.

Stop the STCKY Academy

Back by popular demand: Safety professionals are encouraged to join us on November 19 for an 8-hour Stop the STCKY (S#*! That Can Kill You) Academy, presented by Adam Mack of Sundt.

Registration includes lunch, and online participation is available.

First Aid, CPR, and AED Training

On a jobsite, the first few minutes of an emergency belong to whoever is standing there. Not EMS - your crew. This half-day session on January 7 gives you the training and the confidence to act in those minutes, whether it's a cardiac arrest, a serious laceration, or an exposure incident. Cintas instructors lead the class with hands-on practice and a 1:1 student-to-mannequin ratio, so everyone gets real reps and personal coaching - not a video and a quiz. Learn more and Register

GENERAL NEWS

2026-2027 Minnesota Construction Industry Assessment

The 2026 AGC of Minnesota Construction Industry Assessment Survey yields a unique look at the entire spectrum of the Minnesota construction industry, and includes new questions this year on backlog and lost work, safety, and data centers.

This year's survey has been sent to our primary contact at each AGC member firm. If you have not received it or would like to participate on behalf of your firm, please let Renee know! One response per firm.

The survey will close on November 6, 2026.

Constructability Review Request:
TH 13 Reconstruction

MnDOT is asking Contractors to share their expertise by evaluating construction staging/access and risks to delivering this highway reconstruction project. Contractors who participate in constructability review meetings must learn about the project scope and specifics provided and come prepared to discuss the questions provided.

MnDOT is preparing plans for improvements to TH 13 in Savage and Burnsville from 0.3 Miles west of Quentin Ave to 0.23 Miles West of CSAH 5. Major project elements include the following:

Reconstruction of TH 13 from Quentin Ave to Washburn Ave
Construction of bridges at Quentin Ave, Proposed On and Off Ramps at Quentin Ave over Credit River, Huntington Ave, and Chowen Ave
Construction of four roundabouts at Quentin Ave and 123rd St W – half at a time, Huntington Ave and North Frontage Road, Chowen and South Frontage Road, and Washburn and North Frontage Road
Storm sewer improvements
Local utility improvements
Local Access

The constructability review meetings will be scheduled between October 29-30, 2026, and are expected to last approximately 90 minutes.

Click to download a file with more details about the project delivery, preliminary schedule, initial estimates, and questions for contractors.

AGC HR Forum

Participating in AGC Committees & Forums is a member benefit!

Thanks to everyone who attended this week's joint HR Forum / Safety Alliance Forum on the topic of Active Threat Preparedness! The trainers from Blue Ethos provided participants with practical, real-world strategies to prepare for and respond to an active threat.

Don't miss the October meeting, where we'll be hosted by Rachel Contracting and covering how to build effective workplace wellness programs. We'll also hear updates from Bassford Remele on developments at the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs, as well as best practices for the Minnesota Paid Leave program.

In November, the HR Forum will be held at Knutson Construction, where we'll hear about Knutson's newly-developed mentorship program, BuildUp. Knutson representatives will walk participants through the basic concepts of the program, current successes, and potential growth. We'll also hear about the YWCA's Velocity program, a workforce development and skilled-trades pathways program.

Registration for A’26 MN: The Minnesota Conference on Architecture is now available! AGC members can register at the AIA Minnesota member rate, and early discounted registration rates are available through October 12.

Learn more and register

Celebrate the Season and Help Us
Send Tim Off in Style!

This year’s AGC Holiday Reception on December 1 will be an extra-special event as we celebrate Tim Worke’s retirement and 40 years of service to Minnesota’s construction industry.

Join your AGC friends and industry peers as we celebrate the end of another great year in Minnesota construction, raise a glass to Tim, and send him into retirement with a party worthy of the occasion! We’re adding a few special touches this year - including photo booths, shuttle transportation and more - and we hope to see a great crowd of people who have worked with, learned from, laughed with, and gotten to know Tim over the years.

Come for Tim. Stay for the party. It will be a great evening to reconnect with industry friends, celebrate the season, and recognize someone who has given so much to Minnesota’s construction community.

We’ve also added several special event sponsorship opportunities for member companies that would like to be part of making Tim’s retirement celebration particularly memorable. Sponsorships are available for some of the fun extras we’re bringing to the evening and include recognition at the event - a great way to put your company’s name behind the celebration while helping us give Tim a terrific sendoff.

Thanks to these Reception Sponsors!

Construction Summit:
The Map is Filling In. Don't Miss Your Spot.

The expanded Minnesota Construction Summit trade show keeps growing. More space means more equipment on the floor and more exhibitors in front of Minnesota's construction industry. Good spots are still open, but they're going quickly.

View the map and claim your spot.

SPONSOR & EXHIBIT

Thank You to our 2027 Sponsors!

PLATINUM SPONSORS