|
The 2024 Mental Health Summit took place Tuesday, and together we prioritized mental health, shared powerful stories, and committed to a safer, healthier industry for all.
Governor Walz declared December 3, 2024 "Construction Industry Mental Health Day."
| |
|
Thank you to everyone who joined us for the AGC Annual Business Meeting and Holiday Reception on Wednesday!
It was a wonderful evening of networking and celebrating another year together in the Minnesota construction industry.
| |
|
2024 Lifetime Achievement and Skill-Responsibility-Integrity Awards
Congratulations to Brian Mathiowetz (Mathiowetz Construction) and to John Hass (Veit & Company) on being named the 2024 AGC Lifetime Achievement Award and Skill-Responsibility-Integrity (SRI) Award recipients, respectively!
Brian and John will be recognized and receive their awards at AGC Honors 2025. Be sure to register to join us on February 18, 2025!
| |
Brian Mathiowetz, 2024 Lifetime Achievement Award recipient (L)
and John Hass, 2024 Skill-Responsibility-Integrity (SRI) Award recipient (R)
| |
Jeff Jensen Memorial Construction Safety Excellence Awards
If 2023 was a great year for safety in your company, it's time to apply for a Jeff Jensen Safety Award, given in three categories based on number of work hours! Awards will be presented at AGC Honors 2025 on February 18.
APPLY TODAY
| |
|
Apply for a DEI Award!
Whether your company is promoting inclusion on your jobsites, creating an innovative way of increasing diversity, or you are a diverse business that's increasing engagement, AGC wants to celebrate your efforts!
Learn more and apply
| |
|
Capitol Update: Budget Forecast
by Sarah Psick, AGC Legislative Consultant
On Wednesday, the Minnesota Management and Budget (MMB) office issued the state’s budget forecast which provides a roadmap for the Governor and legislators to start planning for the 2025 legislative session. Minnesota’s projected budget outlook shows a $616 million budget surplus for the next budget cycle but indicates an increasing structural imbalance with a projected $5 billion deficit in future years.
MMB Commissioner Erin Campbell presented the budget forecast detailing the $616 million projected surplus for fiscal years (FY) 2026-27 which is $1.1 billion less than prior projections. Individual income tax and sales tax revenues are coming in below projections and spending for disability services, long-term care, and special education are coming in higher – all which contribute to the projected shortfall. The Legislature changed the law in 2023 requiring MMB to incorporate inflation adjustments to state spending when making budget forecasts, the $926 million inflation adjustment in this forecast contributes to the FY 2026-27 structural imbalance. Minnesota law also requires one-third of any budget surplus to be deposited into the budget reserve account. This forecast anticipates adding $264 million to the budget reserve, bringing the balance in the account to $3.177 billion.
MMB Forecast Presentation Slides
Governor Walz will use the budget forecast when he prepares a budget proposal for presentation to the Legislature in January. In speaking to the media, the Governor said solving the state's budget issues will involve some “hard decisions.” An updated forecast will be released in February, and it is this forecast which the Legislature will use to craft and adopt a two-year state balanced budget. The budget must be passed by June 30, 2025.
In response to the updated budget forecast, Legislative leaders reacted along party lines as can be expected. DFL Leaders Speaker Hortman and Majority Leader Erin Murphy praised the work of past legislatures for creating a strong budget reserve, taking care of Minnesota workers and families, and preparing for the future. They pledged to dig into the budget, take a hard look at existing programs, while still protecting Minnesota values.
Republican Co-Speaker Designate Lisa Demuth and Senator Eric Pratt took a harsher tone and laid blame on increased spending by the DFL trifecta for the budget outlook. They are calling on state agencies to provide information about agency spending, open positions, open office space, and other items. The Republican leaders said the legislature will need to look at spending cuts and are not inclined to support tax increases.
This House Public Information article includes links to video of the MMB presentation, as well as responses from Governor Walz and Legislative leaders.
Election Update: Two House races from the recent election are being contested in the court system. In District 54A, Republican Aaron Paul has filed an election contest and is seeking a new election. In this race, incumbent DFL Representative Brad Tabke was declared the winner by a 15-vote margin. However, after conducting an investigation into the 20 missing ballots, Scott County officials announced that the ballots were likely thrown away accidentally. In House District 40B, Republican candidate Paul Wikstrom filed an election contest against DFLer Curtis Johnson who won this race in the November election. Paul Wikstrom contends that Curtis Johnson does not live in the legislative district and would be ineligible to represent the seat. Curtis Johnson won the race by over 30 points, but with a currently tied House of Representatives, Republicans are taking a close look at these two races.
What’s Next: Co-House Speaker Designates Hortman and Demuth are continuing to meet and work out how a tied House will operate. Newly elected members are participating in new member training classes, being assigned offices, and hiring staff. And all Legislators are gearing up for the 2025 session which begins on January 14.
| |
|
MN Department of Labor and Industry Releases FAQ on New Independent Contractor Test for Construction
After ongoing discussions with DLI and feedback from AGC’s mini-summit attendees, the Department released its answers in an FAQ on the new construction contractor test compliance. The new test, which goes from nine factors to 14 factors, goes into effect March 1, 2025.
AGC’s Contracts Committee created an addendum to help comply with the new law and recommends (1) upstream contractors ask their subcontractors to complete the addendum as evidence of due diligence to comply with the new requirements and (2) subcontractors provide a completed form when bidding to demonstrate early their ability to comply with the statute. A copy of the addendum is available on our contracts site: agcmncontracts.com. Instructions are available here.
If there are additional questions that arise, send them to Laura Ziegler, who will relay them to DLI.
| |
|
Learn how much DBE participation credit is calculated for suppliers/distributors/brokers
On Jan. 1, 2025, MnDOT will start counting DBE credit per the updates to the federal regulations. These updates affect the regular dealer category and the new distributor category. Join a training session to learn about applying DBE participation credit and updates to the federal regulations on these categories.
- Learn how to calculate DBE participation credit for suppliers/distributors/brokers
- Understand the updates to the DBE special provisions
- Review the revised Exhibit A form
- Review the (new) USDOT regular dealer affirmation form
Upcoming training session: Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2024, 3 - 4:30 p.m. Join the Dec. 10 open training session via Microsoft Teams
For details on these updates, refer to 49 CFR 26.55(e).
| |
|
Legislative Committee Meeting
The AGC Legislative Committee will meet via Zoom for a Session Preview on Wednesday, December 11 at 12:30 p.m.
Contact Laura Ziegler if you would like to attend.
| |
|
New Forms to become Signatory with Union Trades
AGC has updated its forms to become signatory with the union trades. If you are signed with a trade or want to become signatory, please update your form at agcmncontracts.com (this is a different website than the main AGC website). You will need to create a new log in and confirm your email. Going forward, you can access this site at any time to review or update your form, and ensure that you are receiving the latest information and updates from AGC.
DEI Rules Evolving
Two Supreme Court cases impacting diversity initiatives are rippling through all markets, including construction. Bench and Bar has a good article in its December issue worth reviewing. AGC will host a session on the latest developments in DEI and relatedly ESG at the Construction Summit on February 19-20.
| |
|
Nancy Blanchard (1939-2024)
AGC is saddened to announce the passing of Nancy Blanchard, a pioneer and trailblazer in the construction industry. Nancy passed away peacefully on November 27, 2024 with family by her side.
Nancy was born in Minneapolis in1939. She is survived by her husband of 65 years, James, children Mary Liz Holberg, Ann Blanchard (Jason), Jay (Sue) Blanchard and Robbin Blanchard (Kerstin), 12 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren and brother, Rick (Lynn) Barney. She is preceded in death by her parents and son, Christopher.
Nancy was co-founder of AGC member Safety Signs in 1993 alongside her husband, Jim, son Jay and daughter-in-law, Sue. She was also founding President of the Association of Woman Contractors (AWC) in 1995 and served on the AGC Board of Directors.
Family and friends are invited to attend a Service on Monday, December 16, 2024 at 11:00 am at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 18460 Kachina Court, Lakeville, MN 55044. Visitation with the family will begin at 10:00 am.
Nancy’s full obituary will be available soon at https://neptunesociety.com/obituaries. AGC staff and our members extend our deepest sympathy to her friends and all the extended associates at Safety Signs.
| |
|
Mathiowetz Construction Celebrates 100 Years
Congratulations to Mathiowetz Construction on 100 years of groundbreaking work in the Minnesota construction industry!
The Mathiowetz team celebrated with 1300 of their closest friends last Friday at their headquarters in Sleepy Eye. Click below to view a video commemorating their century of history!
| |
|
C.W. Houle wins AGC Cookie Drawing
Thank you to all 169 firms that participated in this year's Minnesota Construction Industry Assessment survey!
The final Industry Assessment report will be released December 13.
General contractor C.W. Houle, Inc. won the drawing for AGC cookies. Lisa Pelletier, Marketing & Payroll Manager, poses with the cookies for their staff.
| |
|
State of Minnesota Buy Clean EPD Grant Program Underway
The State of Minnesota's Buy Clean Environmental Product Declaration Grant Program is underway. The grant Request for Proposal is available here.
There will be a virtual Informational Webinar on December 16.
State of Minnesota's Buy Clean EPD Grant Program - Informational Webinar
| |
|
LINK Transit BRT Open House Next Tuesday (St. Paul | In-Person Only)
Come network with industry members and learn more about the LINK BRT Project goals and timeline. Hear from the City of Rochester and Kimley-Horn as they provide an in-depth look at the first of three initial pre-bid packages.
| |
|
AGC of America needs your help to better understand project demand and challenges contractors will face in 2025
Please complete the survey by December 13th.
AGC of America wants to understand exactly how construction demand, labor shortages and high interest rates are impacting the construction industry. That is why we are asking contractors to complete the following construction outlook survey. The results from the survey will inform expected market conditions for the coming year in addition to challenges contractors faced in 2024.
Results will be posted in early January. Take the survey
| |
|
NEXT WEEK: December Safety Committee Meeting
AGC members are invited to join us for lunch at the next Safety Committee Meeting on December 12 (11:30-1:30). This meeting will feature an update from Laura Ziegler on utility locating legislation, as well as other legislative updates.
Register if you will be joining us in person - an online participation link will be sent out via calendar invite. Contact Stacy Arnold with any questions.
| |
EVENT NEWS - REGISTER NOW FOR THESE UPCOMING EVENTS! | |
|
Economic & Political Updates: Will Construction in the US and Minnesota
Thrive or Dive in '25?
AGC members are invited to join us on December 16 for a discussion with AGC of America Chief Economist Ken Simonson, who will review review the latest data on trends in hiring, wages, materials costs, and supply chain issues, along with potential economic implications of the new lineup in Washington.
| |
Ken will conclude with his own fearless forecast for different construction segments nationally and in Minnesota. AGC's Director of Government Affairs, Laura Ziegler, will provide an elections recap and pre-session information.
Following Ken's presentation, Tim Worke will present the results of the 2024-2025 AGC of Minnesota Industry Assessment survey.
| |
|
2025 Minnesota Construction Summit
Don't miss out on two days packed with industry education and networking opportunities!
| |
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT & EDUCATION NEWS | |
|
AGC Edge: Online Training & Development
AGC Edge is AGC of America's online training platform. AGC of Minnesota members get significant discounts on training programs in Lean Constrution, Building Information Modeling (BIM), Project Management Developer Program (PMDP) and more!
| |
|
Sign up for Executive Circle!
Executive Circle is AGC of Minnesota's professional development program serving executive owners, taking them offline and away from working in their business, and redirecting their focus to working on their business.
Six intense modules, delivered over six months, explore various aspects of transformational leadership, including Leadership, Vision, People, Communication, Operations, and Technology. Cross-discipline (building/highway) learning and project partner (general and specialty contractors) perspectives are shared and discussed from a partnering perspective as viewed through the project owner lens.
The ideal Executive Circle candidate is an executive owner or top management decision maker within the business. Register for the 2025 Cohort!
| |
|
It's Time to Make Mental Health an Industry Priority
Great progress has been made in a short time to increase awareness of the construction industry’s mental health crisis. More recently, the concept of worker wellbeing has emerged, transcending an individualized focus on helping those already in crisis, and instead proactively identifying and working to mitigate the stressors found in our unique industry business model with its inherent demands.
Spearheaded by AGC, the Worker Wellbeing Initiative Strategy Team has embarked on a comprehensive strategy approach that brings together all three industry partner segments (employers, workforce, and project owners) to foster a secure and healthy work environment for all construction industry workers. Engaged and productive dialogue is being focused to identify proactive measures that can reduce industry mental health stressors before they take hold and manifest in crisis outcomes. This holistic approach aims to tackle the mental health crisis that is hindering growth within our industry by prioritizing mental health on parallel with physical safety and wellbeing.
| |
|
Registration is open for all of the following events.
Secure your sponsorship or registration before events are sold out!
| |
Thank You to our 2024 Annual Partners! | |
|
Don't Miss These Events!
Register now for these upcoming AGC events:
| |
Your Trusted Resource
Associated General Contractors of Minnesota
525 Park Street, Suite 110 | St. Paul, MN 55103
651-632-8929
| | | | |
