The federal CARES Act established the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) for small businesses suffering losses from the COVID-19 pandemic. If PPP loan proceeds are used for qualifying costs and 60% of the loan proceeds are used for payroll costs, then the federal government will forgive the loan. For federal taxes, the forgiven loan will not be included in taxable income and the business can continue to deduct expenses related to that loan. Unless Minnesota conforms to federal tax law, these forgivable loans will be taxed in Minnesota.

More than 100,000 Minnesota businesses participated in the PPP loan program. Without this change, many small and mid-sized businesses – already struggling due to revenue losses – will face further tax burdens. It is critical to conform to federal tax law as soon as possible in the 2021 session as the final tax payment is due March 15.

Please contact your representatives to urge them to conform to federal PPP tax loan forgiveness by passing HF 501 and allow deductibility of expenses on Minnesota income tax returns.

The Senate Transportation Finance and Policy Committee heard SF625 (Sen. Jeff Howe, R-Rockville), which would modestly increase investment in the Highway User Distribution Fund (HUTDF). The bill would modify the allocation of the state general sales tax revenue related to motor vehicle repair and replacement parts. Changes made in 2017 dedicated the sales tax on auto parts to the transportation system, but was limited to dollar cap of $145.6 million a year. SF625 would change the dedication of the sales tax to 60% of the total revenue collected.

The effect of this potential change would allow revenue to keep on track with inflation and increase purchasing power by the state to fund roads and bridges. AGC supports measures to increase investment in the HUTDF. The bill was amended to dedicate funds to townships and small cities and passed to the Taxes Committee. It will likely be considered during budget negotiations towards the end of session later this Spring.

The House and the Senate are wrapping up their committee jurisdictional updates and are beginning to hear bills and agency proposals. AGC staff continues to meet with legislators, as well key staff and commissioners with the Dept. of Labor and Industry, Dept. of Transportation, and the Dept. of Human Rights as they propose their legislative initiatives. All legislative meetings are continued to be conducted online. Please reach out to Laura Ziegler with any questions.

After years of legal battles between urban and rural residents, a permit from the Minnesota DNR this week made way for the construction of the 30-mile, $2.75 billion Red River diversion project aimed at providing flood protection to the Fargo-Moorhead area. Read more from the Star Tribune.

On Jan. 29, the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) issued new guidance on protecting workers and preventing the spread of COVID-19 in the workplace. Per OSHA, the guidance is not a standard or regulation, creates no new legal obligations and the recommendations are advisory in nature, informational in content, and are intended to assist employers in recognizing and abating hazards in the workplace.

Here you will find an analysis from AGC of America highlighting the key differences in the recent guidance in comparison to previous guidance issued.  

Working efficiently is the key to profitability when it comes to earthmoving applications. When the GPS-based grading systems were introduced as add-on pieces to grading equipment, it changed how companies performed their grading jobs. As the technology has improved, so has efficiency. Learn more

MnDOT is asking potential contractors to assist with evaluating construction staging and risks to delivering the New Ulm to Nicollet 4-lane Expansion Project. MnDOT requests one-on-one meetings with potential construction contractors to review the proposed concepts and provide feedback. The meetings are expected to last approximately 90 minutes each, and will preferably take place between February 15-19, 2021. Meetings will be held virtually, via Microsoft Teams.

More information available here, as well as in this document.

Please contact Zachary Tess, Project Manager, at 507-317-8168 or zachary.tess@state.mn.us to schedule a meeting.

Congratulations to Atlas Foundation Company on becoming the first new member of the CHASE program in 2021! Now entering its 18th year, CHASE is the longest-running partnership with MnOSHA, and features 47 contractor members committed to superior levels of safety.

CHASE contractors have come out strong in 2021, with 8 Level 3 projects already signed since the beginning of the year! MNOSHA's most recent "Safety Lines" newsletter highlighted the great work AGC CHASE contractors are doing. Click image to view larger.

Are you taking advantage of the many discounts available to you as an AGC member? New to the discount family: Dell Technologies, offering members 5-10% off Dell products and multiple stackable savings.

AGC members also receive discounts with Verizon, Staples, Airgas, Sherwin-Williams, Airgas, UniFirst, and more through the National Purchasing Partners program.

AGC Members: if you are celebrating a milestone or have other significant news,

please let Renee know, and we will periodically publish news from

In honor of Black History Month, AGC of Minnesota is celebrating the historical achievements of African Americans in our state. Despite the challenges of racial discrimination and civil unrest, then and now, African Americans in Minnesota continue to press forward to achieve, above all, human rights. Each week this month, we will recognize their accomplishments and contributions to Minnesota in an effort to educate, inspire, and encourage human and civil rights for all people. In the coming weeks, we will provide a brief introduction and links for more information.

In 1921, with a class of 16 she opened her own firm and became the first Black woman to practice law in the state. Four years later the talented attorney helped found the Minneapolis branch of the Urban League and between 1935 and 1939, Smith served as president of the Minneapolis branch of the NAACP. Her contemporaries recall Smith as one of the most aggressive and successful civil rights lawyers of her time.

Learn more here.

Wigington, known as “Cap,” was the mastermind behind the Highland Park Water Tower, the Harriet Island Pavilion, the [now] Roy Wilkins Auditorium, the administration building at Holman Field, four ice palaces for the Saint Paul Winter Carnival, the clubhouse at Keller Golf Course, and quite a few schools, fire stations, and homes. His schools included Marshall (now Webster Magnet Elementary), Wilson, Monroe and Cleveland junior highs, and Randolph Heights and Como Elementary.

Learn more here.

A new program is being offered for women managers who want to learn more about the unique strengths & challenges of being a woman in a leadership role. Dr. Rita Webster is making her Women's Leadership Development Cohort available to women in AGC. The 3month/6-session cohort begins on April 15. Save $100 when three women from the same company enroll.

Learn more or register here.

Join the Washington Business Journal for a 4-part virtual series that will help participants uncover the historic foundations of systemic racism, how that system is intertwined with the business community and what business leaders are doing to create a more equitable future. More info and registration here.

Online/Virtual Event

Topics Include:

Click here for more information and registration.

Registration is open for the Supervisory Training Program (STP) units beginning this month! All classes held virtually via Zoom.

AGC of Minnesota will be starting another Lean cohort in March! Participants can save money by taking the entire series, or may register for individual units. See all the available units here.

AGC of Minnesota members can save $800 on the AGC of America Project Manager Development Program (PMDP) offered through AGC of Wisconsin. More information and registration details here.

For discount code to get member rate, contact Renee.

Summer may feel far off, but hold these dates on your calendars now!

AGC Golf Tournament: Friday, August 6th at Keller Golf Course

AGC Sporting Clays Fundraiser: Wednesday, September 15th at Minnesota Horse & Hunt Club.