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One of my goals is to become what author Warren Berger calls a Questionologist. Associations, like MBEX, are striving to become Questionologists, too. By asking questions, we can make better decisions and take a more productive course of action for our members. We want to know what our members are thinking. What inspires and worries you? What would it take to increase your engagement?
The construction industry is in a period of tremendous change, and we at MBEX are really interested in hearing about what you need and how we can continue to innovate and continue being of value to you. Email me at ds@mbex.org or reach me directly at (612) 381-2625 with your suggestions, questions, and thoughts. Why not let us know what's on your mind? Onward!
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Five Quick Things To Know & Do This Week:
1.) Twin Cities Golf Update - Our golf tournament set for June 16th is officially full! While we can't take any more teams, there is an array of sponsorship opportunities still available, as well as open invitations to join us for lunch, dinner, or both, giving members who may have missed out on securing a team opportunities to attend and the chance to have a strong presence at this event.
2.) Take the Survey - MBEX and the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis need your input on current conditions in the construction sector. Please take a few minutes to complete this short survey to give a real-time sense of how the economy is impacting your business. By sharing, you'll also be helping your peers across our multi-state region know how this part of the country is reacting to economic realities. Thank you for your time and insights!
3.) Most Clicked - MBEX members liked these bits of content the most throughout the month of April:
• Minnesota construction firms settle wage theft claims involving dozens of workers [article]
• Twin Cities Golf Tournament registration [event]
• Mortenson acquires Nor-Cal Controls to strengthen energy controls capablilities [member update]
• Federal independent contractor rules are changing. Here's what employers should know. [article]
• MBEX Member Appreciation BBQ registraiton [event]
4.) Crank That Volume - Every jobsite deserves a great soundtrack. For the duration of May, we've handpicked one track a day, spanning rock, country, blues, pop, and more. There's something for every crew, every trade, and every phase of the build. Tune in all month long with our Spotify playlist and by downloading our May playlist calendar.
5.) Video Break [Watch] - Tilbury Douglas has released 'Douglas', an autonomous humanoid robot equipped with an on-board Lidar system and a two-hour battery life, to a live construction site in the UK to undertake site walks and data collection tasks.
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Inside Issue No. 18:
• May & June Events: Network, celebrate and tee it up with MBEX
• Sage Economics: Commercial construction's economic signals throughout April
• MBEX Roundup: Reviewing MBEX's past 30 days of projects and progress
• Teachers Conferece: Recapping Project Build's Minnesota Construction Teachers Conference event
• Five Headlines: Overall spending expected to hold steady in 2026 but performance will vary across the industry, per FMI; How to use real jobsite incidents as teaching tools without fear or blame; How 'metamaterials' could change the future of construction; Why worker misclassification can distort the competitive landscape; & 10 trends in the affordable housing sector
• Project of the Week: Kraus-Anderson selected as GC for $175M youth sports complex in Big Bend, Wisc.
• Industry Event: Diverse Trade Partner Expo - Tuesday, May 12 - Ryan Companies (Minneapolis, Minn.) - Presented by Ryan Companies, US, Inc
• Project Download: Updated project information for the week of April 29-May 5, 2026
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What's Coming Up in May & June
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May and June are bringing a strong lineup of events to learn, connect, and make the most of your MBEX membership, and it all gets started right away.
Kick off May with the MBEX Young Professionals Network (YPN) on May 6 at RJM Construction in Golden Valley. If you're early in your construction career, or want to invest in someone who is, this is the place to be. Just $20 gets you in the door with drinks and appetizers included. Later in the month, the Online Plan Room Demo on May 21 is a free, one-hour session that's worth your time whether you're brand new to our digital platform or looking to sharpen your daily workflow. And don't forget we'll be closed on May 25 in honor of Memorial Day!
June opens with the Member Appreciation BBQ on June 2 at The Builders Group in Eagan (please note the location change from previous years!). This is the board and staff's annual way of saying thank you to you, our members. Lunch is catered by Famous Dave's. Then on June 16, the Twin Cities Golf Tournament takes over Oak Glen Golf Course in Stillwater. Teams are already sold out, but sponsorship opportunities are still available if you want to get your company in front of a great crowd of industry peers, from the Bloody Mary station at check-in all the way through dinner and awards at the end of the day.
Scroll down for full details and registration links:
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Date: Thursday, May 21
Time: 9:00am - 10:00am
Location: Virtual Event
Cost: Free! Open to current MBEX members and non-members interested in learning more about our Plan Room.
REGISTER BY:
2:30pm on Wednesday, May 20
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Date: Monday, May 25
MBEX closed in observance of the Memorial Day holiday.
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Date: Tuesday, June 2
Time: 11:00am - 1:00pm
Location: The Builders Group
(2919 Eagandale Blvd, STE 100, Eagan, Minn., 55121)
Cost: Each member company receives 2 complimentary tickets. Additional tickets can be purchased for $20 each.
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Teams are sold out! Sponsorship Opportunities still available, as well as Lunch and Dinner options.
Date: Tuesday, June 16
Times: Lunch served - 11:00am | Shotgun start - 12:00pm
Location: Oak Glen Golf Course
(1599 McKusick Road North, Stillwater, Minn., 55082)
| | These events will be here (or fill up) before you know it. Don't miss your chance to be a part of them. | | | MBEX's social and networking events represent a huge benefit of membership, with exciting and varied events to participate in and show your support for the Midwest Builders Exchange. | | |
Fuel, Financing, and the Future:
April's Economic Signals for Commercial Constructors
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The month of April was defined by one dominant story: the ongoing closure of the Strait of Hormuz and its cascading effects across energy markets, inflation, financing, and business confidence.
For commercial construction firms, the ripple effects touched nearly every line of a project budget, from diesel and materials to borrowing costs and client sentiment.
Amid the turbulence, a few pockets of genuine strength emerged, particularly in data center construction and residential renovation work.
Here's what our members need to know:
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Energy & Fuel Costs
Diesel prices surged past $5.64/gallon by early April (more than $2.00/gallon above January levels), driven by Iran's closure of the Strait of Hormuz. A brief ceasefire announcement on April 17 sent oil prices tumbling, but Iran reversed course within 24-hours and prices rebounded above $106/barrel.
Even if the Strait fully reopens, experts warn that hundreds of millions of barrels of lost production will keep fuel costs elevated well into the coming months.
(See more on Pages 2-3, 12, 25, 31, 34-35)
Actions MBEX Members Can Take Now:
- Lock in fuel contracts or hedging arrangements now if your firm has not already done so.
- Revisit active project bids and contracts for fuel escalation clauses.
- Audit equipment fleet efficiency and consider consolidating jobsite fuel deliveries to reduce per-gallon logistics costs.
Materials & Supply Chain Inflation
Both the ISM Manufacturing PMI and the Producer Price Index flagged sharply rising input costs in March and April. The March Consumer Price Index posted a 0.9% monthly increase (the largest since June 2022), bringing year-over-year inflation to 3.3%.
Core inflation remains more contained, but Sage Economics cautions that sustained high energy costs will eventually push broader materials prices higher.
(See more on Pages 14, 27-28, 31)
Actions MBEX Members Can Take Now:
- Build more aggressive materials escalation provisions into upcoming project contracts and bids.
- Accelerate procurement on long-lead items before energy-driven cost increases work through the supply chain.
- Communicate proactively with owners and clients about the inflation environment to set realistic budget expectations early.
Construction Spending Trends
Private construction spending has fallen nearly 1% since the start of 2024, with the weakness concentrated in new single-family (down $26-billion) and manufacturing construction (down $34-billion).
The two bright spots are data centers (+ $22-billion) and residential improvements (+ $77-billion), the latter having received far less attention than it deserves. Renovation work now accounts for roughly $1 in every $4 spend on private construction, near its all-time high.
(See more on Pages 17-19)
Actions MBEX Members Can Take Now:
- Evaluate whether your firm is positioned to capture renovation and improvement work, which is showing the most consistent private-sector demand.
- Explore data center construction opportunities, including subcontracting relationships, with firms already active in that space.
- Use the spending data to have informed conversations with your bonding and banking partners about where the market is heading.
Labor Market Conditions
Construction added 26,000 jobs in March, one of the stronger non-healthcare performances for the month. However, the overall hiring rate fell to its lowest level since April 2020, and the skilled labor shortage shows no sign of easing.
Jobless claims remained historically low throughout April, confirming that workers are staying put, making recruitment increasingly competitive.
(See more on Pages 8-10, 12-15, 20-23)
Actions MBEX Members Can Take Now:
- Prioritize retention strategies now, as the cost of losing experienced workers in this environment is high.
- Review workforce pipelines and apprenctieship relationships heading into the summer building season.
- Factor labor availability constraints explicitly into project scheduling and bid timelines.
Interest Rates & Financing Conditions
Mortgage rates spiked from below 6.0% in late February to 6.46% by early April before gradually retreating to 6.23% by month's end. The Fed held rates steady and its minutes signaled no cuts are coming with inflation running well above the 2.0% target.
The 10-year Treasury yield rose approximately 0.4% percentage points during the conflict, directly affecting commercial lending and construction loan costs.
(See more on Pages 3-4, 14, 26, 28, 36-37)
Actions MBEX Members Can Take Now:
- Stress-test project pro formas at current and slightly higher rate scenarios before committing to new starts.
- Engage lenders early on pipeline projects to understand how the rate environment is affecting underwriting appetite.
- For firms with variable-rate construction loans, explore conversion options while rates show modest near-term decline.
Business & Consumer Sentiment
Consumer sentiment hit its lowest recorded level in early April (a data series stretching back to 1952), before declining further later in the month. The NFIB Small Business Optimism Index fell to its lowest point since April 2025. The Dallas Fed Manufacturing Survey captured the mood well, describing an economy of "big winners and losers" with respondents ranging from near-closure to record optimism.
(See more on Pages 12, 28, 31, 37-38)
Actions MBEX Members Can Take Now:
- Expect project decision timelines to lengthen as owners and developers respond to uncertainty; build this into your pipeline forecasting.
- Use this period to deepen relationships with existing clients, as firms that stay close during uncertainty are better positioned when decisions resume.
- Monitor the NFIB and consumer sentiment indices monthly as leading indicators for small commercial and tenant improvement demand.
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Looking Ahead
Sage Economics closed April with caution. Anirban Basu saw some improved momentum in consumer spending and hiring, but warned it may be short-lived given geopolitical and policy uncertainty. Zack Fritz remained slightly more pessimistic, noting that every additional week of Strait closure compounds the energy supply deficit.
The word most often reached for this month was stagflation, which is slowing growth paired with rising prices; a combination that demands careful planning from construction firms heading into May.
| | | This information was compiled and summarized from Sage Economics' email updates distributed April 1-30, 2026. Note that more recent reports may offer updated insights (such as with interest rates and specific materials prices), and MBEX members are encouraged to review the latest data as part of their due diligence. | | | |
At the start of each month, we look back at MBEX's past 30-some days to review project progress, Online Plan Room stats, and membership achievements.
Numbers reflected below share data from the date range of April 1-30, 2026.
| | Total # of Projects Added (April 2026) | | Total # of Projects Added (April 2025) | | Total # of Projects Added (April 2024) | | Total # of Projects YTD (Jan. 1 - April 30) | | New Member Companies Joined | | | | |
No. of Members & Non-Members
Added to Bidders Lists
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10 Most Viewed Projects (April 1-30, 2026)
** indicates the project is still actively bidding
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#1
City of Lino Lakes - Public Works
- Bid Package No. 2
• Total Visitors: 8,962
• Total Unique Visitors: 472
• Bid Date: May 4, 2026
• Project Location: Lino Lakes, Minn.
• Project Category: Recreational
• Project Type: New Construction
• Project ID: 2026-0718
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#2
City of St. Cloud
- Fire Station 6
• Total Visitors: 6,817
• Total Unique Visitors: 485
• Bid Date: April 21, 2026
• Project Location: St. Cloud, Minn.
• Project Category: Local Government
• Project Type: New Construction
• Project ID: 2026-06E1
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#3
Minnesota Power Service Center
- Bid Package No. 2
• Total Visitors: 5,436
• Total Unique Visitors: 412
• Bid Date: April 28, 2026
• Project Location: Little Falls, Minn.
• Project Category: Local Government
• Project Type: New Construction
• Project ID: 2026-0792
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#4
YME Public Schools - Additions
& Remodeling - Bid Package No. 4
• Total Visitors: 5,230
• Total Unique Visitors: 356
• Bid Date: April 30, 2026
• Project Location: Granite Falls, Minn.
• Project Category: Educational
• Project Type: Addition
• Project ID: 2026-0735
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#5
South Garage - HVAC Rebuild
- Metropolitan Council
• Total Visitors: 5,176
• Total Unique Visitors: 282
• Bid Date: April 28, 2026
• Project Location: Minneapolis, Minn.
• Project Category: Local Government
• Project Type: Demolition
• Project ID: 2026-0625
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#6
Green Line OMF LRV Storage
Barn - Metropolitan Council
• Total Visitors: 4,989
• Total Unique Visitors: 365
• Bid Date: May 14, 2026
• Project Location: St. Paul, Minn.
• Project Category: Storage / Warehouse
• Project Type: New Construction
• Project ID: 2026-042E **
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#7
Fulda Public Schools (ISD 505)
- Community School - Additions
& Remodel
• Total Visitors: 4,897
• Total Unique Visitors: 362
• Bid Date: April 30, 2026
• Project Location: Fulda, Minn.
• Project Category: Educational
• Project Type: Remodeling
• Project ID: 2026-074A
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#8
City Hall & Police Department
- Addition & Remodel - City of
Cold Spring
• Total Visitors: 4,551
• Total Unique Visitors: 403
• Bid Date: May 5, 2026
• Project Location: Cold Spring, Minn.
• Project Category: Local Government
• Project Type: Addition / Remodeling
• Project ID: 2026-07C3
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#9
Fond du Lac (FDL) - Center for
American Indian Resources (CAIR)
- Expansion - Bid Package No. 2
• Total Visitors: 3,924
• Total Unique Visitors: 330
• Bid Date: April 20, 2026
• Project Location: Duluth, Minn.
• Project Category: Local Government
• Project Type: Expansion
• Project ID: 2026-052C
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#10
MnDOT - Virginia District 1
Headquarters - Bid Package No. 3
• Total Visitors: 3,773
• Total Unique Visitors: 322
• Bid Date: April 23, 2026
• Project Location: Virginia, Minn.
• Project Category: Local Government
• Project Type: New Construction
• Project ID: 2026-06CA
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RECAP: Minnesota Construction Teachers Conference
Presented by Project Build Minnesota
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Last Thursday and Friday, The Builders Group (TBG) hosted nearly 40 high school construction instructors for the Minnesota Construction Teachers Conference, organized by Project Build Minnesota, and it was two days well spent.
Project Build Minnesota is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that MBEX helped found nearly a decade ago alongside several other Minnesota construction industry associations. Project Build's mission is simple but vital: connect construction companies with the educators shaping tomorrow's workforce.
Its annual teachers conference is one major effort behind that work, complemented each fall by a separate gathering for talent recruiters.
This year's teachers conference program was packed with relevant, forward-looking content:
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David Siegel, MBEX Executive Director (pictured above), shared scholarship opportunities with the attending teachers to bring back to their students.
- Dan Williamson, Director of AI at Ryan Companies, gave attendees a look at how artificial intelligence is being used in construction today, as well as where it's headed.
- Jacob Beckman, Adolfson & Peterson, walked through virtual construction platforms that are increasingly common on jobsites.
- Repurposed Educators gave a presentation exploring the generational landscape of today's students, from Boomers to Gen Alpha, offering teachers practical insight into how different generations learn and engage.
- Brian Gray, Knobelsdorff Electrical, spotlighted the training opportunities available to people entering the field.
- Harry Rothstein, Weidner Mechanical Contractors and MBEX Board member, shared his own career journey as a reminder of just how many paths can lead to a rewarding future in construction.
The group also got a firsthand look at the currently under-construction Activity Center next to Eastview High School in Eagan, with Knutson Construction serving as construction manager.
The takeaway that resonated most from the two days? Construction teachers across Minnesota are eager to build stronger relationships with the contractors in their communities. And the feeling is mutual. We're encouraging our member contractors to take that first step: reach out to your local high school(s) and start a conversation. It's good for teachers, great for students, and a smart investment in your company's future.
Need help getting started? Contact David Siegel at (612) 381-2625 or ds@mbex.org.
| | | Keep an eye out for future information regarding Project Build's Construction Talent Acquisition Conference this fall. This event is perfect for building / construction-related talent acquisition directors, building / construction-related human resource professionals, and anyone charged with recruiting and retaining employees with their construction-related firms. | | | |
Five construction-related headlines you need to read over the next coffee break.
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ECONOMIC OUTLOOK
📐 New Outlook Points to Flat Construction Market, Uneven Growth in 2026
FMI Corp.'s latest North American Engineering and Construction Outlook paints a mixed picture for 2026, with overall spending expected to hold steady but performance varying widely across the industry. FMI characterizes the current environment as a "sector-specific recession," where parts of the construction market are contracting even as the broader economy continues to grow. Several factors are contributing to the slowdown, including high interest rates, tighter lending conditions, and fewer projects moving through the pipeline. (For Construction Pros)
JOBSITE SAFETY
🤕 Use Real Incidents as Teaching Tools Without Creating Fear or Blame
There is a moment every safety trainer knows well. You are preparing a session on a familiar topic, and you think to yourself, "If only people understood how real this hazard is." Then you remember an incident or a near miss that illustrates the danger perfectly. It might be something that happened on your site or something you learned from another workplace. Real incidents carry power, but they must be used carefully. This article explores how safety trainers and supervisors can use real incidents to strengthen learning without creating fear or blame. (EHS Today)
ALTERNATIVE BUILDING MATERIALS
💪 Do You Know About 'Metamaterials'?
Did you know there is another class of alternative materials beyond 3D-printed forms that are poised to change the future of construction? Metamaterials, simply put, are man-made items whose strength comes not from what they are made out of, but how they are structured. Engineers create microscopic, repetitive patterns that control how vibrations, like sound and seismic waves, move through them. This could allow the material to better withstand pressures that may break them otherwise (think of how easily certain metals can bend in high wind). (ConstructConnect News)
LABOR & WORKFORCE
🗄️ Worker Misclassification in Construction Leads to Competitive Imbalance
A new report on worker misclassification has singled out construction both for the scale of the problem and the magnitude of its impact in the industry. Misclassifying employees as independent contractors carries significant financial consequences for workers, as well as for state and federal systems that rely on payroll-based contributions, according to a new report from the Economic Policy Institute. While the issue spans multiple industries, construction stands out. The impact extends beyond workers. For nonresidential contractors, misclassification can distort the competitive landscape. (Construction Dive)
AFFORDABLE HOUSING | INDUSTRY TRENDS
🏘️ 10 Trends in the Affordable Housing Sector
Affordable housing is covered under a wide umbrella, as are government assistance programs that include tenant vouchers and low-income tax credits for development. Because it targets a cross-section of individuals and families, affordable housing isn't cookie-cutter the way other residential types might be. Take a look at these 10 identified trends based on interviews with and information from more than 15 AEC firms regarding the state of the affordable housing market. (Building Design + Construction)
| | Kraus-Anderson Plans $175M Big Bend Sports Complex | | |
Read more on Finance & Commerce
The village of Big Bend approved the first phase of a $175-million youth athletic complex, and Kraus-Anderson's Milwaukee office was named the general contractor for the project.
Plans for the Breck Athletic Complex, located at the southeast corner of State Highway 164 and Town Line Road, include six outdoor baseball fields, five outdoor soccer fields, four outdoor lacrosse fields, and a 150,000-square-foot indoor baseball, lacrosse, and soccer facility with batting cages and warm-up areas.
Amenities will include golf simulators, a looped fitness trail, a gas station, parking, commercial and retail spaces, sports outfitters, and a hotel, according to Kraus-Anderson.
The first phase of construction is expected to begin this summer, with the soccer fields completed by early Fall 2026. The baseball diamonds are expected to open in late Fall 2027 or Spring 2028. The phasing plans submitted to the village are based on the project's construction timelines, officials said.
The future facility will host national-level baseball, soccer, and lacrosse tournaments, and will be the first of its kind. It will also be the largest in Wisconsin when completed.
The developer requested a planned unit development overlay district and a conditional use permit to start the first phase of the project. Both items were approved by the village on April 30.
The facility is being developed by Eric Weishaar, president of Breckenridge Landscape (Wauwatosa, Wisc.). Plans for the sports complex first surfaced in January.
| | ABOVE: Rendering by Kraus-Anderson of the proposed Breck Athletic Complex, a $175-million youth athletic project in Big Bend, Wisconsin. | |
Diverse Trade Partner Expo
Presented by Ryan Companies, US, Inc.
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DATE: Tuesday, May 12
TIME: 1:45pm - 4:00pm
LOCATION:
COST: Free to attend
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Join Ryan Companies to learn more about the company and their upcoming projects, and to connect with estimators, sector leaders, and project managers.
This Expo is for Minority, Women, Veteran, Disadvantaged, and Small Business Enterprises.
EXPO AGENDA:
• 1:45pm - 2:00pm - Gathering
• 2:00pm - 2:20pm - Ryan Update for 2026: Market Overview and Upcoming Ryan Projects
• 2:20pm - 3:45pm - Meet & Greet with Industrial, Healthcare, Multi-Family, Retail, Tenant Improvement, Data Center, and Life Sciences estimators, sector leaders, and project managers
• 3:45pm - 4:00pm - Raffle
Ryan Companies, US, Inc. is a Union General Contractor. Whether you are a signatory to a Union or not, they invite you to come and discuss future possibilities.
View and download an event flyer here.
Contact Cheryl Schmitt with questions: (612) 492-4381 or cheryl.schmitt@ryancomapnies.com.
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• Total Projects Received at MBEX from 4/27/2026 - 5/1/2026: 105
• Total Project Leads Reported on at MBEX from 4/27/2026 - 5/1/2026: 16
• Total Active Projects Received / Reported on at MBEX as of 5/5/2026: 444
• Total 2026 Projects posted to the Online Plan Room as of 5/5/2026: 2,499
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Click the button above to view the most recent project data from 4/29/2026 - 5/5/2026.
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 Director.
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UPCOMING MBEX EVENTS
• May 6 - Young Professionals Network (YPN)
• May 7 - Bluebeam 3: Material Takeoffs & Estimates (Advanced)
• May 21 - Online Plan Room Demo
• May 25 - Memorial Day - MBEX Closed
• June 2 - Member Appreciation BBQ
• June 16 - Twin Cities Golf Tournament
• June 18 - Online Plan Room Demo
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Information within the MBEX Weekly Bulletin are obtained from sources deemed reliable. The Midwest 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.
2026 BOARD OFFICERS: President - Brian Kalla, St. Cloud Acoustics; Vice President - Sean Ochis, Northern Industrial Insulation; Treasurer - Allie Brady, Veit USA; Past President - Heidi Sedlacek, Associated General Contractors of Minnesota
2026 DIRECTORS: Kevin Bohrer, Donlar Construction; Ben Bowman, Adolfson & Peterson; David Brandt, Schadegg Mechanical; Matt Lennartson, RJM Construction; Chris Niemand, Frattalone Companies; Jason Rentmeester, Kraus-Anderson Construction; Harry Rothstein, Weidner's Mechanical Contractors; Jim Rothstein, Erickson Electric; and Alanna Soukkala, Holden Insurance Agency.
MBEX STAFF: David Siegel - Executive Director; Julie Miller - Executive Assistant / Project Coordinator / Accounting; Ashlee Hartwig - Membership & Communications Director; Melanie Hendrickson - Events & Membership Coordinator; Jeff Boelter - Project Acquisition & Plan Room Support; Shauna Baska - Project Reporter & Bidders Lists; Ka Yang - Addenda & Apparent Lows; Peggy Esboldt, Madison Gentil & Michelle Siegel - Project Reporters; Don O'Connor - Independent Event Planning Contractor
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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