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Five Quick Things To Know / Do This Week:
1.) ATTENTION ALL MEMBERS: The 2025 Membership Directory & Buyers Guide contracts were emailed to all members on Monday, September 16th. Please review your company information, add or remove classified and trade listings, or advertise in next year's publication. Return by mail or email to juliem@mbex.org by October 15, 2024.
2.) The Dodge Momentum Index increased 2.9% in August. Over the month, commercial planning expanded 1.9% and institutional planning improved 5.7%.
3.) Have you received the newest issue of the MBEX Blueprint magazine in the mail? Not to worry, it's available online, too! View it here
4.) September 17th is / was Voter Registration Day (depending on when you read this). As Election Day approaches, employers need to understand their obligations regarding employee voting leave. Here's a breakdown
5.) Where precision meets...creativity? Not every jobsite is a work of art.
"Sooner or later, those who win are those who think they can." - Paul Tournier
IN BRIEF:
• Register Now: MBEX's next Online Plan Room Demo is this Thursday (9/19)
• Economic Roundup: Where the construction industry stands as of August
• Sneak Peek: Preview the September issue of the Pre-Plan Pipeline
• Inspirational Ideas: Six Construction Solutions for AEC firms
• NOW HIRING: Ebert Companies seek Concrete Estimator / Project Manager
• Planning Activity Jumps Ahead, Impact Printing, & Male Workers Face a 75% Higher Suicide Rate: Five construction-related headlines for your next coffee break
• Project of the Week: Proposed major data center project in Farmington
• Member Benefit: Fleet fueling with KwikTrip
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THIS THURSDAY: Online Plan Room Demo | |
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Join MBEX staff for a free, live online walk-through of our digital platform to learn the basics, refresh yourself on its offered tool, or to explore if our plan room would benefit your business.
• DATE: Thursday, September 19
• TIME: 9:00am - 10:00am CST
• LOCATION: Online via Zoom
• COST: Free!
From the Deskpad to setting up filters, to project information to bidders lists, this one-hour session is a great introduction to our Online Plan Room. Time is saved at the end for questions and answers that may have popped up throughout the demo.
PLEASE NOTE: Registrants must be signed up by 3:30pm the day before (Wednesday, September 18) to receive Zoom link and other information.
About the MBEX Online Plan Room
MBEX's modern and innovative online plan room is designed to bring its members the latest in Minnesota's commercial construction project news and bidding opportunities as well as projects from Iowa, Wisconsin, North Dakota and South Dakota.
MBEX's team of reporters work hard behind the scenes to post complete project details along with viewable files (dependent on a members' level of access). They coordinate project details with the architects, engineers, project owners, and construction managers to create a smooth viewing process for members.
Once posted, bidders can easily access the project scope, view plans, specs and addenda, download files, and contact key players on a project. Bidders can also manage email notifications for timely notices of newly posted projects, new filter results, and addenda notifications on tracked projects.
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Construction Economic Round-Up: August 2024 | |
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Inflation is now back below 3.0% on a year-over-year basis, and the unemployment rate has risen 0.8-percentage points during the past year. That sets the table for rate cuts at the Federal Reserve's September meeting, and the only lingering question is whether they will lower the federal funds rate by 25 or 50 basis points.
Here's what we else learned in August:
Construction Industry Slow, Rate Cuts Near
Construction spending decreased, contractor confidence tumbled, and construction job openings plummeted during the most recent months. Despite those signs of decaying momentum, backlog held steady in July and slowing inflation suggests that rate cuts are imminent.
Manufacturing Projects Drive Construction Spending
Nonresidential construction spending fell for the second straight month in June but is just 0.4% below the all-time high established this April. The manufacturing segment accounted for nearly $1 in every $5 spent on nonresidential construction for the month, driven by ongoing megaprojects.
Contractors Keep Hiring, Labor Shortage Shows Signs of Easing
The construction industry has added jobs at roughly twice the rate of the broader economy over the past year, and hiring has occurred at an even faster rate in the nonresidential segment. At the same time, job openings have plummeted nearly 30% during the past year.
Backlog Holds Steady While Contractor Confidence Falls
ABC's Construction Backlog Indicator held steady at 8.4-months in July, but 0.9-months lower than it was one year ago. All three components of the Contractor Confidence Index declined in July, yet all three readings remain above 50, suggesting expectations for improvement over the next six months.
Materials Price Escalation Remains Tame Despite July Increase
Construction input prices increased for the first time since April but were up just 1.1% on a year-over-year basis in July. Much of the monthly increase was driven by higher oil and natural gas prices.
Construction industry momentum has waned in recent months, and lower borrowing costs and looser lending standards will provide a much-needed tailwind.
ABC's monthly economic round-up for contractors --- Construction Futures --- is now published by 'Construction Executive.'
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PEEK INSIDE: September's Pre-Plan Pipeline
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Each month, MBEX members with Premium Access services receive a comprehensive review of projects in their formative stages across Minnesota and its surrounding regions.
This review of projects is a monthly publication assembled by MBEX called the Pre-Plan Pipeline.
How many projects are in each issue? It varies, but the September issue contained 181 projects across 65 cities and counties.
Take a peek inside this teaser of the September issue for an idea of the kinds of projects included.**
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Want to Receive this Monthly Publication Straight to Your Inbox?
Contact us today to upgrade if you're currently a member with Basic Access services to the Online Plan Room.
If your company already has Premium Access services but are not seeing this publication in your inbox, please (1.) Check your spam / junk folder to see if it's being sent there, and (2.) Email Ashlee to be added to the Pre-Plan Pipeline email list.
** Click the image on the right to open the preview of the September issue.
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Six Construction Solutions for AEC Firms | |
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AI ChatBots, ambient computing, floating MRIs, low-carbon cement, sunshine on demand, next-generation top-down construction. These and 35 other innovations make up Building Design + Construction's 2024 Great Solutions Report.
Over the next couple of weeks, we'll share the innovations by their four categories named in the report.
This week's category: Six Construction Solutions for AEC Firms
1.) Talk About a Tight Squeeze! - The Upbrella System
DPR Construction turned to the Upbrella system when building a five-story, 35,000-square-foot structure within inches of three historic buildings in Nashville's busy Broadway Historic District. The Upbrella system allowed them to install prefab exterior panels in a non-traditional way, given the clearance was less than a foot. This system used a bridge crane suspended from the exterior of the structure to lift the panels off delivery trucks and onto trolley cranes mounted on a monorail system circumnavigating the building. Once in place, the self-perform team secures the panels to the floor deck from inside the building.
2.) Cutting Water Damage Losses - Wet Work Program / Wet Work Permitting
Warfel Construction's Wet Work Program and Wet Work Permitting procedure identifies and mitigates risk when working with active water systems. The Wet Work Program includes tagging and identification of shut-off valves, posting shut-off valve location drawings throughout the work area, the use of flow monitors or water watch personnel, and readily available plans or equipment for containment should a leak occur.
3.) Adding Eight Aircraft Gates for LAX Offsite
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is building eight new gates in an accelerated time frame thanks to offsite construction and relocation (OCR) methods. Utilizing the OCR method, MSC South at LAX is being constructed in nine segments roughly a mile and a half away from the project's site, and once complete, will be carefully delivered and assembled in place.
4.) LIFTbuild's Top-Down Residential Building Concept
The dated approach of top-down construction has been reinvented with LIFTbuild's concept-to-completion project, Exchange. The team utilized a "vertical manufacturing" approach to the design, procurement, and assembly process. LIFTbuild leveraged its assembly line model with a generative design process that could identify the most optimal building configuration based on budget and programmatic needs. The high-rise itself consists of structural concrete spines and steel-framed decks for its roofs and floors.
5.) Top-Down Construction Shaves Eight Months Off Residential High-Rise
Goettsch Partners, Hartshorne Plunkard Architecture, Power Construction, and JDL Development turned to top-down construction methods to help compress the construction schedule on the 2.2-million-square-foot One Chicago residential mixed-use development in Chicago. The $500-million development features two residential towers --- one 77-stories, the other 49-stories --- connected by a 10-story podium and four levels of underground parking. The basement levels of the project were excavated simultaneously with the erection of the vertical structure above.
6.) Taking the Pressure Off Pressure Testing
The Haskell Company, a Florida-based AEC consulting firm, has developed equipment called RAPTOR (which stands for Remote Activated Pressure Testing Observation and Recording) that minimizes risk via WIFI-enabled remote testing by operators outside of a site's exclusion zone. RAPTOR is not only safer but less labor-intensive. Its design includes quick-connect ports for efficient setup and teardown, a wireless gauge for accurate PSI monitoring, and robust failsafe systems such as pressure-release and abort functions.
Next week: Eight AEC Firm Operations
In January 2024, the Building Design + Construction editorial team invited the nation's largest architecture, engineering, and construction firms to submit their single-biggest innovation from the past 24 months. More than 80 firms responded with well more than 100 submissions. The editors selected the 41 Great Solutions.
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A valuable benefit of an MBEX membership is invitations to our social and educational events; by being an employee of a member company, you too can take advantage and attend any and all MBEX-sponsored events.
** indicates a newly added event
September 18 - Bluebeam 6: Administrative Professionals
Administrative teams have unique document workflows that demand a different set of tools compared to design and construction teams. Register Here
September 19 - MBEX Online Plan Room Demo
From navigating the Deskpad, setting up filters, understanding project information, and adding your company to a project's bidders lists, this free one-hour session is a great introduction to our Online Plan Room. Time is saved at the end of the demonstration for questions and answers. Register Here
September 19 - Bluebeam 7: Civil Workflows
Yes, there are tools in Bluebeam Revu for Civil Designers and Engineers! Not only will students learn navigation and markups, but also work flows like Calibrating Plan & Profile drawings with different X-Y scales, ideas for Cut & Fill calculations, combining several PDFs into one large area map, and adding images. Register Here
October 3 & 4 - Reading Construction Documents
Designed to quickly familiarize students with the basics of reading and understanding construction documents, this two-part online program is perfect for apprentices, entry-level tradespersons, project coordinators, assistant project managers, new project managers, estimators, specialty sales representatives, entry-level architectural or engineering designers, or anyone in career transition looking for a refresher. Register Here
October 9 - Q3 Construction Economic Update & Forecast
With less than a month before Americans head to the polls for a presidential election, ABC Chief Economist Anirban Basu will share the latest on overall economic conditions as well as specific construction indicators, including materials prices, jobs and unemployment reports, construction wages, the most recent ABC Construction Confidence Index and Construction Backlog Indicator reports, and the hottest market sectors and regions. Register Now
October 10 - MBEX Fall Social
Featuring MBEX POWER's 2nd Annual Self-Care Health Fair
Join us at the annual MBEX Fall Social for an afternoon of inspiration and connection. Back again is the 2nd Annual Self-Care Health Fair, presented by MBEX POWER, to present both members and non-members alike opportunities to explore ways to better their mental and physical well-beings. Register Now
** October 14-18 - Construction Inclusion Week
Construction Inclusion Week (CIW) amplifies awareness while celebrating diversity, equity, and inclusion throughout the industry to spearhead change. Become involved and participate by planning your company's and firm's own internal activities. Learn More
** October 17 - MBEX Online Plan Room Demo
From navigating the Deskpad, setting up filters, understanding project information, and adding your company to a project's bidders lists, this free one-hour session is a great introduction to our Online Plan Room. Time is saved at the end of the demonstration for questions and answers. Not yet open for registration.
** November 28 & 29 - MBEX Closed - Thanksgiving
MBEX will be closed on Thursday, November 28 and Friday, November 29 for the Thanksgiving holiday. We'll return to regular business hours on Monday, December 2.
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Ebert Companies is a professional and long-standing commercial general contractor that is currently seeking a detail-oriented and motivated individual for their Concrete Estimator / Project Manager position in their Self-Performing Division.
The ideal candidate must be:
- Positive
- Self-motivated
- Able to multi-task in a fast-paced environment
Compensation includes a health and dental benefits package; health and flexible spending accounts; life, long- and short-term disability insurance; 401(k) with match program; and holiday and vacation time.
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Five construction-related headlines you need to read over the next coffee break.
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ECONOMIC REPORT
📝 Planning Activity Jumps Ahead of Fed Meeting
Ahead of next year's anticipated stronger market conditions, owners and developers continued to prime the planning queue in August. The Dodge Momentum Index increased 2.9%, according to Dodge Construction Network. Commercial planning, such as office, industrial and hotel projects, jumped 1.9% in August, while institutional planning, which includes education, life sciences and healthcare projects, surged 5.7% over the month. (Construction Dive)
3-D PRINTING
🌎 Swiss Researchers Develop Robotic Additive Manufacturing Method That Uses Earth-Based Materials --- And Not Cement
According to a press statement from ETH Zurich, a university in Switzerland, the robotic printing process, called impact printing, uses cheap, abundant, and low-carbon earth-based materials such as clay or excavated earth. Currently, the robotic additive manufacturing method uses a mix of excavated materials, silt, and clay. With ETH Zurich's method, a robot deposits material from above, gradually building a wall. On impact, the pieces of material bond together, with minimal additives. (Building Design + Construction)
SUICIDE PREVENTION
🆘 Male Construction Workers Face 75% Higher Suicide Rate
Construction workers --- men in particular --- are committing suicide at a rate that's 75% higher than the general population, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It's a number that keeps climbing. Construction Suicide Prevention Week was September 9-13, and the week-long event's goals focused on breaking down the stigma surrounding these issues, exploring stretching to talks to mental health training. (Scripps News)
LABOR + WORKFORCE
🔭 U.S. Releases Ten-Year Construction Labor Forecast
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) released a ten-year forecast projecting a 5.6% increase in construction employment. The August report also forecasts installation, maintenance, and repair occupations to grow 5.3% in the next decade. Construction and maintenance occupations held the top two spots on the list of the fastest-growing jobs over the next decade. Wind turbine service technicians and solar photovoltaic installers are expected to add 20,000 jobs between 2023 and 2033. (Construct Connect)
NEW DESIGN + CONSTRUCTION PRODUCTS
🦺 12 Product Highlights from Pro Builder's July / August Issue
From ColdVest from ColdVentures for jobsite heat safety to Piaggio Fast Forward's robot flatbed named Kilo, this summer saw a variety of product releases, including helpful tools for the construction industry, new lighting styles, outdoor collections, and more. (Pro Builder)
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Denver Developer Proposes Major Data Center Project in Farmington | |
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Read more about this project on Finance & Commerce
Tract, a Denver-based data center developer, wants to bring roughly 2.5-million-square-feet of cloud infrastructure space to a Farmington site that includes the Fountain Valley Golf Course and existing school district property.
Initial site plans for the proposed Farmington Technology Park show up to 12 data center buildings and two administrative buildings on a 342-acre site south of 220th Street and east of Chippendale Avenue.
Included in the plans are 1.6-million-square-feet of data center space on a "northern campus" and 933,800-square-feet on a "southern campus," according to a city staff report.
The applicant wants to rezone the development site, which includes three lots in all, to "mixed-use commercial / industrial," which allows data centers.
Farmington's planning manager said in an email that the city received an application for the project in July. The planning commission will make a recommendation to the city council on the preliminary plan / planned unit development and rezoning applications.
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ABOVE PHOTO: A map of the planned Tract development, courtesy of the City of Farmington. | |
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Unlock the Power of AI in AEC: How Treating Data Like LEGO® Bricks Can Impact Your Firm's Success
Presented by AGC of America | Hosted by Egnyte
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DATE: Wednesday, September 25
TIME: 1:00pm CST | 2:00pm EST
LOCATION: Online Webinar
COST: Free for AGC Members & Non-Members
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Join Egnyte and fellow AEC industry peers for an interactive, informative, and fun virtual event.
Egnyte’s AEC Practice Leader, Kevin Soohoo, will discuss parallels between data management and building with LEGO® bricks. He also will discuss how, with the right data governance approach, an AEC firm can be set up for success, especially when preparing for the integration of AI.
Learn about:
- Why Data is Key: AI thrives on well-organized and integrated data. Learn how to optimize your data for AI success.
- Why Standardization Matter - Discover the importance of meta data and file-naming conventions for AI accuracy.
- Ethical AI - Explore the ethical considerations of using AI in AEC, including data privacy and security.
- User Permissions - Understand how to align user permissions with AI access for seamless integration.
- Precise Answers - Learn how to ensure AI solutions provide accurate and reliable information with supporting evidence.
Register and attend to qualify to receive a LEGO® Architecture set (choose from 1 of 4 options). Qualified attendees will be contacted after the event to coordinate shipping and logistics.
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Call for Speakers / Presentations for the Minnesota Transportation Conference & Expo | Presented by MTC&E
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DEADLINE: Tuesday, October 15
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Join MTC&E as a speaker at the most significant transportation event for Minnesota engineers and contractors from the public and private sectors. Approximately 1,600 attendees and 100 exhibitors will participate in the 2025 conference.
Throughout the conference, programs of interest to industry leaders and staff from small, medium, and large municipalities, counties, tribes, agencies, universities, consultants, and contractors were offered. All program attendees will be awarded professional development hours for their participation.
MTC&E is looking for speakers that have knowledge in the following topics:
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• Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the Workplace
• Asset Management
• Bridges and Structures
• Climate & Environment / Sustainability & Resilience
• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
• Emergency / Disaster Response
• Emerging Technologies
• Freight / Logistics / Supply Chain
• Individual Development Plans
• Innovative Contracting
• Legalized Marijuana
• Local Roads / Projects
• Mental Health in the Workplace
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• Multi-Modal / Active Transportation System
• Partnerships / Collaborations
• Planning
• Policy and Funding
• Project Management
• Public Engagement
• Recruitment
• Retention
• Safety
• Sustainable Materials
• Traffic and Safety
• Training Opportunities
• Tribal Relations
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What information is needed to submit an abstract:
• Name and Contract information of Speaker(s)
• Title of Presentation
• Learning Objective (300 characters max.)
• Presentation Details (10,000 characters max.)
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Benefit of the Week: Kwik Trip - Fleet Fueling Program | |
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KwikTrip wants MBEX members to save
7¢ per gallon on gasoline and diesel at KwikTrip locations.
Additional discounts include:
- 10% off most in-store purchases, including car washes and auto supplies
- KwikTrip Programs, such as DataTracker, Extended Fleet, and the Business Plus MasterCard
- Ability to track transactions
- Customized security and restrictions
- Detailed expense reporting
- Online account management
Ready to get started?
We have a new KwikTrip representative, and he can help with any questions regarding the program or to get your business set up to save.
Contact Noah Skifton today: (608) 351-7168 or nskifton@kwiktrip.com.
You can also download this informational flyer.
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PROJECT INFORMATION + UPDATES | |
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• Total Projects Received at MBEX from 9/9/2024 - 9/13/2024: 75
• Total Projects Leads Reported on at MBEX from 9/9/2024 - 9/13/2024: 16
• Total Active Projects Received/Reported on at MBEX as of 9/17/2024: 311
• Total Projects in the Online Plan Room as of 9/17/2024: 3,399
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Click the button above to view the most recent project data from 9/11/2024-9/17/2024.
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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UPCOMING MBEX EVENTS
• September 18- Bluebeam 6: Administrative Professionals
• September 19 - Online Plan Room Demo
• September 19 - Bluebeam 7: Civil Workflows
• October 3 & 4 - Reading Construction Documents online class
• October 9 - Q3 Construction Economic Update and Forecast
• October 10 - MBEX Fall Social - featuring the 2nd Annual Self-Care Health Fair
• October 17 - Online Plan Room Demo
• October 14-18 - Construction Inclusion Week 2024
• November 28 & 29 - MBEX Closed for Thanksgiving
• December 5 - Holiday Party North
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Connect with the Builders Exchange: | |
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Information within the MBEX Weekly Bulletin are 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.
2024 BOARD OFFICERS: President - Mike Carlson, Max Gray Construction; Vice President - Heidi Sedlacek, KLJ Engineering; Treasurer - Brian Kalla, St. Cloud Acoustics; Past President - Greg Grazzini, Grazzini Brothers | 2024 DIRECTORS: Allie Brady, Veit; Kevin Bohrer, Donlar Construction; David Brandt, Schadegg Mechanical; Jason DuVal, Tenet; Chuck Geisler, Iron Eagle Industrial Services; Chris Niemand, Frattalone Companies; Sean Ochis, Northern Industrial Insulation; Jason Rentmeester, Kraus-Anderson Construction; and Nate Sapik, Benson Electric Company | STAFF: David Siegel - Executive Director; Julie Miller - Executive Assistant/Project Coordinator/Accounting; Ashlee Hartwig - Membership & Communications Manager; Melanie Hendrickson - Events & Membership Coordinator; Don O'Connor - Duluth Director; Jeff Boelter - Project Acquisition & IT; Shauna Baska, Peggy Esboldt, Michelle Siegel & Ka Yang - 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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