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Issue No. 35 • Wednesday, September 3, 2025 • www.mbex.org
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Oofda, MBEXers. This week started off with the Mondayest of Tuesdays. Coming back after Labor Day is always a little bumpy, and with our big server move last week, technology decided to test our patience (and yours). Even the best laid plans can hit a snag --- be it tariffs, supply chain delays, or that little virus called COVID-19. Ever heard of it? 🙃
So first, thank you for hanging in there and rolling with us through a few tech hiccups. Just like a jobsite surprise, we adjusted and kept moving forward. I know this crew (ahem, YOU!) can handle way bigger challenges. We've got this. (And if you need a pick-me-up, I recommend a strong coffee and maybe a donut...works in lifting my mood every time 😉☕🍩)
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Five Quick Things To Know & Do This Week:
1.) Update Our Address - We're officially moved out of our old digs. Please update your records with our new office address: 3800 American Blvd W, STE 780, Bloomington, Minn., 55431.
3.) Midyear Reports - Skanska, DPR, and Gilbane all assembled 2025 midyear construction outlooks and common headwinds cited include tariff impacts on activity, tight credit, and immigration enforcement, all challenges likely to continue into 2026. They also flagged opportunities in select sectors, including infrastructure and water supply segments.
4.) "Build Community" - Next week, September 8-12, is Construction Suicide Prevention Week. While the factors that lead to suicide are complex, research shows that loneliness puts someone at a greater risk for suicidal behavior. Employment is just one way in which people can form community, and this year's theme (Build Community) focuses on just that. Construction workers build roads, homes, bridges, schools, churches...places of connection, for others, every day. But in building for others, they can also build community for one another.
2.) Minimum-Wage Rates - Minnesota's minimum-wage rate will be adjusted on January 1, 2026, to $11.41 an hour for all employers in the state. As part of Minnesota's employee notice requirement, employers are required to provide each employee with a written notice of any change before the change takes effect, including a change to the employee's rate of pay.
5.) Pro Tip - In construction, attention to detail is everything. Choose your font styles wisely ✨✨
And one more thing - We recently learned that Roger Miller, a past MBEX Executive Director, spent a few days at United Hospital following a stroke. Thankfully, Roger is now happily back at home with his wife, Renee, with speech and physical therapy in the days to come. If you'd like to reach out and send well wishes to Roger and Renee, they can be reached at remiller@usfamily.net.
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Inside This Issue:
• Next Week: Register for Sporting Clays North happening on September 10
• Economic Report: August sees the construction industry beginning to stall
• In Review: A look at MBEX's progress over the past 31 days
• Tariff Deal: U.S. and E.U. agreement provides clarity and detail, includes lumber, steel & copper updates
• MBEX Events: Grow Your Business With Modern Technology webinar, our next Online Plan Room, and a Q3 Construction Economic Update & Forecast
• Five Headlines: An autumn starts forecast predicts civil construction to remain strong; Trade associations and companies are expanding apprenticeship programs and industry-specific education; What useful jobs robots can (and can't) do on job sites; OSHA extends deadline to comment on 20 recently proposed rules; and a 1,000-square-foot house printed out of soil with zero concrete included
• Project of the Week: New 180-unit multi-family project advances in Mankato
• Industry Event: The Power of One: Succeeding Without a Staff - MnDOT Small Business Training Program - September 8
• Member Benefits: Get where you're going for less with Hertz
| | Register by Friday (9/5) for Sporting Clays North | | |
Swap the office for the outdoors, sharpen your aim, and enjoy a day of friendly competition with fellow members up north on September 10 at Sporting Clays North at the Old Vermillion Trail Hunting Preserve.
Whether you’re an experienced shooter or brand-new to the sport, this event is designed for everyone. Bring your crew, invite clients, or team up with new faces to strengthen relationships in an unconventional way.
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Date: Tuesday, September 10
Location: Old Vermilion Trail Hunting Preserve (6980 Old Vermillion Trail, Duluth, Minn., 55803)
Schedule:
• 2:00pm – Registration & Lunch
• 2:45pm – Mandatory Safety Talk (all shooters)
• 3:00pm – Shotgun Start (2 courses, 20 stations)
• 4:30pm – Flurry & Social Hour
• 5:30pm – Dinner (BBQ Buffet)
• 6:00pm – Awards & Prizes
Cost: $100 per shooter (maximum of 5 shooters per team)
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Lunch, camaraderie, and a post-shoot gathering make the day just as much about connecting as it is about clays.
Sponsorship opportunities are also available. Sponsoring is a great way to show your support while getting your company in front of MBEX members. Contact Don O'Connor with any questions: don@mbex.org | (218) 722-2836
Get away from the office and the jobsite calls with MBEX to take in Old Vermillion Trail, breathe in the crisp fall air and take aim at a fun afternoon. See you there!
**Registration closes on Friday, September 5 at 3:00pm.**
| | ECONOMIC REPORT: Construction Industry Starts to Stall | | |
The construction industry continues to lose momentum as spending continues to fall and hiring remains sluggish. While contractor backlog is still elevated, material price escalation accelerated in July, and ongoing input cost increases have the potential to weigh on contractor profit margins over the next several months.
Nonresidential Construction Spending Falls for Sixth Time in Seven Months
Nonresidential construction spending inched lower in June and is now down 0.5% over the past year. The private sector has performed particularly poorly, with private nonesidential spending down 4.0% since June 2024. This decline would be worse if not for surging data center investment.
Input Prices Continue to Escalate
Construction input price escalation continued to accelerate in July and nonresidential input prices have now risen at a 5.8% annualized rate during the first seven months of 2025. The effects of tariffs are beginning to surface in the data. Copper wire and cable prices, for instance, surged 5% in July and are now up 12.2% over the past year.
Overall Employment Growth Slows to a Crawl
The construction industry has added just 7,000 jobs over the past four months. While the nonresidential segment has significantly outperformed the residential segment, which has lost jobs over the past year, industry-wide hiring remains extraordinarily low by historical standards.
Backlog Rebounds, Contractors Still Confident
ABC's Construction Backlog Indicator rose to 8.8-months in July, signaling that contractors remain busy despite signs of industry-wide weakness in other data series. While contractor confidence slipped in July, according to ABC's Construction Confidence Index, contractors remain broadly upbeat about the next six months.
Spending (Millions of Dollars)
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Looking Ahead
With construction spending in decline, the labor market stagnant and the effects of tariffs only just beginning to surface, the industry would benefit greatly from lower borrowing costs. Unfortunately, there are signs that economy-wide inflation is rebounding, reducing the odds of a rate cut at the Federal Reserve's September meeting.
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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 August 1-31, 2025.
| | Total # of Projects Added (August 2025) | | Total # of Projects Added (August 2024) | | Total # of Projects YTD (Jan. 1-Aug. 31) | | New Member Companies Joined | | | | |
No. of Members & Non-Members
Added to Bidders Lists
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Top 10 Most Viewed Projects (August 1-31, 2025)
** indicates project is still actively bidding
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(1.) Landfall Storm Shelter & Community Center
• Total Visitors: 5,643
• Total Unique Visitors: 436
• Bid Date: August 22, 2025
• Project Location: St. Paul, Minn.
• Project Category: Local Government
• Project Type: New Construction
• Project ID: 2025-0CB0
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(2.) Light Rail Training Center - Renovation Phase II - Metropolitan Council
• Total Visitors: 4,771
• Total Unique Visitors: 362
• Bid Date: September 3, 2025
• Project Location: Minneapolis, Minn.
• Project Category: Local Government
• Project Type: Remodeling / Renovation
• Project ID: 2025-0C0A
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(3.) White Earth Nation -
Clifton Place Remodel
• Total Visitors: 4,349
• Total Unique Visitors: 330
• Bid Date: August 19, 2025
• Project Location: Minneapolis, Minn.
• Project Category: Residential
• Project Type: Remodeling
• Project ID: 2025-0C7A
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(4.) Chisago County Probations
Office Renovation
• Total Visitors: 4,208
• Total Unique Visitors: 347
• Bid Date: August 14, 2025
• Project Location: Center City, Minn.
• Project Category: Office Building
• Project Type: Remodeling / Renovation
• Project ID: 2025-0CBD
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(5.) Locke Park Water Treatment Plant - GAC Treatment Addition
• Total Visitors: 3,918
• Total Unique Visitors: 330
• Bid Date: August 21, 2025
• Project Location: Fridley, Minn.
• Project Category: Wastewater / Water Treatment
• Project Type: Addition
• Project ID: 2025-0C19
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(6.) Hotel Mankato -
Bid Package 3 (Building)
• Total Visitors: 3,487
• Total Unique Visitors: 312
• Bid Date: September 4, 2025
• Project Location: Mankato, Minn.
• Project Category: Local Government
• Project Type: New Construction
• Project ID: 2025-0D33 **
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(7.) Mountain Lake Power Plant
• Total Visitors: 3,391
• Total Unique Visitors: 323
• Bid Date: September 2, 2025
• Project Location: Mountain Lake, Minn.
• Project Category: Local Government
• Project Type: New Construction
• Project ID: 2025-0C91
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(8.) Addition & Renovation - Age
Facility - Minneapolis / St. Paul
Air Reserve Station
• Total Visitors: 3,258
• Total Unique Visitors: 318
• Bid Date: September 8, 2025
• Project Location: Minneapolis / St. Paul, Minn.
• Project Category: Military
• Project Type: Remodeling
• Project ID: 2025-0CDC **
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(9.) North View Middle School -
Pool Infill Project - Osseo Area Schools - ISD 279
• Total Visitors: 2,991
• Total Unique Visitors: 342
• Bid Date: September 9, 2025
• Project Location: Brooklyn Park, Minn.
• Project Category: Educational
• Project Type: Improvements
• Project ID: 2025-0CA7 **
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(10.) Deephaven Elementary School - Window & HVAC Replacement - Minnetonka Public School - ISD 276
• Total Visitors: 2,888
• Total Unique Visitors: 313
• Bid Date: August 26, 2025
• Project Location: Wayzata, Minn.
• Project Category: Educational
• Project Type: Replacement
• Project ID: 2025-0CCD
| | EU Tariff Deal Includes Lumber, Steel & Copper | | |
The United States and the European Union formalized the terms of the framework trade agreement the two trading partners announced at the end of July, per a joint statement published by the White House on August 28th.
The statement provides additional clarity and detail surrounding the terms the U.S. president and European Union president shared following negotiations in Scotland on July 27th, including a 15% tariff on EU imports by the U.S. The two trading partners will "promptly document" the agreement, per the statement.
Under the agreement, the U.S. committed to apply either a tariff of 15% or a most favored nation duty rate on EU imports, with the higher of the two to be enforced. The U.S. will set a cap of 15% on tariffs for imports of pharmaceuticals, semiconductors and lumber, per the statement. Those sectors are currently under Section 232 investigation. Similar probes have led to sector-specific tariffs of up to 50%.
For steel and aluminum imports, the two trading partners said they would "consider the possibility" of cooperating on ring-fencing their domestic markets to protect against overcapacity.
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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 or updated event
September 4 - Bluebeam 7: Civil Workflows
Class attendees will go through not only navigation and markups, but workflows 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
**September 10 - WEBINAR: Grow Your Contractor Business with Modern Mobile Technology Strategies & Tools
The right mobile technology stack can help construction leaders monitor everything in a way that will increase productivity and strengthen your market position. Learn what it takes for established businesses to land on a mix of modern technologies, software, and tools that ensure your office and jobsites are always connected to grow your business. Presented by Construction Executive. Register Here
September 10 - Sporting Clays North - Registration closes at 3:00pm on Sept. 5
Get yours shotguns locked and loaded. MBEX is headed north for its annual Sporting Clays North event. Whether an ace shooter or a total rookie, this will be a fun, low-pressure afternoon with colleagues and fellow industry professionals that includes a delicious BBQ buffet for dinner. Register Here
September 25 - Online Plan Room Demo - Sign Up by 3:30pm on Wed., Sept. 24
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. Register Here
October 8 - 2025 Q3 Construction Economic Update & Forecast
Get informed on general economic conditions affecting the current construction landscape as well a construction-specific economic indicators, including the hottest regions and market sectors, the latest on materials and labor costs, and predictive indicators such as the AIA's Architecture Billings Index and ABC's Construction Confidence Index and Construction Backlog Indicator. Presented by Construction Executive with Anirban Basu, ABC's chief economist. Sign Up
October 9 - Fall Social
Network with industry professionals, share insights, and build relationships in a relaxed and lively atmosphere at the Oak Ridge Country Club in Hopkins, Minn. Whether catching up with old friends or making new connections, this event is the perfect way to strengthen your ties within the construction community. Register Here
October 29 - MBEX Young Professionals Network (YPN)
From college students, graduates and interns, to those just getting started within the construction industry, the MBEX Young Professionals Network creates a place for emerging young professionals ages 40 and under who are involved in the construction industry to join together at the early stages of their career to connect and begin networking. Register Here
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Five construction-related headlines you need to read over the next coffee break.
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ECONOMIC FORECAST
🍂 Autumn Construction Starts Forecast: Civil Construction to Lead, Megaprojects Lift Outlook
ConstructConnect has slightly upgraded their 2025 outlook for total U.S. construction starts to a 1% increase. The revised outlook reflects cautious optimism despite persistent headwinds from higher costs and tariff uncertainty. The revision marks an improvement over earlier expectations, though the overall environment remains challenging. Civil construction is forecast to remain the strongest summary category, but they have upgraded their Nonresidential Building outlook as large megaprojects support the sector's performance. Residential starts are expected to decline across both Single- and Multi-Family construction. (ConstructConnect News)
LABOR & WORKFORCE
🎒 Back to School, Back to Reality
If there was a silver lining from COVID, it was the renewed vigor for the trades. College enrollment experienced a significant decline during the pandemic, and it still lags behind pre-pandemic numbers. At the same time, tradespeople were deemed essential workers and hailed as superheroes, one could say. But it was also during this time that a growing group of young men and women eager to get into the trades were hired solely on their willingness to work, their drive and their grit, instead of merit and education alone. (Contractor)
ARTIFICAL INTELLIGENCE | ROBOTICS
🦾 What Useful Jobs Can Robots Perform On Sites (And What Can't They Do)?
Construction sites present some of the toughest environments for automation but could the specter of AI-powered robots taking jobs from humans be on the horizon? Yes and no, according to a new report from management consulting firm McKinsey. Uneven terrain, variable weather, unpredictable workflows and diverse materials make construction sites harder to navigate than the controlled conditions of warehouses or factories. But according to McKinsey's report, advances in "general-purpose" machines powered by embodied AI and capable of adapting to different tasks are starting to open up new possibilities even in this sector. (Construction Briefing)
JOBSITE SAFETY
🦺 OSHA Offers More Time to Comment on 20 Recently Proposed Rules
OSHA has extended to November 1st the deadline to comment on 20 of the 25 proposed rules the agency published on July 1st. One of the proposals concerns the enforcement of the General Duty Clause. OSHA is seeking to codify the principle that the General Duty Clause doesn't authorize the agency to "prohibit, restrict, or penalize inherently risky activities that are intrinsic to professional, athletic, or entertainment occupations." OSHA is also proposing to end its recordkeeping and reporting requirements for COVID-19 exposure in health care, as well as rescind its construction illumination requirements in 1926.26 and 1926.56. (Safety + Health)
GREEN TECH | INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS
🏠 Engineers Printed a 1,000-Square-Foot House Out of Soil --- No Concrete Needed
Although many parts of the world need more affordable housing, a construction boom also brings with it significant greenhouse gas emissions. An architectural firm in Japan is using industrial-scale 3D printers --- an already more climate-friendly approach to construction --- to create homes made entirely from local soil. Called the "Lib Earth House Model B," the home is five times stronger than the company's previous model and includes an integrated in-wall condensation detection system for constant monitoring of the home's stability. (Popular Mechanics)
| | Mankato Advances 180-Unit Apartments | | |
Read more on Finance & Commerce
A proposal to bring new multi-family housing to Mankato has advanced after a positive review from a city planning body.
The Mankato Planning Commission unanimously recommended approval of a preliminary plat for Victory Ridge Apartments, which would create 180 apartments in four buildings.
The project, developed by Kuepers, Inc. (Brainerd), will be up for city council review in September. Kuepers Inc. told the planning commission that construction could begin next spring.
The 14.83-acre project site is at the northeast corner of Victory Drive and Dublin Road. City documents reveal that the property is zoned "Office Residential," where "grouped housing projects are classified as conditional uses."
Supporting site improvements include four garages, on-site parking designed to provide two stalls per unit, and associated residential amenities.
Victory Ridge Apartments isn't the only large multi-family project in Mankato's pipeline.
Also in the works is Mesenbrink Development's multi-year project, which will bring hundreds of new housing units to the southeast corner of 589th Avenue and Hoffman Road. This development includes 713 apartments, 112 single-family homes, and retail uses.
| | ABOVE PHOTO: Conceptual rendering of the proposed 180-unit apartment complex in Mankato, courtesy of Kuepers, Inc. | | |
The Power of One: Succeeding Without a Staff
Presented by MnDOT Small Business Training Programs
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Shelly Binsfield, president of Rock Leaf Water Environmental, knows what it is like to do everything yourself. She has experience working on the business while working in the business.
This session will spark conversation about the trade-offs, the wins and creative approaches. Come ready to share your stories and connect with other small business owners who understand what it's like to work alone.
Please contact Carolyn Fackler with any questions: carolyn.fackler@drbteam.com
| | Save on Your Next Trip with Hertz | | Get where you're going for less; whether it's for work or play! | | |
Through our partnership with National Purchasing Partners (NPP), members can enjoy exclusive discounts on Hertz car rentals for both business and personal.
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Take advantage of special contract pricing on a wide range of vehicles, including sedans, SUVs, trucks, electric vehicles, 12-passenger vans, and box trucks (where available). Choose from convenient airport or neighborhood locations, weekly or monthly rates, and more.
Plus, when you activate this offer, you'll enjoy FREE enrollment in Hertz Gold Plus Rewards for enhanced benefits, making your travel even smoother.
Sign up with NPP for free to unlock this offer and more. Enroll your business here.
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National Purchasing Partners (NPP) is a trusted savings and solutions provider for businesses and their employees. By leveraging the purchasing power of more than 350,000 members, NPP can provide top discounts and special B2B pricing to businesses of all sizes. NPP members enjoy exclusive deals on a catalog of useful items for both work and play. Membership is free and there is never an obligation to purchase.
Plus, when you enroll via our special NPP sign-up page, MBEX receives a small royalty to further support our member services.
| | PROJECT INFORMATION + UPDATES | | |
• Total Projects Received at MBEX from 8/25/2025 - 8/29/2025: 64
• Total Project Leads Reported on at MBEX from 8/25/2025 - 8/29/2025: 12
• Total Active Projects Received / Reported on at MBEX as of 9/2/2025: 252
• Total New Projects in the Online Plan Room as of 9/2/2025: 3,684
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Click the button above to view the most recent project data from 8/27/2025 - 9/2/2025.
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 4 - Bluebeam 7: Civil Workflows
• September 10 - WEBINAR: Grow Your Contractor Business with Modern Mobile Technology Strategies & Tools
• September 10 - Sporting Clays North
• September 25 - Online Plan Room Demo
• October 8 - 2025 Q3 Construction Economic Update & Forecast
• October 9 - MBEX Fall Social
• October 16 - Online Plan Room Demo
• October 29 - MBEX Young Professionals Network (YPN)
• November 11 - [VIRTUAL CLASS] Construction Estimating Principles & Application
• November 11 & 12 - Construction Talent Acquisition Conference with Project Build Minnesota
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Connect with the Builders Exchange: | | |
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.
2025 BOARD OFFICERS: President - Heidi Sedlacek, KLJ Engineering; Vice President - Brian Kalla, St. Cloud Acoustics; Treasurer - Sean Ochis, Northern Industrial Insulation; Past President - Mike Carlson, Max Gray Construction
2025 DIRECTORS: Kevin Bohrer, Donlar Construction; Ben Bowman, Adolfson & Peterson; Allie Brady, Veit; David Brandt, Schadegg Mechanical; Amanda Eiynk, BUILD Renewables; Matt Lennartson, RJM Construction; Chris Niemand, Frattalone Companies; Jason Rentmeester, Kraus-Anderson Construction; and Nate Sapik, Benson Electric Company
MBEX STAFF: David Siegel - Executive Director; Julie Miller - Executive Assistant/Project Coordinator/Accounting; Ashlee Hartwig - Membership & Communications Manager; 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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