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Five Quick Things To Know / Do This Week:
1.) HAPPY HOLIDAYS: MBEX's holiday hours begin on December 23. Please take note of closure dates as well as when our physical office will be closed (with staff working remotely).
2.) RENEW: There are 14 days left of 2024! Please submit your 2025 membership renewal payments by December 31 or your company's plan room access will be turned off. Mail payment or call Julie to today.
3.) VOTE: Submit your online ballot for the 2025 MBEX Board of Directors by December 27. Didn't receive your ballot (or unsure you did)? Email Ashlee for assistance.
4.) REGISTER: Join us on January 15 for the MBEX Annual Meeting & Luncheon, where special guest speaker Kate Bischoff, a Minneapolis-based human resources and employment / labor law attorney, will share key insights on employment law changes coming in 2025 and how members can be best prepared.
5.) SHOP: A few last-minute gift ideas for the construction worker in your life.
IN BRIEF:
• Join In: Sign up for the last Online Plan Room Demo of 2024
• On Hold: Court hits pause on the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA)
• Renew Now: Avoid plan room disruption by submitting 2025 renewals by 12/31
• Tariff Talk: Why contractors should include escalation clauses in contracts
• Five Headlines: Three construction technology trends to watch in 2025, holiday mental health check-ins, managing subcontracts amid Trump's immigration plans, plus two more
• Project of the Week: $500M redevelopment advances in Moorhead
• Industry Events: Save the date for the St. Paul Supplier Fair
• Member Benefits: Kwik Trip's Fleet Discount program
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SIGN UP: Online Plan Room Demo | |
Join MBEX staff for a free online walk-through of our digital platform to learn the basics, refresh yourself on its offered tools, or to explore if our plan room would benefit your business. | |
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• DATE: Thursday, December 19
• TIME: 9:00am - 10:00am CST
• LOCATION: Online via Zoom
• COST: Free!
• REGISTER BY: 3:30pm the day before (Wednesday, December 18)
From the Deskpad to setting up project search filters, to project information to bidders lists, this 60-minute session is a great introduction to our Online Plan Room. Time is saved at the end for questions and answers.
About MBEX's Online Plan Room
Our modern and innovative online plan room is designed to bring our members the latest in Minnesota's commercial construction project news and bidding opportunities as well as projects from Iowa, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin.
Our reporters work hard behind the scenes to post complete project details along with viewable plans and specs (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.
Once posted, members can easily access a project's scope, view plans, specs and addenda, download needed files, and contact key players. Members can also manage email notifications for timely notices of newly posted projects, new filter results, and addenda notifications.
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Corporate Transparency Act On Hold...For Now! | |
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What's Happening?
The U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas hit pause on the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA). The case—Texas Top Cop Shop, Inc. v. Garland—challenged whether the CTA is even constitutional.
This means businesses don’t have to file their Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) Report right now. Judge Mazzant III made it clear he doesn’t think the government’s arguments about the CTA hold up under the Constitution. His exact words: “The Government is unable to provide the Court with any tenable theory that the CTA falls within Congress’s power.”
The government isn’t backing down, though. They’ve already appealed, and now it’s heading to the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals. Who knows—this case could even make it all the way to the Supreme Court.
What Are Next Steps?
For now, the filing requirements for the CTA are on hold. But here’s the thing: businesses should stay sharp. This case is still in motion, and the rules could change again. If you haven’t already, it’s a good idea to figure out who your beneficial owners are and get all your info in order, just in case you need to file later.
Opinions differ on what to do next. Some groups are saying, “Go ahead and file if you’re comfortable sharing the info,” while others are waving their flags and telling everyone to hold tight. Bottom line: it’s up to you to decide what feels right for your business.
Stay tuned—the case is underway, and things could shift again.
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It's Time to Renew Your MBEX Membership! | |
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As 2024 comes to a close, it's time to secure your spot in the region's leading construction community. Don't let your MBEX membership expire --- renew today!
Why Renew?
1.) Stay in the Know: Keep accessing thousands of projects in our Online Plan Room to win more bids and grow your business.
2.) Expand Your Network: Connect with industry professionals and decision-makers at exclusive MBEX events throughout the year.
3.) Members-Only Perks: Enjoy continued savings on services, cutting-edge insights, and resources tailored to your success.
Act Now! Renew by December 31, 2024 to keep building with MBEX in 2025 and to avoid plan room disruptions.
Invoices and statements were sent via email in November and December to all member companies; please either mail a check to MBEX's Minneapolis office or call Julie to pay with a credit card (a $45 service fee will apply).
Questions? Contact either Julie or Ashlee below.
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Tariff Talk: Escalation Clauses in Construction Contracts | |
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Think back to 2019. Contractors were hit hard by sudden material price spikes from tariffs during President Trump’s first term. Then fast-forward to 2021—COVID-19 threw another wrench into the works with surging material prices and delivery delays.
The summer of 2021 was especially brutal for homebuilders grappling with skyrocketing lumber prices. And if you were buying steel back then, you probably needed nerves of steel to handle the costs.
With Trump making tariffs a foreign policy priority again, Attorney Kenneth E. Rubinstein suggests contractors protect themselves by adding material price escalation clauses into new fixed-price construction contracts. These clauses, Rubinstein says, could’ve helped during both the first Trump Administration and the pandemic.
Back in 2019, many contractors who didn’t lock in prices with suppliers before tariffs hit ended up bearing the higher costs, since most standard-form contracts didn’t let them recover the difference.
Negotiating price escalation clauses now can provide relief if unexpected price jumps occur. Typically, these clauses allow contractors to request a change order to adjust the contract price—usually triggered when material costs increase by more than 10%. While they don’t cover normal price fluctuations, they offer protection against the kind of major surges we’ve seen before.
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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
December 19 - 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 Now
December 25 & 26 - MBEX Closed - Christmas
MBEX will be closed on Tuesday, December 24 and Wednesday, December 25 for the Christmas holiday. Our physical office will be closed on Thursday, December 26 and Friday, December 27 (staff will be working remotely).
December 31 & January 1 - MBEX Closed - New Years
MBEX will be closed on Tuesday, December 31 and Wednesday, January 1 to celebrate the end of 2024 and welcome the start of 2025. Our physical office will be closed on Monday, December 30 (staff will be working remotely). MBEX will return to regular business hours on Thursday, January 2.
January 14 - Construction Estimating Principles & Application
Great estimators know that to be competitive and competent in the current market, their companies must continually be in search of an edge, answering the question: "How can we approach this project differently than our competition?" This virtual and interactive training workshop taught by Troy DeGroot with UChapter2 is scheduled as one half-day session. Sign Up Now
January 15 - Introduction to Upcoming Bluebeam Courses
Join Troy for this free opportunity to see an introduction to each upcoming course in February and learning objectives in 2025. Sign Up Here
January 15 - MBEX Annual Meeting & Luncheon
MBEX invites its members to our Annual Meeting and Luncheon, a premier event that brings together our vibrant construction community. We will introduce our 2025 Board of Directors and also hear remarks from special guest speaker employment law attorney Kate Bischoff about law changes coming in 2025 that will directly impact construction in Minnesota. Register Now
January 15 & 16 - Reading Construction Documents
Designed to quickly familiarize students with the basics of reading and understanding construction documents, this two-part online program will teach students how to navigate a project and its documentation, helping to understand the material and construction requirements. This program is open to both current MBEX Members and Non-MBEX Members. Register Now
January 16 - 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. Not yet open for registration
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Five construction-related headlines you need to read over the next coffee break.
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OUTLOOK 2025
🧑💻 Top 3 Construction Technology Trends to Watch in 2025
The construction industry is on the brink of a technological transformation, with innovations promising to increase efficiency, safety and sustainability. As we look ahead to 2025, here are three of the most exciting construction technology trends that will reshape the industry and bring new opportunities for construction professionals. (CON EXPO / CON AGG)
MENTAL HEALTH
❤️🩹 Holiday Health Check: Why Mental Health Struggles May Be Worse Right Now
Winter can exacerbate preexisting mental health issues. Grief can be sharper this time of year, and people may struggle more than usual. In the construction industry, the stigma can be particularly detrimental for people seeking assistance. It's important to understand how your workers are feeling --- and how you can help them. (Construction Business Owner)
LABOR & WORKFORCE
📋 How to Manage Subcontracts Amid Trump's Immigration Plans
Complicating matters for general contractors is the fact that construction is unique in terms of its employment structure. Often, different employees on the jobsite on the same day can have different employers. Layers of subcontracting work can create confusion or challenges to ensuring work eligibility, especially for GCs working with multiple subcontractors across multiple projects. (Construction Dive)
JOBSITE SAFETY
🦺 OSHA Updates PPE Rules for Construction Workers
OSHA has finalized changes to its PPE standard for the construction industry, requiring all PPE properly fit workers who need it. The updated rule addresses long-standing concerns about ill-fitting equipment and its impact on worker safety. (Occupational Health & Safety - OH & S)
SPECIALIZED TRANSPORT
🎈 Airships in Construction Never Really Took Off. Could That Change Soon?
Imagine a construction site where cranes are replaced by a floating hook, adjustable to the perfect height. Where prefabricated buildings and heavy supplies arrive by air, before being gently lowered into place. And where maintenance in remote or offshore areas could be managed from the sky, all with zero emissions. This vision underpins the ambitions of a new generation of companies aiming to adapt airships --- engine-powered, lighter-than-air craft --- to serve as versatile tools for the construction industry. (Construction Briefing)
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City of Moorhead Advances $500M Redevelopment | |
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Read more on Finance & Commerce
Advancing a roughly $500-million downtown redevelopment vision, the city of Moorhead has paid $24.6-million for the Moorhead Center Mall property, a key acquisition related to the city's efforts to bring hundreds of new homes and other uses to the heart of town.
The city plans to demolish the mall and carve the property up into multiple lots for commercial, residential and civic properties, according to an environmental assessment worksheet released this month. Located at 510 Center Avenue, the mall property is part of a larger redevelopment site, which also includes parking lots and a city hall site.
In all, the EAW notes, the nearly 19-acre redevelopment site will eventually contain 1,268 new housing units, 144,600-square-feet of commercial space, and 151,300-square-feet of civic areas.
Also included in the redevelopment plan are 2,154 parking stalls and infrastructure improvements. At present, no public streets are located within the project area, and the "limited existing public utilities are nearing the end of their service life," the EAW states.
Finance & Commerce reported in April that the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development awarded $1-million in assistance for a project that will create a 55,400-square-foot library, 36,000-square-feet of commercial space, and 484 apartments in two buildings on the Moorhead Center Mall site.
A "good portion" of the site will house the new library, which is scheduled to open in 2026.
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PICTURED ABOVE: Moorhead's nearly 19-acre redevelopment site at 510 Center Avenue will eventually house 1,268 new housing units, 144,700-square-feet of commercial space, and 151,300-square-feet of civic areas. (Rendering: JLG Architects) | |
2025 St. Paul Supplier Fair
Presented by the City of St. Paul
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SAVE THE DATE!
The St. Paul Supplier Fair is an opportunity for prospective vendors to learn about the City of Saint Paul’s upcoming contracting opportunities, attend workshops, and network with subject-matter experts from various departments within The City.
For questions or concerns, contact the Procurement division via email at procurement@ci.stpaul.mn.us.
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Benefit of the Week: Fleet Discount Program with Kwik Trip
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No matter the size of your business, there is a fuel management card program ready to help you take control at the pump. | |
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Kwik Trip wants MBEX members to save 7-cents per gallon on gasoline and diesel at Kwik Trip and Kwik Star locations.
Additional program benefits include:
• 10% off most in-store products including car washes and auto supplies
• Access to Kwik Trip programs, like DataTracker, Extended Fleet, and Business Plus MasterCard
• Ability to track transactions
• Customizable security and restrictions
• Detailed expense reporting
• Online account management
• And much more!
For more information and to apply to Kwik Trip's Fleet Discount program, contact Noah Skifton: (608) 351-7168 or nskifton@kwiktrip.com
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PROJECT INFORMATION + UPDATES | |
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• Total Projects Received at MBEX from 12/9/2024 - 12/13/2024: 70
• Total Project Leads Reported on at MBEX from 12/9/2024 - 12/13/2024: 19
• Total Active Projects Received / Reported on at MBEX as of 12/17/2024: 315
• Total Projects in the Online Plan Room as of 12/17/2024: 4,404
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Click the button above to view the most recent project data from 12/11/2024-12/17/2024.
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
• December 19 - Online Plan Room Demo
• December 24 & 25 - Closed for Christmas
• December 31 & January 1 - Closed for New Years
• January 14 - Construction Estimating Principles & Application
• January 15 - Introduction to Upcoming Bluebeam Revu Courses (Bluebeam 1-7)
• January 15 - Annual Meeting & Luncheon
• January 15 & 16 - Reading Construction Documents
• January 16 - Online Plan Room Demo
• February 11 - Regional Member Meetup: Rochester
• February 18 - Regional Member Meetup: Duluth
• February 25 - Regional Member Meetup: Fargo / Moorhead
• March 4 - Regional Member Meetup: St. Cloud
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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; Jeff Boelter - Project Acquisition & IT; Shauna Baska, Peggy Esboldt, Madison Gentil, Michelle Siegel & Ka Yang - Project Reporters; Don O'Connor - Duluth Manager
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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