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Spring has certainly been teasing us, MBEXers. I don't know about you, but I'm already dreaming of warmer temps, longer days, many an iced coffee, and quality time near a cool blue body of water (lakeside, beachside, poolside...I'm not picky). A quick look at the calendar shows many of us won't see a long holiday weekend until the end of May, which means it might be time to get a little PTO on the books. After all, the people who keep projects moving and deadlines met deserve a chance to recharge, too. Take this as your friendly reminder to plan the work, plan the bids, and plan a few days off. Not necessarily in that order 😉☀️
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Five Quick Things To Know & Do This Week:
1.) Last Call to Register - Interested in attending our Online Plan Room Demo on Thursday (February 19)? Sign up by 2:30pm on Wednesday, February 18, to ensure you receive the access link and other information beforehand.
2.) Leadership Change - Jeff Hansen, CEO of Adolfson & Peterson, will retire on June 1, 2026, and Chief Operating Officer Brad Hendrickson will take his place. Hendrickson joined A&P as president of its Midwest region in 2021 and was elevated to the COO position last March. Prior to joining A&P, Hendrickson spent 31 years at PCL Construction.
3.) On Our Feeds - Do you follow us on LinkedIn or Instagram? If not, you've been missing some great things, like suggestions for random acts of kindness to pay it forward on the jobsite and in the office, a dive into construction to prepare for the 2026 Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics, and Online Plan Room tips to save you time.
4.) Attention Educators - Registration is now open for the Minnesota Construction Teacher Conference, taking place March 30 & April 1. This conference engages Career and Technical Education (CTE) educators of the construction trades in cutting-edge professional development. Any career and technical instructors in the construction arena in Minnesota, including middle school, high school, technical college, or four-year college levels, are welcome to attend!
5.) Mega LEGO Build - Back in 2009, James May built a full-sized house made from more than 3-million LEGO bricks. The project included walls, a working shower, a bed, a toilet, and furniture, all assembled from individual pieces clicked together by hand.
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Inside Issue No. 7:
• Hitting the Road: This March, join us in Duluth or St. Cloud
• Commercial Shift: Why collaboration is a real differentiator in winning work
• Peek Inside: Sharing a handful of projects included in January's Pre-Plan Pipeline
• 2026 Planning Factors: How knowing housing starts, infrastructure spending, and data centers can help contractors plan for the upcoming season
• Upcoming Events: Bluebeam Revu courses for Administrative Professionals (2/19) and Civil Workflows (2/20); Women in Construction Week (3/1-3/7); and save the date for MBEX's Spring Social (4/15)
• Five Headlines: Nonresidential construction adds nearly 28,000 jobs in January; Six out of ten Gen Zers plan to pursue the trades in 2026; Stricter rules proposed for electric vehicle chargers funded with federal money; New report shares that old concrete from dismantled buildings can be reused safely in new construction; & What construction lawyers need to know about immigration enforcement
• Project of the Week: Concept plan for 2-million-square-foot industrial & commercial development approved in Chaska
• Industry Event: 27th SADBOC Government Procurement Fair - Thursday, April 9 - Heritage Center of Brooklyn Center - Presented by Small & Developing Business Opportunities Council, in cooperation with the State of Minnesota's APEX Accelerator
• Project Download: Updated project information for the week of February 11-17
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Join Us in Duluth or St. Cloud in March
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We're hitting the road and coming to a city near you in March!
Join us, together with the Electrical Association (EA), the Minnesota Concrete Council (MCC), and The Builders Group (TBG), for our Regional Member Meetups. These are casual, come-as-you-are opportunities to connect with fellow industry professionals, meet staff from each organization, and learn more about the resources available to support your business.
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Date: Wednesday, March 4
Time: 3:00pm - 5:00pm
Location: Blackwoods Bar & Grill
(2525 London Road, Duluth, Minn., 55812)
Cost: Free; registration requested
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Date: Wednesday, March 11
Time: 3:00pm - 5:00pm
Location: Crooked Pint Ale House
(58 Divison Street, Waite Park, Minn., 56387)
Cost: Free; registration requested
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These relaxed events are designed to bring the local construction community together for good conversation, light bites, and drinks: no presentations, no pressure, just time to connect and catch up with others in your region.
Come learn how MBEX and our partner organizations support the commercial construction sector, ask questions, share what's happening in your market, and invite coworkers, colleagues, or industry partners to join you (members and non-members are welcome!).
The events are free, but registration is requested so we can plan accordingly for food and beverages.
| | | Come make connections that matter without the drive to the Twin Cities area. | | |
The New Currency in Construction? Collaboration
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In today’s market, clients aren’t just buying a scope of work, they’re buying how your team thinks, communicates, and solves problems.
Across the AEC industry, collaboration has moved from a “nice-to-have” soft skill to a real differentiator in winning work and keeping it. Owners want partners who reduce risk, move faster, and make their lives easier, not just contractors who can build what’s on the plans.
Here's what the shift looks like for commercial contractors and why it matters to MBEX members:
1.) Owners Want Partners, Not Just Bidders
Technical capability is expected. What owners are really looking for now is a team that brings insight, shares lessons learned, and helps navigate challenges before they become change orders. Firms that show up aligned, proactive, and ready to problem-solve together are standing out, especially on complex or high-risk projects.
MBEX Takeaway: Winning work isn't just about the lowest number anymore. Preconstruction collaboration, constructability input, and early relationship-building matter more than ever.
2.) Collaborative Delivery Isn't "Alternative" Anymore
Design-build, CMAR (Construction Manager At-Risk), and P3 delivery methods continue to grow because they bring teams together earlier and create shared accountability. Nearly two-thirds of industry leaders expect design-build use to keep increasing, with CMAR and P3 close behind. These approaches speed decisions, reduce surprises, and align everyone around the same outcome.
MBEX Takeaway: If your team isn't comfortable working in collaborative delivery environments, now's the time to build that muscle.
3.) Next Generation Decision-Makers are Changing the Criteria
Millennials and Gen Z leaders are stepping into owner roles, and they’re evaluating more than experience and price. They care about trust, responsiveness, culture, sustainability, and whether your company shows up professionally online. If your digital presence and messaging don’t reflect who you are, you may not make the shortlist.
MBEX Takeaway: Your reputation isn't jut built on the jobsite anymore. It's built on your website, your responsiveness, and how easy you are to work with.
4.) Technology (and AI) is Raising the Bar
Owners are increasingly using AI-assisted tools to evaluate proposals and compare teams. That means generic boilerplate and recycled messaging are easy to spot and easy to eliminate. The advantage goes to teams that combine technology with real-time collaboration, clear communication, and tailored solutions.
MBEX Takeaway: Strong proposals now show how you think and solve problems, not just what services you offer.
5.) Transactional Mindsets are a Risk
Firms that treat projects as one-off transactions (late pursuits, generic proposals, minimal engagement) are becoming commoditized. The companies winning consistently are the ones building relationships early, leading with insight, and positioning themselves as trusted advisors instead of just another bidder.
MBEX Takeaway: The work often goes to the team that was involved before the RFP hit the streets.
The Bottom Line
In today’s commercial construction market, collaboration isn’t a buzzword, it’s a business strategy. The contractors who communicate early, align teams quickly, and show owners they’re true partners will have the advantage. And in a competitive market, that kind of trust is worth more than any line item.
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PRE-PLAN PIPELINE: Sneak a Peek Inside January's Issue
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The February issue of the Pre-Plan Pipeline is headed to inboxes soon, so we wanted to give members a quick look back at what was featured in January's issue.
For Premium members, this monthly publication delivers an early look at projects before they ever hit the bid calendar, giving them a valuable head start on what's coming down the pipeline.
Basic members don't receive the Pre-Plan Pipeline (it's an exclusive Premium benefit), but consider this a preview of the kind of early project insight you could be getting each month.
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Here are several projects that were featured in January's issue:
• A new 250,000-square-foot warehouse and distribution center in Anoka County.
• Demolition of an existing Perkins restaurant to make way for a new Chipotle restaurant, a Les Schwab automotive tire service shop, and more to be determined in Cambridge.
• A 123,975-square-foot affordable apartment building for seniors 55+, including underground parking, in Falcon Heights.
• Revitalization of the historic Androy Hotel into a year-round civic gathering space and hospitality destination in Hibbing.
• Installation of acoustical sound panels and other updates in Century Hall at the McLeod County Fairgrounds in McLeod County.
• Property redevelopment for a mixed-use building to contain approximately 23,000-square-feet of commercial space, 57 apartment units, and underground parking in Owatonna.
• A two-phase development consisting of 272 market-rate apartments, 19 rental town-homes, rehabilitation of the existing 7,169-square-foot Auto Zone building, and public improvements related to the development's open space in Phase I, and 185 market-rate apartments in Phase II in West St. Paul.
• Plus 73 other developing projects
Click the image below to dive a little deeper into these projects and discover why members count on the Pre-Plan Pipeline every month.
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Complete with links to project sources (when available), the Pre-Plan Pipeline is automatically sent to all MBEX member companies with Premium Membership.
Not receiving it?
(1.) Check your spam / junk folder. If it's there, move it to your main inbox and mark MBEX as a safe sender.
(2.) Still not seeing it? Email Ashlee to be added to the list.
Not a Premium Access member but want to be? Give us a call to upgrade
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Pipelines, Pressure, and the New Wild Card
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After several years of rapid growth and full pipelines, the construction industry is entering a new phase: steadier demand, tighter margins, and a lot more questions than guarantees. The conversation is shifting from "How much work is out there?" to "Where is the work coming from, and how predictable is it?"
Housing challenges, questions around long-term infrastructure funding, and explosive demand for data centers are reshaping where the work will come from next. Contractors who pay attention to these shifts and plan accordingly will be best positioned for what comes after the boom.
Let's take a closer look at each of these factors:
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Housing Starts
For contractors, housing starts are one of the leading indicators of future workloads. Contractors use housing as one growth marker for communities where they work and live.
• Housing Starts - The number of new residential projects (single-family and multi-family) beginning construction
• Pipeline Effect - A housing start today means months of construction work ahead, including site development, underground utilities, concrete pouring, framing, and more.
• Economic Effect - Housing starts are tied to population growth, household formation, and consumer demand.
• Leading Indicator Role - Each housing start signals months of work ahead, such as labor, materials, and services.
Late in 2025, mortgage rates slightly fluctuated due to uncertainty around price inflation, tied at least in part to questions around the price impact of tariffs on resources like steel.
In 2026, housing starts will continue to face headwinds in some communities, but commercial construction will remain strong.
Infrastructure Funding
Since 2021, spending from government agencies has fluctuated. With some projects fully funded by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) in certain states, here's how we can think about infrastructure projects' funding:
• Infrastructure Projects' Funding - Roads, bridges, utilities, and public transit are typically funded by federal, state, or local governments.
• Pipeline Effect - Once funding is approved, projects are planned or executed over the years, guaranteeing sustained demand for construction services.
• Economic Effect - Infrastructure investment stimulates not only construction firms but also affects steel, cement, and machinery availability.
• Leading Indicator Role - Infrastructure funding announcements can help constructors prepare bids for future workloads and plan for more labor capacity.
When contractors keep a close eye on state or county funding for infrastructure projects, they can better prepare for bidding or building cost projections. Events from last year will affect contractors' bottom line until mid-summer of this year, especially the increased building material costs due to tariffs on certain countries.
Contractors can expect moderate growth in transportation and energy projects; however, cost inflation will still likely be a factor well into this summer.
Data Centers
Demand for data centers, semiconductor facilities, and advanced manufacturing plants (fueled by the Creating Helpful Incentives to Produce Semiconductors and Science Act of 2022, also known as the CHIPS Act, and private investment) drives growth. Last year, data centers emerged as the rising star when thousands of builds began.
• Data Center - A large, purpose-built facility containing advanced cooling systems, fire suppression, redundant power supplies, and networking infrastructure for storing, processing, and distributing vast amounts of data.
• Pipeline Effect - Data centers require a large area with a vast amount of energy. Contractors and subcontractors have been working together to develop sites through grading work and connecting the center to power grids like existing electrical grids, natural gas, or a renewable source, such as solar.
• Economic Effect - Many debate the effects that new data centers have on local and regional communities. When a new data center build starts, it causes significant capital injection and demand for highly skilled jobs. We will have to watch this year to see how the building of these data centers affects the economy.
• Leading Indicator Role - Part of the commercial infrastructure that some subdivision builders have embraced until housing starts to rebound. As many of these projects have a multi-year schedule, we can expect data center builds to generate demand.
Contractors are learning the job as project details for building power systems for data centers are still emerging.
As many in tech debate whether the AI bubble exists or not, we can still expect projects that are underway to require continued development, including the power or roads around these large buildings.
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Contractors who anticipate and prepare accordingly for challenges, whether funding, housing, or costs, will be best positioned to thrive.
While we wait for policy decisions to shake out, there are a few places to gather information to stay up to date on the latest:
• Follow housing starts shared by the National Association of Home Builders.
• Follow building materials prices like steel on your preferred market tracking website.
• Watch for further discussion on extending IIJA-funding past October 2026 through local or regional news stories and this infrastructure implementation tracking site by the National Governors Association.
• Find a trusted construction equipment and technology dealer, if you don't already have one.
| | | These predictions and insights are offered by Dennis Howard, senior vice president of Roadbuilding and Minerals at RDO Equipment Co. | | | |
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
February 19 - Online Plan Room Demo - Register by 2:30pm on February 18
From navigating the Deskpad, setting up filters, understanding project information, and adding your company to a project's bidders list, this free one-hour session is a great introduction to our Online Plan Room. Register
February 19 - Bluebeam 6: For Administrative Professionals
This course, designed specifically for administrative professionals, focuses on document prep and control tasks often overlooked in traditional Bluebeam software training. Learn to combine PDFs, apply redactions, use digital signatures, and manage key admin workflows. Sign Up
February 20 - Bluebeam 7: For Civil Workflows
Learn to calibrate, plan, and profile sheets with differing X-Y scales, visualize cut / fill quantities, create combined maps from multiples PDFs, and streamline survey tracking. Sign Up
** March 1-7 - WIC Week 2026
Women in Construction (WIC) Week is a nationwide initiative that advanced and promotes the vital role of women in the construction industry. Led by the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC), WIC Week brings together thousands of people across the country for events that elevate, connect, and spotlight women in all facets of the built environment. Minneapolis - St. Paul Chapter | Twin Ports / Iron Range Chapter | Southeast Minnesota Chapter | Fargo-Moorhead Chapter | Greater Sioux Falls Chapter
March 19 - Online Plan Room Demo
From navigating the Deskpad, setting up filters, understanding project information, and adding your company to a project's bidders list, this free one-hour session is a great introduction to our Online Plan Room. Not yet open for registration
April 15 - MBEX Spring Social
An event for members to mingle, network, and deepen their connections with other industry professionals along with food, drink, and exciting door prizes at Midland Hills Country Club in Roseville. Save the Date!
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Five construction-related headlines you need to read over the next coffee break.
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ECONOMIC REPORT
💡 Nonresidential Construction Adds Solid 27,900 Jobs in January
Nonresidential construction employment expanded by 27,900 positions, with gains in 2 of the 3 subcategories. Nonresidential specialty trade added 25,100 jobs, while nonresidential building added 3,600 new positions. Heavy and civil engineering lost 800 jobs last month. The construction unemployment rate was 6.9% in January, with unemployment across all industries decreasing to 4.3%. (Associated Builders & Contractors)
LABOR & WORKFORCE
🛠️ 60% of Gen Zers Will Pursue Trade Work This Year
Young workers and even college graduates are looking at skilled trades more than white-collar work this year in a search for stability and solid pay, a new survey shows. Six in 10 Gen Zers plan to pursue jobs in construction, electrical, HVAC, plumbing, building maintenance, and manufacturing, among other trades, according to Resume Templates, a resume-assistance company. (Construction Dive)
EV INFRASTRUCTURE
🔋 Trump Administration Proposes Stricter Buy America Rules for EV Chargers
The Trump administration has announced a proposal to tighten domestic sourcing requirements for electric vehicle (EV) chargers funded with federal money, raising the required U.S.-made content from 55% to as much as 100%. The Department of Transportation plans to expand an existing Buy America public interest waiver covering EV charging equipment. The change would apply to projects supported through federal transport programs once the revised waiver is finalized. (FutureTransport- News)
CONCRETE | SUSTAINABLE BUILDING
♻️ Old Concrete Can Have a Useful Second Life
Concrete elements from dismantled buildings can be safely reused in new construction, according to a recent study by the Royal Institute of Technology in Sweden. The study suggests that concrete element reuse could make the building sector more sustainable. (Building Design + Construction)
EMPLOYMENT LAW | IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT
🧐 What Construction Lawyers Need to Know About Immigration Enforcement
Immigration enforcement has quietly but materially begun reshaping labor dynamics in the U.S. construction industry. Immigration enforcement is also more than a buzzword in 2026; it's a practical driver of labor scarcity, cost escalation, compliance risk, and contract disputes. Advising clients in this market requires taking a holistic view that connects federal immigration policy to on-the-ground labor realities and contractual obligations. (J.D. Supra | Mandelbaum Barrett PC)
| | Chaska Weighs Multi-Phase Big Woods Business Park Development | | |
Read more on Finance & Commerce
The Chaska Planning Commission recommended approval of a concept plan for the proposed multi-phase Big Woods Business Park development, which would create 2-million-square-feet of industrial and commercial uses on part of a 338-acre development site in the city.
A site plan submitted shows 14 industrial buildings and four commercial structures on the site, which is just east of Jonathan Carver Parkway, west of Highway 212, south of West Chaska Creek, and north of Chaska Boulevard.
Big Woods Boulevard cuts through the site, dividing it into north and south segments.
The Planning Commission was informed that the breakdown of planned uses includes 1.9-million-square-feet of industrial and 55,000-square-feet of commercial space.
Scannell Properties plans to start with a 218,000-square-foot warehouse-distribution center. That first phase would offer 1,347 parking spaces and two accessory buildings, along with a city-owned water tower and an electricity substation.
The first round of construction would also include public improvements to Big Woods Boulevard, construction of a new public road, extension of utilities, and mass grading.
Future project phases would come as "end users" are identified.
Given its size and proposed square footage, the development requires an environmental review, and an AUAR was launched last fall.
The Chaska City Council is expected to review the Big Wood Business Park concept on February 23. Additional steps include preliminary plat, preliminary site, and building plan approvals, along with rezoning and a comprehensive plan amendment for Building 1.
The company plans to have "shovels in the ground" as soon as it gets the necessary approvals and permits, which could happen this summer.
Yes, this project can be found inside the Online Plan Room:
- Project ID: 2025-1289
- Category: Recreational
- Type: New Construction
- Phase: Pre-Bid
| | ABOVE PHOTO: The red outline shows the AUAR study area for the Big Woods Business Park proposed industrial and commercial development in Chaska. See more here | |
27th SADBOC Government Procurement Fair
Presented by Small & Developing Business Opportunities Council, in cooperation with the State of Minnesota's APEX Accelerator
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DATE: Thursday, April 9
TIME: 9:00am - 3:00pm
LOCATION:
COST: Free to attend
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Small businesses interested in doing business with government agencies and prime contractors are encouraged to attend this Trade Fair.
Coupling education with marketing strategies, this event will provide small businesses with opportunities to meet with representatives from more than 50 federal, state, and local agencies, commercial / prime contractors, and nonprofit organizations; access to available technical assistance; and learn about upcoming contracts.
Small businesses will also have the opportunity to be matched with a government or corporate buyer interested in their particular product / service by appointment only. Registration for this portion of the event open March 1.
Twenty-one workshops across four tracks will be offered, along with the trade floor and matchmaking (by appointment) in the afternoon.
Have questions about the event? Contact Christina Nebel-Dickerson: christina.nebel-dickerson@state.mn.us or (651) 201-2629
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• Total Projects Received at MBEX from 2/9/2026 - 2/13/2026: 92
• Total Project Leads Reported on at MBEX from 2/9/2026 - 2/13/2026: 33
• Total Active Projects Received / Reported on at MBEX as of 2/17/2026: 515
• Total 2026 Projects posted to the Online Plan Room as of 2/17/2026: 944
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Click the button above to view the most recent project data from 2/11/2026 - 2/17/2026.
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 Manager.
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UPCOMING MBEX EVENTS
• February 19 - Online Plan Room Demo
• February 19 - Bluebeam 6: For Administrative Professionals
• February 20 - Bluebeam 7: For Civil Workflows
• March 1-7 - Women in Construction Week
• March 4 - Regional Member Meetup: Duluth
• March 11- Regional Member Meetup: St. Cloud
• March 19 - Online Plan Room Demo
• April 15 - Spring Social
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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.
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, Marsh McLennan.
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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