CHASE Recognition Event

Is your team registered to join us at Midland Hills Golf Club next Thursday, October 29 to recognize the safest group of contractors in the state? The annual CHASE Recognition Event celebrates AGC's CHASE partnership with MNOSHA that continues to produce the highest collective safety records in Minnesota!

Come hear from speaker Jason Kunz on "The Leadership Advantage: Seeing What Others Miss" and learn more about the CHASE program!

AGC HR Forum

Don't miss the October HR Forum on Wednesday, October 28, where we'll be hosted by Rachel Contracting and covering how to build effective workplace wellness programs. We'll also hear updates from Bassford Remele on developments at the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs, as well as best practices for the Minnesota Paid Leave program.

Thanks to these CHASE Recognition Sponsors!

Robots, Tariffs, and 51 Presenters: The 2027 Summit Agenda Is Live

The agenda for the 2027 Minnesota Construction Summit is live, and it’s the biggest lineup we’ve ever assembled: 26 breakout sessions and 51 speakers over two days in February at the Saint Paul RiverCentre. We’ve got Mortenson’s innovation team sharing what robotics and AI are really delivering on jobsites, and the Minneapolis Fed breaking down tariffs, supply chain, and where interest rates are headed. MNOSHA will cover the new heat illness rules and how to contest a citation, and other sessions tackle cyber risk, sustainability reporting, labor law, mental health, and the workforce challenges every firm in this state is facing, plus so much more. Keynotes come from American Ninja Warrior host Alex Weber and Dr. Jermaine Davis.

The trade show is our biggest yet, and broader than it’s ever been. New this year, heavy equipment comes to the floor on the lower level of the RiverCentre, next to tools, materials, technology, and the legal, insurance, accounting, safety and software partners the industry relies on all year. All meals and breaks happen on the show floor, so you’re never choosing between sessions and exhibits. Over 550 people attended in 2026, and we expect more in 2027.

Day 1 Keynote: 
Alex Weber
"Unstoppable Leadership"

Day 2 Keynote: 
Dr. Jermaine Davis
"Dump Your Slump! How to Spot, Stop, & Shift Slumps Before They Impact Your Team"

Attendees: register by November 25 and save $50.

Exhibit space and sponsorships are still available.

Thank You to the 2027 Summit Sponsors!

PLATINUM SPONSORS

GOLD SPONSORS

SILVER SPONSOR

BRONZE SPONSOR

Capitol Update

by Sarah Psick, AGC Legislative Consultant

The November 3 general election is only weeks away, but Minnesota voters are already voting on statewide and legislative races, a constitutional amendment, and local issues.

Election Outlook

If Minnesota follows the midterm trend of voters favoring the party opposite the President, Democrats could secure a governing trifecta for the next two years. But Republicans are saying “not so fast.”

For the first time in eight years, voters will elect a new governor. Current polling shows U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D) leading House Speaker Lisa Demuth (R), by a margin of 48% to 41%. While Republicans have not won a statewide election since Tim Pawlenty was reelected governor in 2006, they hope concerns about fraud issues within the Walz Administration will play in their favor. Democrats are banking on President Trump’s low approval rating and voter's concerns about affordability.

With Democrats favored in the governor’s race, eyes turn to control of state House control of the closely divided state Senate - which will likely determine the final balance of power. Democrats have held a one-seat majority in the state Senate for the last two years and are working to retain those seats plus flip several suburban districts. Republicans are targeting districts in regional centers outside the Democrat-dominate metropolitan area and northern Minnesota – while working to hold the suburbs.

Races to Watch

Legislative races have attracted an unusually high number of outside independent expenditures this cycle. In the St. Cloud area alone, over $1 million has been spent the Senate race and in the Arrowhead Region, over $1.5 million has been spent to date.

Here are the key races to watch in the battle for control of the Minnesota Senate and House as profiled by MinnPost:

• Senate Districts 3 (Iron Range), 4 (Moorhead Area), 14 (St. Cloud), 35 (Anoka), 37 (Maple Grove), 41 (Cottage Grove/Hastings), 58 (Northfield)
• House Districts 3B (Ely/Hermantown), 18A & 58A (college towns of Northfield and St. Peter)

Statewide Races

The U.S. Senate Candidates, Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan (D) and Michelle Tafoya (R) faced off in their only debate on October 16. You can watch the debate here. You can also listen to the debate between Attorney General candidate Keith Ellison (D) and Ron Schutz (R) which took place recently.

Many articles about candidates have been published of the past weeks. The candidates for governor recently sat down with the StarTribune for lengthy interviews that are available to watch – Senator Klobuchar, Speaker Demuth.

Constitutional Amendment

In addition to the statewide constitutional, congressional, and legislative races, voters will be asked to approve or reject a proposed amendment to Minnesota’s Constitution. The proposed amendment will direct funds to schools across the state from the Permanent School Fund account – a constitutionally established trust created in 1858 when Minnesota set aside public lands to generate revenue for public education. The revenue in the Permanent School Fund comes from timber sales, mining activities, and land leases; plus investment earnings generated from the trust.

Currently, distribution of funds from the Permanent School Fund is spread across every public school district, charter school, and tribal school in Minnesota. The proposed Constitutional Amendment will not change the distribution but modernize and increase distribution of the funds. More information can be found at this link.

Voters may vote yes or no on the amendment; not voting on the question is counted as a “no” vote.

In-Person Early Voting

Minnesota voters have had the opportunity to vote early since September 18 by completing an absentee ballot and mailing it or bringing it to an elections office. You can vote in-person in a way that is more like the Election Day experience. Every county has at least one location where a voter can complete a short certificate, mark their ballot and insert it directly into the machine to be counted.

Walz Administration Transition

As with any change of administration, state agency commissioners begin stepping aside, allowing the next governor to pick new leaders. Commissioners from the Walz administration that have left include Commerce Commissioner Grace Arnold, and Labor and Industry Commissioner Nicole Blishenbach, who was appointed to the district court.

AGC Legislative Committee

The Legislative Committee will meet two more times until the end of the year to discuss post-election analysis and develop policy and legislative agenda for the 2027 legislative session. AGC members are invited to participate. Email Laura Ziegler, Director of Government Affairs, for additional information. The Committee will meet every other week during legislative session. The MN Legislature convenes January 12, 2027. Upcoming meetings:

November 5

December 10 (Final Policy Recommendations)

MnDOT-AGC Joint Technical Committees



The MnDOT-AGC Technical Committees have kicked off their fall meetings, bringing contractors and Minnesota Department of Transportation staff together for important conversations about the future of our transportation infrastructure.

The Concrete and Grading & Base Committees recently engaged in dialogue on issues impacting their respective segments of the industry, from specifications and technical considerations to broader, big-picture challenges and opportunities. These collaborative discussions provide a valuable opportunity to share perspectives, address concerns, and strengthen the partnership between MnDOT and the contractors who deliver Minnesota’s transportation projects.

The Bituminous and Bridge Committees will meet in December. Contact Laura Ziegler for additional information.

Concrete Committee

Grading & Base Committee

Real Estate Institute Advanced Construction Negotiations Presentation

AGC members (L-R above): Nena Lenz (Fredrickson), Jesse Orman (Fabyanske, Westra, Hart and Thomson), and Kyle Willems (Bassford Remele) joined Mike Schechter for an all star panel on advanced construction negotiations among owner, general contractor, and specialty contractor participants at the 2026 Real Estate Institute on Thursday. 

Construction Price Escalation Clauses: Allocating Risk in Volatile Markets

Volatile material, labor, fuel, tariff, and supply-chain costs have made lump sum bids an increasingly uncertain projection of actual construction costs. Price escalation clauses can help contractors properly allocate that risk, but their effectiveness depends on careful consideration and drafting of certain key details. Click here to read more.

Hugh D. Brown and Kristen N. Williams are members of Fabyanske Westra Hart & Thomson's Construction Law Department. Hugh can be reached at 612.359.7663 or HBrown@fwhtlaw.com. Kristen can be reached at 612.359.7619 or KWilliams@fwhtlaw.com

ABA Regional Conference

The American Bar Association’s Forum on Construction Law takes place in Minneapolis on November 19. Topics include risk transfer, builders and professional liability insurance, CCIPs, indemnity, and bonds. More information can be found here.

VitalCog Training at Mankato State University

This week Yolanda returned to  Minnesota State University-Mankato to certify 15 VitalCog in Construction Suicide Prevention Gatekeepers. Under the leadership of Professor, Dr. Brian Wasserman, MSU-Mankato is the first university in the state to offer VitalCog training to their students in the Construction Management Program.

One student said: "I have been struggling with figuring out how to reach out to a friend about their mental health because it can be difficult to know what to say or how to start that conversation. I did not want to make things awkward or say the wrong thing, but I also want to make sure they know someone is there for them. I found the VitalCog training to be especially helpful because it gave me a better idea how to approach these conversations and support someone who may be struggling. I plan on using what I learned to reach out to my friend."

It's Awards Season at AGC!

Do you know an industry icon who should be recognized for their achievements and service? Are you proud of your firm's stellar safety record? Has your company made strides in inclusion or mental wellbeing for your employees and workforce?

Click below to submit your nominations or applications for AGC of Minnesota's awards, and plan to join us on January 13 at AGC Honors 2027, where we'll recognize our award recipients! View the photos from last year's Honors event.

Award nominations close on November 20, so don't delay!

Nominate someone for the Skill-Responsibility-Integrity (SRI) Award or the Lifetime Achievement Award.

Apply for a Jeff Jensen Memorial Construction Safety Excellence Award.

Apply for a Culture of CARE Impact Award.

MBI Safety Champion Course

Stacy Arnold and Jenny Moore participated in the Master Builders of Iowa "Building a Safety Champion" training this week, as they evaluate programs for potential AGC of Minnesota member benefits.

Participants were tasked with group assignments, including modifying a safety dashboard and metrics used to report safety information. Stacy presented on CHASE data and some of the metrics used in AGC's partnership with MNOSHA to measure safety maturity.

Active Threat Preparedness Training
New 90-Minute Training Option

Whether in the office or on a job site, it is critical to know how to react if faced with an active threat/shooter situation.

Rich Webb and Drew Moldenhauer from Blue Ethos will provide participants with practical, real-world strategies to prepare for and respond to an active threat. Through Blue Ethos' Multi-Option Response framework, attendees will learn best practices for improving survivability while making informed decisions under extreme stress.

November 24 (90-Minute Abbreviated Course) | December 15 (4-Hour Full Course)

OSHA 30 for Construction

AGC wants to gauge your interest in participating in an OSHA 30 for Construction Training, January 11–14, 2027. This course would be in person at our office in St. Paul, with various industry subject matter experts presenting. If you or someone on your team would be interested in participating, please “register” them prior to November 15, 2026.

OSHA 30 has become a staple in safety training for the construction industry, designed for construction workers, supervisors, project managers and others with safety responsibilities. This course will be an interactive opportunity for those that want to strengthen their knowledge of jobsite hazards, understand OSHA requirements, and build the skills to recognize and prevent injuries before they happen.

Whether you want to grow professionally, strengthen your safety leadership, or create a safer work environment for your team, this course will provide valuable knowledge that participants will be able to apply to their role regardless of experience level.  

Stop the STCKY Academy

Back by popular demand: Safety professionals are encouraged to join us on November 19 for an 8-hour Stop the STCKY (S#*! That Can Kill You) Academy, presented by Adam Mack of Sundt. 

Registration includes lunch, and online participation is available. 

REGISTER

First Aid, CPR, and AED Training

On a jobsite, the first few minutes of an emergency belong to whoever is standing there. Not EMS - your crew. This half-day session on January 7 gives you the training and the confidence to act in those minutes, whether it's a cardiac arrest, a serious laceration, or an exposure incident. Cintas instructors lead the class with hands-on practice and a 1:1 student-to-mannequin ratio, so everyone gets real reps and personal coaching - not a video and a quiz. Learn more and Register

Tim Worke Honored as Industry Icon

Congratulations to AGC CEO Tim Worke on being named one of the 21 recipients of a Minnesota Icon Award for 2026, in recognition of his leadership in Minnesota's construction community! Tim is in great company, with many other AGC members also recognized in this list of honorees.

Two Important Member Surveys

Constructability Review Request:
TH 13 Reconstruction

MnDOT is asking Contractors to share their expertise by evaluating construction staging/access and risks to delivering this highway reconstruction project. Contractors who participate in constructability review meetings must learn about the project scope and specifics provided and come prepared to discuss the questions provided.

MnDOT is preparing plans for improvements to TH 13 in Savage and Burnsville from 0.3 Miles west of Quentin Ave to 0.23 Miles West of CSAH 5. Major project elements include the following:


• Reconstruction of TH 13 from Quentin Ave to Washburn Ave
• Construction of bridges at Quentin Ave, Proposed On and Off Ramps at Quentin Ave over Credit River, Huntington Ave, and Chowen Ave
• Construction of four roundabouts at Quentin Ave and 123rd St W – half at a time, Huntington Ave and North Frontage Road, Chowen and South Frontage Road, and Washburn and North Frontage Road
• Storm sewer improvements
• Local utility improvements
• Local Access

The constructability review meetings will be scheduled between October 29-30, 2026, and are expected to last approximately 90 minutes.

Click to download a file with more details about the project delivery, preliminary schedule, initial estimates, and questions for contractors.

AGC HR Forum

Participating in AGC Committees & Forums is a member benefit!

Don't miss the October meeting next week, where we'll be hosted by Rachel Contracting and covering how to build effective workplace wellness programs. We'll also hear updates from Bassford Remele on developments at the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs, as well as best practices for the Minnesota Paid Leave program.

In November, the HR Forum will be held at Knutson Construction, where we'll hear about Knutson's newly-developed mentorship program, BuildUp. Knutson representatives will walk participants through the basic concepts of the program, current successes, and potential growth. We'll also hear about the YWCA's Velocity program, a workforce development and skilled-trades pathways program.

Celebrate the Season and Help Us 
Send Tim Off in Style!

This year’s AGC Holiday Reception on December 1 will be an extra-special event as we celebrate Tim Worke’s retirement and 40 years of service to Minnesota’s construction industry.

Join your AGC friends and industry peers as we celebrate the end of another great year in Minnesota construction, raise a glass to Tim, and send him into retirement with a party worthy of the occasion! We’re adding a few special touches this year - including photo booths, shuttle transportation and more - and we hope to see a great crowd of people who have worked with, learned from, laughed with, and gotten to know Tim over the years.

Come for Tim. Stay for the party. It will be a great evening to reconnect with industry friends, celebrate the season, and recognize someone who has given so much to Minnesota’s construction community.

We’ve also added several special event sponsorship opportunities for member companies that would like to be part of making Tim’s retirement celebration particularly memorable. Sponsorships are available for some of the fun extras we’re bringing to the evening and include recognition at the event - a great way to put your company’s name behind the celebration while helping us give Tim a terrific sendoff.

Register now and join us as we celebrate Tim, the holidays, and another year together in Minnesota construction!

Thanks to these Reception Sponsors!

Whether you're a long-time member or new to AGC, there are many great events on the horizon to keep you connected to your industry peers!

Holiday Reception & Tim Worke Retirement Party
December 1

Toast the end of another great year together in the construction industry and raise a glass to Tim as he retires!

AGC Honors 2027
January 13

Celebrate greatness in the industry as we present individual and company awards!

Don't Miss These Events!

Register now or save the date for these upcoming AGC events:

• CHASE Recognition Event: October 29
• Holiday Reception & Tim Worke Retirement Party: December 1
• AGC Honors 2027: January 13
• 2027 Minnesota Construction Summit: February 17-18

Thank You to our 2026 Annual Partners!

PLATINUM PARTNERS

SILVER PARTNERS