Issue No. 28 • Wednesday, July 10, 2024 • www.mbex.org

Five Quick Things To Know/Do This Week:

1.) Ashlee and Shauna are out of the office for a couple of days this week to visit our friends at The Builders Exchange in Ohio to dive deep into our Online Plan Room to better serve our membership. That means this week's Bulletin will be shorter, but no less sweeter, than usual. Enjoy!

2.) Join Anirban Basu, chief economist for Associated Builders and Contractors, for his 2024 Mid-Year Construction Economic and Forecast on Wednesday, July 10. Throughout this free 60-minute presentation, Basu will offer insights on challenges facing the industry; share data on labor expenses, materials pricing, market-sector growth and construction spending; as well as the latest on inflation and continuing potential for recession; and a look toward 2025.

3.) Ahoy, mateys! Join MBEX aboard the retired Coast Guard Cutter, Sundew, in Duluth on Wednesday, July 17, for a sunset cruise on Lake Superior. Boarding begins at 5:15pm, and sets sail promptly at 5:45pm.

4.) The good, (the strictly okay), the bad, and the ugly of the construction industry's first quarter via Marcum LLC.

5.) A workday filled with OSHA violations.

The job of repairing a fence is just enough to keep us on the wire.

MEMBER NEWS + EVENTS

AUGUST 8: Sporting Clays Fundraiser at Game Unlimited

Come join MBEX as we aim at an epic day filled with clay-breaking excitement.

Whether you're an ace shooter or just looking for a fun afternoon with colleagues and fellow industry professionals, this event is for you. Bring your enthusiasm and your team spirit --- we'll take care of the rest.

• DATE: Thursday, August 8

• TIME: 11:00am - Lunch + Registration; 12:15pm - Mandatory Safety Talk for all Shooters; 12:30pm - Shooting Begins; 4:00pm - Social + Dinner; 6:00pm - Program, Awards + Prizes

• LOCATION: Game Unlimited Hunting Club (Hudson, WI)

• COST: $150 per shooter (max. of 6 shooters per team, min. 4 shooters).

Shooter Packages include lunch, the clay shoot, post-shoot social, dinner, awards, and door prizes.

A variety of sponsorship are also available. Sign up for the sponsorship of your choice when registering for the event.

• Station Sponsor: $150

• Lunch Sponsor: $250

• Beverage Sponsor: $250

• Dinner Sponsor: $300

• Beer Sponsor: $300

This event supports the MBEX Scholarship Fund, a special fund set up by the Exchange in partnership with The Builders Group (TBG) Education Foundation to award scholarships to students pursuing a degree in a field directly-related to the construction industry.

To date, we have given out nearly $300,000 to almost 150 students!



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

July 17 - Duluth Harbor Cruise on the Sundew

Join MBEX for an evening of fun and comradery aboard the Sundew, a retired Coast Guard Cutter. Space is limited to the first 150 people who register. Register Here

July 18 - Online Plan Room Demo

From navigating the Deskpad, setting up filters, understanding project information, and adding your company to a project's bidders lists, this free one-hour session is a great introduction to our Online Plan Room. Time is saved at the end of the demonstration for questions and answers. Register Here

August 7 - St. Paul Saints Game with AGC

Join MBEX and the Association of General Contractors Leadership Blueprint Alumni for an afternoon of Minnesota Twins AAA baseball when the St. Paul Saints take on the Columbus Clippers at CHS Field. Register Here

August 8 - Sporting Clays Scholarship Fundraiser

Aim, pull, and shoot to raise fund for the MBEX Scholarship Fund at this year's annual outdoor event with MBEX at Game Unlimited. Shooter packages include the clay shoot, a post-shoot social, dinner, awards, and door prizes. Teams may have a maximum of six shooters. Register Here

** August 12 - Dunwoody Alumni & Friends Golf Tournament

The Alumni & Friends Golf Tournament helps pave the way to a brighter future for students at Dunwoody College of Technology. Participation and support directly benefits students who might not otherwise be able to attend Dunwoody. Sign Up Here

** August 15 - Online Plan Room Demo

From navigating the Deskpad, setting up filters, understanding project information, and adding your company to a project's bidders lists, this free one-hour session is a great introduction to our Online Plan Room. Time is saved at the end of the demonstration for questions and answers. Not yet open for registration

August 19 - MBEX POWER: How to Have Blend vs. Balance in your Life

Say good-bye to the concept of balance and embrace the idea of fulfilling blend in MBEX POWER's next workshop with Nicole Middendorf. Attendees will leave with practical ideas to find that perfect blend of professional and personal they're dreaming of. Registration Opening July 10

August 21 - Golf North

Come and socialize with fellow MBEX members and industry professionals out on the greens of Ridgeview County Club in Duluth. Register Here

August 27 - Introduction to Upcoming Bluebeam Courses

Don't miss this opportunity to see an introduction to each upcoming Bluebeam Revu course offered in September and their learning objectives with instructor Troy DeGroot with UChapter2. Register Here

** September 10 - Bluebeam 1: Baseline Basics

Attendees will learn interface navigation including menu dropdowns, toolbars, various tool panels, keyboard shortcuts and a few recommended settings. While learning various markup and measurement tools, several tips and tricks will be shared to increase accuracy and speed. Register Here

** September 11 - Bluebeam 2: Material Takeoffs & Estimates (Basic)

Attendees will go through the standard measurement tools and settings, then move into various customization options and discuss the results in the Markups List. Register Here

September 11 - Sporting Clays North

Get your shotguns locked and loaded. MBEX is proud to present its annual Sporting Clays North at Old Vermillion Train in Duluth. Join us for an epic afternoon of clay-breaking, industry networking, and a delicious meal. Register Here

** September 12 - Bluebeam 3: Material Takeoffs & Estimates (Advanced)

After finishing the Bluebeam Takeoffs & Estimates (Basic) course, attendees will move into creating custom columns, embedding formulas, and information organization. Register Here

** September 13 - Bluebeam 4: Document Management & Best Practices

This course will not only improve consistency and accuracy in document management, but it will eliminate all the time wasted navigating through drawing sets and wondering who has the latest drawings. Register Here

CONSTRUCTION HEADLINES

Five construction-related headlines you need to read over the next coffee break.



LABOR & WORKFORCE

🧰 Construction Among Top Trade Jobs in the U.S.

A new report has named the top 10 most in-demand jobs in the U.S., with engineering and construction roles at the top of the list. Maintenance and repair workers are the most in-demand and have the most job opportunities in the U.S. Construction laborers are the second most in-demand role, and HVAC installers come in at third. (Modern Contractor)

DEVELOPING TECHNOLOGY

🚦 First Look: America's Smartest Highway

A three-mile stretch of I-94 in Michigan offers a glimpse of America's future highways, with tech-enabled lanes for connected and automated vehicles that could one day let drivers sit back and relax. For now, the tech is providing real-time data and insights about traffic, weather, potholes, obstacles, and other road conditions to Michigan's Department of Transportation (MDOT). Longer term, it'll feed information and advisories directly to connected and automated vehicles traveling in dedicated lanes along a 40-mile stretch. (Axios)

JOBSITE SAFETY

☀️ Keeping Construction Workers Safe in Hot Weather

As temperatures soar during the summer months, construction workers face the increased risk of heat-related illnesses, ranging from mild heat cramps to severe heatstroke, which can be fatal. Ensuring the safety and well-being of workers in hot weather is a crucial responsibility for employers. This article outlines essential strategies and best practices to keep construction workers safe in hot weather. (ConExpo - CON / AGG)

INDUSTRY TRENDS

🦺 Office & Data Center Construction

Until last week's construction spending data release, the Census Bureau lumped spending on data centers into the Office category. That was mostly fine prior to 2020. Data centers were a small share of total office construction, and there was no reason to be particularly interested in how much we were spending on actual office buildings. That changed in the 2020s as demand for data centers exploded and demand for office buildings imploded because of remote work. (Sage Economics)

MATERIALS HANDLING

⛽ Hydrogen Fuel Cells in Material Handling Equipment

One of the most popular fuels for powering lift trucks is propane. Electric power sources, however, are making headway in forklifts. Also gaining momentum are hydrogen fuel cell electric forklifts. A spokesperson for the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) said that there are currently more than 60,000 such machines deployed across the U.S. This is up from 20,000 in November 2018, per DOE's Fact of the Month published at that time. And it's not just forklifts. Hydrogen fuel cells are making their way into a variety of material handling solutions. (Construction Briefing)

PROJECT OF THE WEEK

Shakopee Features Multiple Development Hot Spots

Read more about this project on Finance & Commerce

Shakopee and the communities immediately surrounding it have more than their fair share of regional entertainment destinations: Canterbury Park, Valleyfair, Mystic Lake and Little Six casinos, the Minnesota Renaissance Festival grounds.

Some time ago, Shakopee was known primarily as a destination for diversion-seeking Twin Cities residents. But those days are long gone. Shakopee today has nearly 50,000 residents, and with hundreds of housing units permitted or under construction across town, it's among the metro's fastest-growing cities.

The development hot spots include the 360-acre Canterbury Park campus, where the Canterbury Commons master plan is taking shape; a 140-acre former gravel pit south of Canterbury Park, where Rachel Development is leading work on up to 850 new housing units; and the southwestern edge of the city, where D.R. Horton plans to build around 600 new homes.

These and other projects, including a multimillion-dollar riverfront revitalization effort, fit into Shakopee's long-term plans for become a "multi-layered community" that draws new visitors, residents, and employers from across the metro and beyond.

ABOVE PHOTO: Swervo has told Canterbury Park officials that it's on track for a summer 2025 opening of its amphitheater on a 37-acre site adjacent to County Road 83 and Unbridled Avenue in Shakopee. (Rendering: Swervo)

PROJECT INFORMATION + UPDATES

• Total Projects Received at MBEX from 7/1/2024 - 7/5/2024: 51

• Total Active Projects Received/Reported on at MBEX as of 7/9/2024: 345

• Total Projects in the Online Plan Room as of 7/9/2024: 2,610

Click the button above to view the most recent project data from 7/3/2024-7/9/2024.

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.

The MBEX Weekly Bulletin brought to

you in part by The Builders Group (TBG).

UPCOMING MBEX EVENTS

• July 17 - Duluth Harbor Sundew Cruise

• July 18 - Online Plan Room Demo

• August 7 - St Paul Saints Game with AGC

• August 8 - Sporting Clays Scholarship Fundraiser

• August 12 - Dunwoody Alumni & Friends Golf Tournament

• August 15 - Online Plan Room Demo

• August 19 - MBEX POWER: How to Have Blend vs. Blend in Your Life

• August 21 - Golf North

• August 27 - Introduction to Upcoming Bluebeam Courses

• September 10 - Bluebeam 1: Baseline Basics

• September 11 - Bluebeam 2: Material Takeoffs & Estimates (Basic)

• September 11 - Sporting Clays North

• September 12 - Bluebeam 3: Material Takeoffs & Estimates (Advanced)

• September 13 - Bluebeam 4: Document Management & Best Practices

Connect with the Builders Exchange:

Revisit Past Bulletins:

July 3 - No. 27 | June 26 - No. 26 | June 19 - No. 25 | June 12 - No. 24

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; Jeff Boelter - Project Acquisition & IT; Ashlee Hartwig - Membership & Communications Manager; Melanie Hendrickson - Events & Membership Coordinator; Don O'Connor - Duluth Branch Manager; Shauna Baska, Peggy Esboldt, Janet Margheim, Michelle Siegel & Ka Yang - Project Reporters

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