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Volume 50 - 2023 | Wednesday, December 13, 2023 | www.mbex.org | |
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Five Things To Do / Know This Week:
1.) Pay your membership dues! To avoid plan room disruptions, renew your MBEX membership by December 31st. Call or email Shauna with questions.
2.) Sign up to join us next Thursday (12/21) for a free Online Plan Room demo, a one-hour walk-through of the digital platform perfect for newcomers or long-time users in need of a refresher.
3.) Listen to this Today, Explained podcast episode about a concrete solution to climate change.
4.) December 13 is National Ice Cream Day. Head to our Instagram for a handful of special MBEX-created flavors to celebrate the hard work of our industry.
5.) Test Your Knowledge:
When Portland, Oregon, opens up a soaring new airport terminal in May 2024, it is widely expected to become a signature building. It may look like it's been built out of futuristic resources, but what materials is it actually built out of?
A.) Recycled Plastic Bricks
B.) Bamboo
C.) Phase Change Materials; or
D.) Wood / Mass Timber. See the Answer
Chasing good vibes this Wednesday
IN BRIEF:
• Kick Off 2024: Registration now open for the MBEX Annual Meeting + Luncheon
• You're Hired: November adds 2,000 construction jobs
• Tips & Tricks: Adding your company to a bidders list
• On The MBEX Blog: Hard Hats, Harder Times: A Look at 2024's Landscape
• Minority Notice: ECI seeks qualified MCUB vendors for an upcoming project
• Busting BIM Myths, Silicosis, and Tech Tips for Contractors: Five construction headlines, and the $51.5-million public safety campus coming to Woodbury
• Member Benefits: Find something special for the holidays with NPP
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Register Now: 2024 MBEX Annual Meeting + Luncheon | |
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A premier member event that brings together our vibrant construction community, the MBEX Annual Meeting and Luncheon is more than a meeting; it's an opportunity to be at the forefront of the building industry's latest trends and innovations.
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• DATE: Wednesday, January 10
• TIME: 11:00am - Social | 12:00pm - Lunch | 12:30pm - Program | 1:00pm - Special Guest Speaker, Hugh Seaton
• LOCATION: Mendakota Country Club (Mendota Heights, Minn.)
• TICKETS: $50 per person | $275 for table of six
• Sponsorship Opportunities are also available ranging from $50-$550.
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Why You Should Attend on January 10th:
🤝 Networking Opportunities
Connect with a diverse group of professionals, from seasoned industry leaders to newcomers. Forge new partnerships, strengthen existing relationships, and share your expertise with peers who understand your challenges and ambitions.
🤖 Industry Insights: AI: What Construction Leaders Need to Know
Dive into Artificial Intelligence (AI) with our special guest speaker, Hugh Seaton. Hugh will share lessons he's learned from over a decade of building real products with AI, define the various types of AI, how they work (and don't work), and introduce some frameworks to help you stay on top of these accelerating changes.
🏆 Member Recognition
Celebrate the achievements of your peers as we present awards for Volunteer of the Year and Distinguished Member. We will also recognize the hard work and dedication of outgoing Board members and announce the 2024 Board of Directors election results.
🍽️ Enjoy a Gourmet Lunch
Savor a specially curated menu in a relaxed, professional setting.
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Construction Adds 2,000 Jobs in November | |
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The construction industry added 2,000 jobs on net in November, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of data released on December 8th by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
On a year-over-year basis, industry employment has increased by 200,000 jobs, an increase of 2.6%.
Nonresidential construction employment increased by 1,400 positions on net in November, with growth concentrated in one subcategory. Heavy and civil engineering added 3,300 positions, while nonresidential building and nonresidential specialty trade lost 1,100 and 800 jobs, respectively.
The construction unemployment rate rose to 4.8% in November. Unemployment across all industries decreased from 3.9% in October to 3.7% last month.
Read More on ABC.org
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TIP OF THE WEEK: Bidders Lists | |
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All member companies can add themselves to a bidders list on any project posted within the Online Plan Room.
Here's a quick step-by-step walk-through of how to add one's company to a bidders list:
1.) Locate the project of interest once inside the Online Plan Room and click on its title to open the project's information. Above the project's listed bid date, there are six red tabs in the navigation bar. Select the 'Bidders' tab.
2.) A list of current bidders, across all categories, will be pulled up. To add your company to this list, click on the "+" symbol found on the left-hand side. (If you hover over the "+" icon, a message reading "Add your company to this project's bid list." will appear.)
3.) Enter the required contact information fields (name, phone number, email). Open the drop-down menu under "Bidding As" to select your construction category.
4.) Scroll through the options and select the most appropriate listing.
If you are a general contractor, do not select 'General'. Instead, specify your category of work. For example, general contractors intending to bid projects with an assigned Construction Manager or Selected General (listed as part of the 'Owner / Designer Team') should specify their category of work using the drop-down selection menu rather than list themselves as a General.
After making your selection, click the green 'Save Changes' button.
5.) Congratulations; you have now been added to that project's bidders list!
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Hard Hats, Harder Times: Construction's 2024 Landscape | |
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As we wrap up 2023 and peek into 2024, let's have a real talk about the construction landscape. It's been a rollercoaster, hasn't it? With buzzwords like "recession" and "economic downturn" flying around, it's natural to feel uneasy about the future of the industry. But, we're a resilient bunch, and there's a lot we can do to navigate these choppy waters.
First off, the construction sector isn't immune to the hiccups of inflation, labor shortages, and those pesky supply chain disruptions. And yes, the experts are predicting more slowdowns thanks to those supply chain issues, rising costs, and high-interests rates. These challenges are not disappearing overnight, so it's crucial to stay sharp and find ways to keep the projects rolling smoothly.
The big question isn't if contractors will weather the storm, but more how well they do it. Let's dive in.
Read on the MBEX Blog
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December 21 - MBEX Online Plan Room Demo
From navigating the Deskpad, setting up filters, understanding project information, and bidders lists, this free, one-hour session is a great introduction to our Online Plan Room. There will be time at the end for questions and answers. Register Here
December 22 & 25 - Christmas - MBEX Closed
MBEX will be closed Friday and Monday for the Christmas holiday. Please plan office visit and/or building plan orders accordingly.
December 29 & January 1 - New Years - MBEX Closed
MBEX will be closed Friday and Monday for the New Years holiday. Wishing you a happy 2024 and a project-filled pipeline for the next 365 days ahead!
January 10 - MBEX Annual Meeting & Luncheon
MBEX is thrilled to invite its members to the Annual Meeting & Luncheon, a premier event that brings together our vibrant construction community. This is more than just a meeting; it's an opportunity to be at the forefront of the building industry's latest trends and innovations; the announcement of our 2024 Board of Directors; give recognition for Volunteer of the Year, Distinguished Member, and outgoing Board members; and hear special guest speaker Hugh Seaton's presentation, "AI: What Construction Leaders Need to Know". Register Here
January 18 - MBEX Online Plan Room Demo
From navigating the Deskpad, setting up filters, understanding project information, and bidders lists, this free, one-hour session is a great introduction to our Online Plan Room. There will be time at the end for questions and answers. Not yet open for sign up.
February 20 - Introduction to Upcoming Bluebeam Courses
When it comes to the AEC industry, Bluebeam Revu is one of the most popular and quickly growing to over 3-million users worldwide. With functionality for Design Review, Estimating, Collecting Field Data, and others, Bluebeam is not your average PDF software. We have partnered with Troy DeGroot with UChapter 2 to provide the best quality Bluebeam training in the industry. Don't miss this opportunity to see an introduction to each upcoming course and learning objectives. Get your questions answered to assure you're in the appropriate courses for your skillset and workflow. Register Here
REMEMBER: If you are an employee of a current MBEX member company, you are welcome to attend any and all MBEX events.
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Engineering & Construction Innovations Inc (ECI) is seeking qualified MCUB subcontractors, suppliers and vendors for the following project:
• Metropolitan Council Environmental Services' Seneca Pipe and Site Restoration
Bids for this project must be submitted to ECI by January 15 at 3:00pm. View Full Notice
Please send quotes to Ron Sweep via email or via facsimile to (651) 298-9113.
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Engineering & Construction Innovations Inc
7002 6th Street North
Oakdale, Minn., 55128
PH: (651) 298-9111
An Equal Opportunity Employer
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CONSTRUCTION TECHNOLOGY
🏗️ Top 5 BIM Myths Busted
When applied correctly, BIM can help construction companies make better decisions and reduce costs, making buy-in from teams and stakeholders easier. For architects, contractors, engineers, designers and building engineering consultants, it becomes critical to address myths surrounding BIM and continuously adapt to the changing landscape. (Construction Dive)
HEALTH + SAFETY
🩺 Silicosis: 'The Biggest Risk to Construction Workers After Asbestos'
In September, the US-based Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) announced that it was stepping up its enforcement program ensuring that employers protected workers against breathing in silica dust which can cause silicosis - a progressive lung disease and sometimes fatal lung disease. (International Construction)
DIGITAL INFRASTRUCTURE
💻 Seven Tech Tips for Construction Contractors
The phrase "smart construction" is more than just a buzzword. A robust network infrastructure acts as the backbone supporting all digital tools and technologies employed on a construction site. Just as a physical foundation must be solid to support a building, the digital foundation must be robust to support complex technologies that rely on fast, seamless communication and data transfer. (For Construction Pros)
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
💵 NE Economy in Minn. Receives $33M+ in Economic Development Funding
A $15-million expenditure was recommended for the city of Aurora Industrial Site at the latest Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation Board meeting. Other recommendations included $4 million in infrastructure grants; $56,000 in trails grants; $5.4 million in K-12 school collaboration funds; $8.6 million in mining fund rebates; and $500,000 in Giants Ridge Recreation Area Tax expenditures. Agency total investment for all projects combined is approximately $33.6-million. Total project investment is approximately $73.2-million. The projects are expected to increase the regional tax base, retain jobs and create construction jobs, provide essential services, improve education, and expand outdoor recreation. (Grand Rapids - Herald Review)
CLIMATE + ENVIRONMENTAL ACTION
🌎 A Deep Dive into the United States' $2B Federal Investment
In a landmark move that signals a significant shift in the United States' approach to infrastructure development and environmental responsibility, the Biden-Harris Administration has earmarked a colossal $2-billion for cleaner construction projects. This initiative spans the breadth of the county, indicating a strong federal leadership role in climate action. The projects vary in nature and scope, including façade and window replacements, structural repairs, and seismic upgrades. They extend to various types of buildings, from historic sites like the Alexander Hamilton U.S. Custom House in New York City to federal courthouses across the nation. (Construction Today)
🦺 PROJECT TO WATCH
Woodbury Floats Sales Tax to Pay for $51.5M Public Safety Campus
A new $51.5-million public safety campus is coming to Woodbury. That's pretty much a done deal, but it remains to be seen how the project will be funded. In November 2024, residents will vote up or down on a half-cent sales tax to pay for the campus, which will create new space for medical, fire, police and emergency services currently housed in an aging and undersized building that dates to 1975 and was expanded in 2000 and 2010. (Finance & Commerce)
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The city of Woodbury's public safety campus is seen in this aerial photo. Pictured on the right is the
Radio Drive Fire Station; the police side is to the left of the Fire Stations. The small building on the left
is the existing Washington County License Center. The building behind the fire station is City Hall.
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State Office Building Renovation: Construction Subcontracting Opportunities | |
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DATE: Wednesday, December 13
TIME: 2:30pm-4:30pm
LOCATION: Senate Office Building, Conference Rooms 1150 and 1200 (95 University Ave W, St Paul, 55155)
COST: Free
Download event flyer
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Join the Department of Administration and prime contractor JE Dunn to learn more about subcontracting opportunities for the State Office Building renovation, the largest renovation project ever on the Capitol complex.
Gain an understanding of the overall scope of the project, how the work is being broken into separate packages for bidding, and the timeline for the project.
JE Dunn and several first-tier subcontractors will be available for networking. JE Dunn's Supplier Diversity office, the Office of Equity in Procurement and APEX Accelerator will be on hand to answer questions about subcontractor prequalifications, certification, and more.
Please email procurement.equity@state.mn.us with questions.
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Importance of the Preconstruction Meeting
Presented by the Minnesota Concrete Council
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DATE: Thursday, December 14
TIME: 7:30am-9:30am
LOCATION: Midland Hills Country Club (Roseville, Minn.)
COST: $40 per person
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Concrete pre-construction meetings are of prime importance in planning concrete construction work because many potential problems can be avoided at the right time --- before the start of the pour when the cost impact is relatively low.
This presentation will discuss a typical preconstruction checklist that allocates responsibilities and establishes procedures related to concrete construction. Subgrade preparation, forming, concrete mixture proportioning (mix design), ordering and scheduling, placing, consolidating, finishing, jointing, curing, testing and acceptance as well as safety and environmental issues will be included.
Presenters include:
• Ryan Bonniwell, Partner at Ericksen Roed and Associates, ERA Structural Engineering
• Josh Edwards, P.E., AVR Inc
• Matt Harshbarger, ICC, Supervisor II, Construction Services, American Engineering Testing (AET)
• Chris Lehman, Director of Construction - Self Work, Ryan Companies US
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Benefit of the Week: Holiday Savings with NPP | |
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'Tis the season of giving. Find something special for your team this holiday season via National Purchasing Partners (NPP).
To take advantage of these special discounts and offers, sign up with NPP (it's free!) by visiting mynpp.com/association/mbex/.
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Take 20% off Harry & David's famous gift baskets, fruit and gourmet food for holidays, anniversaries, work events, and more. Pear-fect Gifts
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MBEX Members can save 20% off fresh-baked gourmet cookies, brownies, cakes, desserts, and a wide array of gifts. Delicious Desserts | |
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Save 20% off holiday gift baskets and beautiful flowers. Exclusive savings on deliveries make the holidays, or any day, special. Baskets & Bouquets | |
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NPP is a member benefit provider of the Minnesota Builders Exchange (MBEX), offering savings on products and services that businesses and employees use every day. Restrictions many apply. See www.mynpp.com for details.
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PROJECT INFORMATION + UPDATES | |
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• Total Projects Received at MBEX from 12/4/2023 - 12/8/2023: 65
• Total Projects Leads Reported on at MBEX from 12/4/2023 - 12/8/2023: 4
• Total Active Projects Received/Reported on at MBEX as of 12/12/2023: 281
• Total Projects in the Online Plan Room as of 12/12/2023: 4,607
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Click the button above to view the most recent project data from 12/6/2023-12/12/2023.
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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The information in this bulletin was 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.
2023 BOARD OFFICERS: President - Greg Grazzini, Grazzini Brothers & Co; Vice President - Mike Carlson, Max Gray Construction; Treasurer - Heidi Sedlacek, Bituminous Roadways; Past President - Randy LaFaive, Market & Johnson | 2023 DIRECTORS: David Brandt, Schadegg Mechanical; Jason DuVal, Tenet; Chuck Geisler, American Engineering Testing; Brian Kalla, St. Cloud Acoustics; Sean Ochis, Northern Industrial Insulation; Jason Rentmeester, Kraus-Anderson Construction; Andy Ristrom, Carl Bolander & Sons; 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; Don O'Connor, Duluth Branch Manager; Ka Yang, Peggy Esboldt, Janet Margheim & Shauna Baska, Project Reporters
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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