The shock of recent events unfolding on the national political stage is a raw and unsettling dynamic that has laid bare the deep divides of a nation at a crossroads. What does the future hold? How do we unite and push forward as a country? How can each of us individually make a difference and be a force for good? Perhaps one impactful answer to this latter question lies hidden in plain sight? It involves committing to a better tomorrow by investing in the education of successor generations that are today preparing to command the future of your business, our industry and country. 

The AGC of Minnesota Foundation is a powerful tool that changes lives and provides resources for the necessary continuity of trained and educated leaders in the construction industry. The Foundation annually awards scholarships to applicants seeking financial aid to further construction-related education. The Foundation also provides scholarship grants to students enrolled at select construction educational institutions like Dunwoody College.  

I am pleased to announce that recently the ACG of Minnesota Foundation was honored with a $50,000 gift from the Charles McCrossan Family. The gift is in support of the Charles McCrossan Scholarship, which was established in 2017. The family wishes to help support the education of our next generation of leaders in the heavy-civil construction market. The AGC of Minnesota Foundation Board graciously wishes to thank the McCrossan Family for their generous gift.

Information regarding charitable contributions to the AGC of Minnesota Foundation, including the Legacy Giving Program, is available on the AGC website.

I am also pleased to announce the AGC Foundation has again committed to supporting Dunwoody College students by funding six $2,500 scholarships. Two of these awards are expressly designated for persons of color and women. Dunwoody College programs have produced many valued and exceptional students for our industry with many coming to construction careers later in life. We are proud of our long-standing support of Dunwoody College and look forward to exciting future partnership opportunities that build lives, sustain careers and add value to the construction industry. Further information concerning Dunwoody College construction education programs and the AGC scholarships can be found here.

As the legislature completes its second week, AGC of MN joins the MN Chamber of Commerce and other groups to urge legislators to conform with the federal tax treatment of PPP loans. The federal stimulus bill passed in December 2020 clarified that forgiven PPP loans are not considered taxable income at the federal level and that businesses are allowed to continue to deduct expenses paid with the proceeds of a PPP loan that is forgiven. However, Minnesota does NOT automatically conform to federal tax law changes. State legislation is needed to ensure the forgivable loans are not taxed in Minnesota and the deductibility of those expenses is allowed. 

Tax forgiveness of PPP loans handout.

Reach out to Laura Ziegler, Director of Highway/Heavy and Government Affairs, at lziegler@agcmn.org with any questions in the meantime. 

The EPA will host several information sessions regarding this RFA. Participants will have the opportunity to have their questions answered by EPA in a public forum. Pre- registration is not required. Webinar links and dial-in information for the information sessions can be found here.

AGC of Minnesota will be starting another Lean cohort in a little over a week! Participants can save money by taking the entire series, or may register for individual units. See all the available units here.

AGC of Minnesota members can save $800 on the AGC of America Project Manager Development Program (PMDP) offered through AGC of Wisconsin. More information and registration details here.

For discount code to get member rate, contact Renee.

AGC of Minnesota members can save $100 per unit on the AGC of America Building Information Modeling (BIM) program offered through AGC of Missouri. More information and registration details here.

For information on getting the discounted rate, contact Nancy Lake.