The annual AGC of Minnesota survey of General Contractors, Specialty Contractors, Architects and Engineers was released today. The survey can be accessed here. 

The results provide a surprising look into the forces that shaped the 2020 construction season and offer a glimpse of what the industry sees on the horizon. In spite of the strong headwinds the COVID-19 pandemic unleashed on the broader economy, a majority of survey respondents have confidence that 2021 markets for construction services will trend positive. This fragile confidence, however, is equally offset by a significant portion of respondents who see 2021 as troubling and foresee a forthcoming retraction in the marketplace.  

Contractors also reported steady capability to adapt to COVID-19 challenges and safely manage their workforce while absorbing operational costs incurred from the pandemic response. A large portion of respondents had projects delayed or cancelled, with most occurring in private funded markets. Additional survey insights portend growth opportunities in alternative energy markets, while commercial office, retail construction, and multi-family housing may see tougher times ahead. Availability of materials and their related costs also weighed heavy on the minds of contractors in 2020 and responses continue to indicate that many of the same challenges identified in past survey assessments remain, with workforce availability and skill training gaps persisting. 

  

These insights and other valuable perspectives populate the 2020 Survey Assessment. Readers are sure to find consequential value in examining individual responses to specific questions as well as overall trends. Thank you to all AGC and AWC members and our Engineering and Architectural services partners for contributing your responses. 

In the face of a very challenging year, AGC of Minnesota is proud of the role we played in keeping construction open and delivering a $1.87B capital investment bill. Our annual report detailing the ways AGC brought value to our members in 2020 has been sent via mail, and is also available to view here.

Congratulations to RJM Construction for their Construction Health And Safety Excellence (CHASE) Level 3 Project at Duffey Lofts in Minneapolis!

Congratulations to Kraus-Anderson Construction for their Level 3 project at The Larking in Minneapolis!

And congratulations to Mortenson for their Level 3 expansion project at St. Cloud Surgical Center!

CHASE is a partnership between AGC of Minnesota and MNOSHA. View all the 2020 CHASE Level 3 Projects here.

LECET is pleased to offer a safety seminar webinar series, free to union contractors' safety department and key staff. Attendance qualifies for points in the LECET Safety Driven program.

The Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) is pleased to announce the release of its new technical assistance guide for small contractors.

The guide provides compliance assistance regarding equal employment opportunity obligations for small federal supply and service, construction contractors and subcontractors, as well as and federally assisted construction contractors and subcontractors. The agency considers contractors’ sizes when developing its requirements to consider the burdens on small contractors. Read more

Next Thursday, December 10 (11:30 am), AGC of America is offering a free webinar to AGC members on the recent developments regarding PPP loan forgiveness. There will be an extensive time for Q&A.

Minnesota’s economic and budget outlook have improved since projections at the beginning of the pandemic. Minnesota’s Department of Management and Budget (MMB) released their November forecast this week, which shows higher general fund revenues and lower expected state spending. There is a projected surplus of $636 million for the FY 2020-21 biennium. The deficit projection for FY 2022-23 came in at $1.2 billion, which is a welcomed improvement from predicted shortfall of $2.6 billion in the May forecast. It will be up to the state legislature to balance the budget next session, which begins on January 5^th. The timing of a vaccine, consumer & business confidence, potential federal assistance, and other factors contribute to the risks of the overall outlook. MMB will provide another forecast in February.

In 2021, the legislature is tasked with setting the budget for all state agencies such as MnDOT and the Dept. of Administration. Consider joining the conversation to set AGC’s legislative priorities and learn about our strategy as we head into a unique 2021 session.

AGC’s Legislative Committee

Thursday, December 17^th

11 AM-Noon

Contact Laura Ziegler, AGC Director of Highway and Government Affairs, for the Zoom link. 

In preparation for the 2021 MN Legislative Session, the Utility Infrastructure Division will be meeting next Wednesday, December 9th from 1-2 p.m. via Zoom.

AGC members can click here to register for the online meeting. Discussion items include:

If you have agenda items or would like to talk to prior to the meeting, please contact AGC government affairs team members Laura Ziegler or Lisa Frenette.

During long winter months, managing and improving infrastructure that is affected by snowfall becomes a top priority. Snow, combined with wind, creates dangerous conditions. Meteorologists have a system that predicts snowfall events and wind patterns, but many people don’t know the science behind snowdrift prevention. Learn more