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2023-2024 Minnesota Construction Industry Assessment Survey OPEN
There's a chill in the air, the leaves are beginning to turn, and AGC is looking for input on your current experiences and future plans in the Minnesota construction industry. It must be fall!
The 2023 AGC of Minnesota Construction Industry Assessment Survey yields a unique look at the entire spectrum of the Minnesota construction industry from the design and engineering phase all the way through to project completion and close out. The survey link is sent to our primary contact(s) at all AGC member firms, and through our partners at AWC, AIA, and ACEC. If you have not seen a link, please let Renee know!
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Your participation gives us rich and insightful data on trends regarding market conditions, equipment purchases, remote work policies, sourcing of workforce, retention strategies, and so much more. This data is vital to AGC's ability to effectively advocate for the industry.
View previous Industry Assessments
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The survey will close on November 3, 2023. One response per firm, please.
If you are a contractor, supplier, service provider, architect, or engineer and would like the link to the survey for your firm, please contact Renee Horsman.
All firms that complete the survey will be entered into a drawing for a delivery of delicious AGC cookies for your entire staff!
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New Metro Area Sales Tax – Transitional Sales Effect on Construction Contractors
Starting October 1, 2023, there are two new metro county area sales and use tax for Housing and Transportation totaling one percent. The new Metro Area Sales and Use Tax for Housing rate is 0.25% and the new Metro Area Transportation Sales and Use tax rate is 0.75%. The Minnesota Department of Revenue administers these taxes. Revenues will fund the programs and projects as outlined in state law passed during the 2023 legislative session.
The Local Tax General Notices linked above outline who must register and collect the tax. This would apply to construction materials, renting equipment, etc. Local governments do not pay the new sales taxes, but state entities and projects will.
Note on Transitional Sales
The new sales taxes apply to sales on or after October 1, 2023, but the tax does not apply to the following:
The purchase of construction materials used to complete a lump sum or fixed price construction contract that was signed and enforceable before October 1, 2023, but only if all the following are true:
- The contract does not provide for an allocation of future taxes.
- The materials are used exclusively in performing the contract.
- The materials are delivered before April 1, 2024.
Contractors whose purchases meet these requirements can file for the exemption during the transitional six month period (until April 1). Contractors should complete and submit Form ST3, Certificate of Exemption for contracts signed before October 1, 2023. To access the form, go to this Dept. of Revenue webpage, and click on Construction Contracts.
AGC will communicate any pertinent information from the Dept. of Revenue, MNDOT, and the Dept. of Administration as made available.
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Let's Talk Rental Attachments
We’re entering fall, marking the peak of landscaping season. This brings a checklist of necessary items, particularly attachments. Renting equipment offers a smart solution for acquiring non-standard attachments, enabling you to tailor your machines to your project’s requirements. Our rental equipment boasts an extensive array of attachments, saving you from purchasing items you might rarely use. Read more
by Taylor Kelenic, Ziegler CAT
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MnDOT releases State Highway Investment Plan for public comment
Public hearings set for Oct. 5, 11, 13 and 18; Public comment period ends Nov. 8
The Minnesota Department of Transportation invites the public and transportation stakeholders to review and comment on the 2023-2042 Minnesota State Highway Investment Plan.
Updated every five years, MnSHIP directs capital investment for Minnesota’s state highway system over the next 20 years. MnSHIP links policies and objectives in the Minnesota GO 50-Year Vision and the Statewide Multimodal Transportation Plan with capital investments on the state highway system. It is a fiscally constrained plan that identifies investment priorities given current and expected funding of $37 billion between 2023 and 2042.
The 2023-2042 updated MnSHIP is the result of collaboration during the last two and a half years between MnDOT and the public, stakeholders and partners. Minnesotans can review the draft plan and submit comments through November 8 online at MinnesotaGO.org, through the project email at stateplans.dot@state.mn.us, or by mail (Brad Utecht | MnDOT | 395 John Ireland Blvd, Mail Stop 440 | St. Paul, MN 55155)
The plan can also be reviewed in hard copy at the MnDOT Library (395 John Ireland Blvd.) or at any of the eight MnDOT district headquarters around the state.
Public Hearings
The public may participate by attending any of the following public hearings:
- Carlton – Wednesday, Oct. 11, at 11:30 a.m. (1630 County Road 61)
- Rochester – Friday, Oct. 13, at 11 a.m. (2900 48th St. NW)
- Willmar – Friday, Oct. 13, at 11 a.m. (2505 Transportation Road)
- Saint Paul – Wednesday, Oct. 18, at 2:30 p.m. (390 Robert St. N)
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ESST 301: Advanced Answers to ESST Law Questions
AGC-MN held two zoom meetings on Minnesota’s new earned safe and sick time, which generated further questions and concerns. This follow up, members-only webinar at 9 am on October 13 is a deeper dive into ESST, including:
- How to calculate ESST payments (net pay, taxable pay + health, full pay)
- Setting up a program that complies with ESST
- Strategic decisions in an alternative program
- Vesting versus non-vesting
- Impact on prevailing wage
- Impact on federal project PTO requirements
- Managing tracking, updating, printing notices
- Managing the money (accounts receivable, in trust, other)
- Status on ESST waivers with the building trades
- Overall recommendations and expected cost
Industry expert Martin Kappenman with member law firm PRKA will present.
This is a free, members-only webinar. Register here.
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CHASE Level 3 Project
Congratulations to Weis Builders and Veit & Company on their new CHASE Level 3 project at Phalen Village!
The CHASE program began in 2003 as a partnership between Minnesota OSHA and AGC of Minnesota. Twenty years later, it is still the longest-running partnership with MNOSHA.
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20-Year CHASE Recognition Event
The Construction Health and Safety Excellence (CHASE) program is celebrating its 20th year with a special event to honor the participating contractors whose stellar safety records continue to lead the Minnesota construction industry!
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Join us at Ames Center on November 8 to celebrate the achievements of these contractors in the past year, and hear an inspiring safety message from renowned speaker Garrison Wynn - "Influencing Safety: What the most successful leaders do differently."
Whether you are trying to reduce your number of recordables or prevent a good safety record from creating complacency, this entertaining, safety leadership session will get you laughing, learning and motivated to create a culture of safety while maintaining productivity.
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Thank You to our Sponsors! | |
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AGC Honors
Each year, AGC of Minnesota solicits nominees to be recognized for career contributions and personal accomplishments that have elevated the industry beyond the boundaries of their respective firm or business. This year, honorees for the AGC Lifetime Achievement Award, Skill Responsibility, and Integrity (SRI) Award, the Jensen Safety Awards, the DEI Awards, and the joint MnDOT/AGC Bridge Awards will be celebrated during an exciting evening of recognition and live entertainment at the 2024 AGC Honors on January 16.
The event promises to be a memorable and fun evening that has been purposefully scheduled the night prior to opening the 2024 Minnesota Construction Summit.
We encourage all AGC members and industry friends to join us in celebrating these truly amazing individuals and firms while also enjoying some great music entertainment provided by renowned Twin Cities musical talent Mick Sterling and his band.
Click the images below to nominate an individual, firm, or project for one of the awards to be presented at the 2024 AGC Honors!
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Nominate an individual for the
Lifetime Achievement or SRI Award
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Nominate your firm for a DEI Award | |
Nominate your firm for a Jeff Jensen Memorial Construction Safety Excellence Award | |
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Nominate a bridge project for a joint MnDOT/AGC Bridge Award
(see below for details)
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2023 AGC Bridge Award Nominations are Open!
As the construction season winds down, or speeds into the finish line, it is time for the 22nd Annual Bridge Construction Awards nominations. MnDOT, MnDOT State Aid, and the AGC Bridge Committee want to recognize high quality bridge construction projects that have been opened to traffic in 2022 and 2023. AGC member Contractors, suppliers, and others are encouraged to discuss project merits with the owner to receive consideration. The MnDOT project engineer or local agency owner and the contractor must both endorse the submittal.
Contractors should contact the District and/or District State Aid Office to discuss submitting a nomination form for one or more bridge projects completed in 2022 or 2023. County or other publicly owned bridges also qualify. The nomination form, plus narratives and photos are due to the MnDOT Bridge Office by October 17th, 2023.
Award Categories:
MnDOT or local agency bridges constructed by an AGC Contractor
1. Bridges costing less than $1.5 million
2. Bridges costing between $1.5 and $5.0 million
3. Bridges costing over $5.0 million
Please note that award submittals will only be accepted for bridge projects completed by AGC member contractors
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Save the Date:
2nd Annual Summit on Mental Health in Construction
The Minnesota Construction Coalition for Mental Health is proud to announce its 2nd Annual Summit on Tuesday, November 28. The agenda will feature subject matter experts and members of the Minnesota construction community discussing substance use and mental health in construction. More details here.
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Expand the Toolbox Presents:
Addressing the Construction Skilled Labor Shortage - International Professionals
Tuesday, October 24
International Institute of Minnesota
This event will provide insight and access to opportunities for contractors to learn about the variety of areas where they can legally employ international students & workers who are skilled and ready for the construction industry. By attending this event you will learn about the opportunities, process, timelines, and strategy when incorporating and accommodating international students and graduates within your organization.
This event is for construction contractors/employers, HR professionals and senior leadership who are currently embracing this opportunity or looking to be a champion of this work within their own company or the industry.
Learn more and Register
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AGC 2023 DEI Awards
Applications for the second annual AGC DEI Awards are now open! These awards recognize member businesses for their initiatives in the diversity, equity, and inclusion space, and are presented in four categories:
All applicants must be members in good standing with AGC of Minnesota for at least one year, and must sign the Culture of CARE Pledge. Submissions must relate to activities or initiatives conducted in the past 12 months.
Entries are judged by the AGC of Minnesota Diversity & Inclusion Judging Committee, based on the information provided in the application. Judges are non-members who are business owners, or work in educational institutions, government entities, and community-based organizations that work in tandem with the construction industry.
The 2023 Awards will be presented at the AGC Honors event on January 16, 2024 | St. Paul Event Center
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Rochester Area Member Networking + Expansion Plans Update
Networking opportunities are among the benefits AGC provides to members!
AGC members (and prospective members) are invited to join us for a networking event at Somerby Golf Club in Byron next Thursday, October 12.
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Thanks to Mayo Clinic's $4 billion expansion announcement this year, Destination Medical Center will hit its goal to bring $5.6 billion in economic development to downtown Rochester by 2033.
Come mingle with your industry peers and hear about the latest expansion plans in Rochester from Patrick Seeb and Wafa Elkhalifa of Destination Medical Center (DMC) Economic Development Agency.
The DMC is the state’s largest public-private economic development initiative, which aims to transform Rochester into a global destination for health and wellness.
Register to join us!
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CPP Open House
Join AWC and the City of Saint Paul for the Construction Partnering Program (CPP) Open House on Tuesday, October 24 from 3:00 - 5:00 PM at McGough's Headquarters. This FREE Open House will give attendees the opportunity to learn more about the program, meet current partners and more! Register here. Registration will close on Friday, October 20 at 5:00 PM.
This event is for contractors and subcontractors interested in mentoring smaller W/MBEs. Please note that you do not need to be an AWC Member.
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2024 Construction Summit
Registration is open both to attendees and sponsors/exhibitors for the 2024 Minnesota Construction Summit (January 17-18)!
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ATTENDEES: Save $50/person by registering before December 3.
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EXHIBITORS: Register early to get your preferred location!
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SPONSORS: The earlier you register, the more exposure you'll receive!
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Don't Miss These Events!
Register now for these upcoming AGC events:
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Thank You to our 2023 Annual Partners! | |
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Your Trusted Resource
Associated General Contractors of Minnesota
525 Park Street, Suite 110 | St. Paul, MN 55103
651-632-8929
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