Check out AGC of Minnesota’s 2023 Mid-Session Overview to see what has transpired at the MN Legislature so far and what’s in play affecting the MN Construction Industry.

Next week the Legislature will continue to vote on omnibus budget bills in preparation for conference committees to negotiate differences between the House and the Senate.

The following op-ed was written by Rich Juliano, General Counsel & Managing Director, Contractors Division, the American Road, and Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA):

With bipartisan support, the Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act (IIJA), enacted in Nov. 2021, maintained these requirements, while adding “construction materials” through a provision called the Build America, Buy America Act. Specifically, Congress listed non-ferrous metals (like copper and aluminum), plastic and polymer-based products, glass, lumber, and drywall as new categories to cover. Lawmakers also explicitly exempted cement and cementitious materials; aggregates such as stone, sand, or gravel; and aggregate binding agents or additives. ARTBA and other groups made a compelling case that including those particular materials would severely disrupt existing supply chains. Keep Reading

THE LATEST: At the expense of YOUR highway projects, jobs, and funding, the Federal Highway Administration is moving to throw out decades-old supply chain precedent for good politics.

WHAT TO DO: It takes less than 45 seconds to send the prewritten message telling the U.S. DOT that you support the current waiver! You can also add your own personal comments about the need to have sensible Buy America requirements that help build America and strengthen domestic manufacturing.

WHY IT MATTERS: Removing this waiver would make it very difficult—if not impossible in some cases—to domestically source all highway project manufactured products (lighting, signals, electrical, etc.) and construction materials (concrete, precast concrete, cement, etc.).

The Minnesota Construction Coalition to Advance Worker Wellbeing, in partnership with Wings of Hope, is hosting an event on Suicide Prevention Awareness.

Following December's Leadership Summit, the goal is to continue the conversation on worker wellbeing and the power of lived experience. Join us on Friday, May 5 to hear a special presentation by suicide attempt survivor, storyteller, and filmmaker Kevin Hines.

Register now to reserve your spot!

More than 200 construction projects that will help maintain Minnesota’s roads, bridges and transportation infrastructure; improve safety and mobility; and support jobs will be worked on across the state this year, the Minnesota Department of Transportation announced Wednesday.

Planned construction projects include 171 road and bridge projects, plus 52 projects that will improve airports, water ports, railroad crossings and transit infrastructure.

For an overview of the 2023 state construction program, including interactive maps and full project lists, visit mndot.gov/construction. Individual project pages include information about construction schedules, detours and traffic impacts, maps, benefits and project costs.

The Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis needs your input on business conditions in the construction sector.

Please take this short survey to help the Minneapolis Fed better understand conditions at your company and across the sector.

All responses are anonymous. To maintain anonymity, please do not include any self-identifying information in comments. If you receive this survey from multiple sources, please respond once.

AGC of America and survey partner HCSS are asking all highway and transportation members help improve work zone safety by completing this brief survey. AGC is collecting information on the number, severity, impacts and potential solutions to highway work zone crashes. Results will be used for a media and public education campaign launched the week before Memorial Day to encourage motorists to be more careful in work zones.

Please take a few minutes to complete this important highway work zone safety survey by May 12th.

Click here for more information and to apply.

Applications must be received by May 19.

Harold Theisen, retired CEO of Gridor Construction, Inc. was on hand at the St. Cloud member networking event to receive a plaque recognizing Gridor for 50 years of continuous membership with AGC of Minnesota.

Gridor Construction, Inc. is a family-owned, third-generation general contractor dedicated to the construction of water and wastewater treatment and pumping facilities in the Upper Midwest since 1970. Their success is attributable to the retention of long-term office and field personnel, self performing work to the greatest extent possible, utilizing innovative construction techniques and equipment, and keeping current with the latest technology.

Join AGC staff and members along with MBEX Young Professionals for a St. Paul Saints game against the Louisville Bats on Wednesday, August 9 at 1:07 pm! Food and comfortable accommodations included!

Interested in how advertising through AGC could benefit your firm?

Take a look at AGC's Media Kit, and contact Katie to learn more.