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Economic Forecast Release Next Week
The February 2024 Budget and Economic Forecast is scheduled to be released Wednesday. This forecast gives the parameters for any possible spending by the Legislature this session.
Next week will be light on committee hearings with precinct caucuses being held on Tuesday. Political parties around the state organize meetings, or caucuses, to discuss issues and organize ahead of November’s general election.
The House and Senate Capital Investment Committees continue to hear program and project proposals, as well as understand how federal money is being utilized by the State.
There is no AGC Legislative Committee this week. Contact Laura Ziegler with any questions in the meantime.
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New Form Contracts Available...the Suite Six
The (March) 2024 – (February) 2025 AGC-MN short form construction contracts are now available. As always, AGC of Minnesota members are pre-licensed and should be set to go, and nonmembers may purchase a license. You can download all six contracts here.
AGC licenses are run through Microsoft software and based on domain names. Occasionally, a company’s Microsoft license is a little different than its web address or email address. If you have any troubles accessing the forms, let Mike know your correct domain address and we can adjust the license. Other technical specifications are available here.
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North Dakota Labor Negotiations
We are beginning negotiations on union contracts for North and South Dakota, and Northwest Minnesota (Cement Masons only). If you have not heard from Mike or Russ, let Mike know as soon as possible.
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A Safe Crash Course: Opportunities to Enhance MN Construction Work Zones
This webinar is intended for Leadership, Project Managers and Safety Personnel
You're invited to join us Friday, March 8 (10:30 am - 12:00 pm) for a Work Zone Safety webinar that will cover several topics pertaining to your workers' safety / work zones in 2024:
- Minnesota Statewide Work Zone Safety Industry Liaison Committee – what is it and how does my company get involved?
- What did the “Largest-Ever Transportation Infrastructure Legislation” include pertaining to Worker & Work Zone Safety?
- What is the Advisory Council on Traffic Safety and how are the Contractor’s voices heard?
- What is being done to mitigate speeds in Work Zones? (specs, technology, and dedicated funding)
- What is the latest with Speed Safety Cameras in Work Zones?
- What are “Connected Work Zones” and what elements are already being called out for in the MnDOT specs?
- What is the new “boilerplate” Standard Special Provision specification language regarding flaggers?
- What Legislative items are in the works?
This webinar will be available on demand if you are unable to attend on March 8 (registration is still required).
Presenters:
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Joseph Bruer
Work Zone Safety Supervisor
MnDOT Office of Construction and Innovative Contracting
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Reed Leidle
Vice President
Safety Signs, LLC
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Michelle Moser
State Work Zone Engineer
MnDOT
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Scholarship Application is Open!
The application form for 2024-2025 AGC of Minnesota Foundation scholarships is now open. Please share with any young people pursuing a degree in the construction industry!
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Minnesota Chamber Foundation provides recommendations to improve Minnesota’s permitting process
The Minnesota Chamber Foundation released Streamlining Minnesota’s environmental permitting process: Essential for economic growth yesterday. This report provides recommendations to increase certainty throughout Minnesota’s permitting system and provide actionable strategies to improve transparency and timeliness without lowering standards.
Key findings of the study include:
- Minnesota’s air permitting review times are 1.5 to 6 times longer than other peer states evaluated in this study.
- Minnesota could achieve meaningful economic gains by reducing permitting timelines.
- Minnesota has more extensive environmental review requirements than peer states.
The research examined Minnesota’s air, water and wetland permitting process, along with environmental review. In addition to the analysis around timeliness and certainty, the study compared Minnesota to neighboring and peer states, reveals the economic impact of delays and uncovers the challenges impacting transparency. The report also identifies clear and actionable strategies to streamline permitting for new business investments.
In the report, there are three overarching recommendations for improving Minnesota’s permitting system:
- Minnesota must reduce the time it takes to issue priority Tier 2 air and water permits, bringing the average and median timeframes closer to the agency’s 150-day goal.
- State regulators should address the backlogs of permit renewals and minor facility changes for air and water permits.
- Minnesota should improve transparency, certainty and collaboration throughout Minnesota’s permitting and environmental review programs.
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Spring load restrictions start in South, Southeast, and Metro frost zones
The Minnesota Department of Transportation will start spring load restrictions in the South, Southeast and Metro frost zones Monday, Feb. 26, at 12:01 a.m.
Winter load increases have already ended in the South, Southeast and Metro zones.
Seasonal load limit zones and restricted routes can be found on the MnDOT load limits map. Start and end dates and other load limit information are shown at mndot.gov/loadlimits.
Overweight permits for more than 80,000 pound gross vehicle weight will continue and new permits will be issued if all axle and group weights are legal (axle weight limits).
MnDOT will report start and end dates on its 24-hour automated message center at 1-800-723-6543 for the U.S. and Canada, and locally at 651-366-5400 for the Minneapolis/St. Paul area.
For the most current information, go to MnDOT’s automated 24-hour message center at 800-723-6543 for the U.S. and Canada, or 651-366-5400 for the Minneapolis/St. Paul area. This information is also published on the MnDOT seasonal load limits website at mndot.gov/loadlimits.
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Minnesota Truck-Weight Education Training
This training promotes voluntary compliance to reduce damage to public roads and highways from overweight vehicles. Its goal is to teach you how to haul the most legal weight without violating truck-weight laws.
You'll learn about road-weight regulations during various times of the year, including the winter load increase and spring load restrictions. How trucks are configured—with proper axle spacing and tire size—makes a difference.
Instructors will provide professional, easy-to-understand take-home materials to assist you with your own configurations and options. The training is updated to reflect changes in truck-weight legislation.
View the Schedule and Register.
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DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION (DEI) NEWS | |
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Boys & Girls Club Great Futures Fair
This week, Boys and Girls Club Twin Cities provided Teens and young adults the opportunity to meet with local corporations, businesses, colleges, tech schools, and trade unions as they begin to plan their post-secondary paths. Attendees, representing the next generation of the workforce, were provided the opportunity to experience a wide variety of hands-on, interactive opportunities with top Minnesota employers and education institutions.
A special thank you to all member firms who participated in various construction industry highlights!
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Mental Health Day on the Hill
March 7 - NAMI Minnesota
The theme this year is Spotlight Mental Health. There’s been a lot of talk lately about the importance of mental health. If legislators truly prioritize mental health let’s keep the light on mental health related legislation and infrastructure throughout the session!
Click here for more information.
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Women in Construction (WIC) Week: March 3-9, 2024
AGC of Minnesota is gearing up for WIC Week 2024. If you have industry women you would like to see featured, contact Renee Horsman for more information. Keep in mind AGC features women from all areas of the industry; not just the trades. Check out our past highlights:
NAWIC Minnesota WIC Week Events are up and available for registration here.
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The Concrete Guy
6520 Edenvale Blvd, Ste. 100
Eden Prairie, MN 55346
Concrete polishing, sealing, coatings, joint filling
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Steen Engineering
5430 Douglas Drive N.
Crystal, MN 55346
Mechanical, electrical, and plumbing consulting engineering
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Celebrating AGC Continuous Membership
Congratulations to the following AGC members celebrating decade milestones of continuous membership this year!
100 Years: Knutson Construction Services
90 Years: Kraus-Anderson Construction Company
80 Years:
Holmes Murphy Construction
Ziegler CAT & Ziegler Rental
70 Years:
Molin Concrete Products Company
White Cap
60 Years:
Satellite Shelters, Inc.
Sellin Brothers, Inc.
50 Years:
Baker Tilly US, LLP
Boulay PLLP
Shaw-Lundquist Associates, Inc.
40 Years:
Chubb Surety
Harris
The Boldt Company
30 Years:
JE Dunn Construction Company
Maslon LLP
Parsons Electric
Union Bank & Trust Company
20 Years:
BMO Commercial Bank
Construction Materials, Inc.
Martin Marietta
R and G Construction Co.
Valley Paving, Inc.
10 Years:
Anderson Brothers Construction Company
Associated Bank
General Equipment & Supplies, Inc.
North Valley, Inc.
RJM Construction LLC
Sunbelt Rentals, Inc.
Warning Lites of Minnesota, Inc.
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OSHA Annual Training from OECS
It's construction training season - the ideal time to make sure your OSHA annual training is complete. AGC members receive discounts on required OSHA training from OSHA + Environmental Compliance Systems (OECS)! Members also receive special discounted rates on a wide variety of classes offered in OECS’ Specialized Training Center. Don't miss this opportunity to prioritize safety and regulatory compliance in your construction projects.
Learn more here | Class Registration | Contact OECS
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Registration is open for all of the following events! Act quickly to reserve your spot! | |
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Networking Event - April 11
(Coyote Moon Grille | St. Cloud)
Join the AGC Board of Directors and your industry colleagues for some informal networking!
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Golf Tournament - August 2
(Keller Golf Course | Maplewood)
This tournament sold out in record time last year - get your foursome or sponsorships ASAP!
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St. Paul Saints Game - August 7
(CHS Field | St. Paul)
Join AGC and MBEX members for an afternoon of Minnesota Twins AAA baseball against the Columbus Clippers!
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Sporting Clays Fundraiser - Sept 11
(Minnesota Horse & Hunt Club | Prior Lake)
Register your team of 5 to join us at the 25th Annual Sporting Clays Fundraiser to benefit the AGC of Minnesota Foundation!
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Holiday Reception - December 4
(Minneapolis Event Center)
Join your industry colleagues to celebrate another great year together!
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AGC Honors 2025 - February 18
(317 on Rice Park Event Center | St. Paul)
Join us as we honor award recipients This annual event brings together industry leaders and change-makers as we celebrate stellar work over the past year as well as over the past decades.
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Thank You to our 2024 Annual Partners! | |
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Don't Miss These Events!
Register now or save the date for these upcoming AGC events:
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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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