Minneapolis Building and Construction Trades Council

09/18/2026

Behind every data center are skilled people doing very physical work.

Electricians, pipefitters, laborers, operating engineers, ironworkers, sheet metal workers, carpenters and apprentices build the infrastructure that keeps the digital economy running.

Major Minnesota investment should create high-quality Minnesota careers.

09/16/2026

Nobody wants a surprise on their utility bill.

Responsible development starts with clear expectations. Large projects should be transparent about their energy needs and the infrastructure they require, with protections for families and small businesses.

Get the facts. Ask the questions. Make your voice heard.

09/16/2026

Congratulations to Goodwill-Easter Seals and Building Strong Communities on receiving the City of Minneapolis Excellence in Workforce Development Awards!

Yesterday, Mayor Jacob Frey recognized both organizations for their work serving Minneapolis residents and employers.

We’re especially proud to see Building Strong Communities recognized for helping connect people with opportunities in the union building trades—creating pathways to family-supporting careers while strengthening our workforce and our communities.

Congratulations to everyone making this important work possible!

We’re honored to be recognized for connecting Minneapolis residents to life-changing careers!

Building Strong Communities (BSC) was proud to receive the Cities’ Excellence in Workforce Development Award — Service Delivery, presented today by the City of Minneapolis Workforce Development Board and Mayor Jacob Frey.

Our innovative Apprenticeship Outreach Office, established in 2025 in partnership with the City of Minneapolis, helps connect city residents to opportunities through registered apprenticeship—opening doors to family-sustaining careers and long-term economic mobility.

This recognition belongs to the partners, apprentices, employers, and community members who are helping us build stronger communities through opportunity. Thank you!

09/15/2026

Data centers are taking up a lot of Minneapolis headspace right now. Since we’re already talking about them, let’s have a real conversation.

Minneapolis has an opportunity to decide what responsible data center development should look like in our state. That starts with being Smart From the Start.

For Minneapolis, that means strong standards that protect ratepayers and resources, create good union jobs, and deliver real benefits to the communities where projects are built.

Get informed. Stay engaged. Make your voice heard every step of the way.

Building Better Communities Every Day

09/11/2026

A proposed data center at the former Star Tribune printing plant has been withdrawn following significant community opposition.

Residents have every right to raise concerns about energy use, water, noise and neighborhood impact. Those questions deserve real answers. At the same time, Minneapolis needs a process that allows proposals to be carefully evaluated before potential investment, jobs and tax revenue leave the city.

Not all data centers are the same, and not every proposal is right for every location. We support strong standards and a project-by-project review that considers environmental impacts, infrastructure needs, neighborhood concerns, community benefits and the quality of the jobs being created.

Minneapolis can protect its residents while remaining open to responsible development and quality union careers. We should be willing to have that conversation.

Legacy Investing terminated its purchase agreement weeks after North Loop neighbors blasted its data center proposal.

08/27/2026

The City of Minneapolis Government is having an important conversation about data centers and what their growth could mean for our city.

The Minneapolis Building and Construction Trades Council believes responsible data center development can create family-supporting union careers, expand apprenticeship opportunities and bring new investment to Minneapolis.

We also believe strong standards should be part of the plan from day one. That means responsible water and energy planning. Protecting ratepayers. Transparency. Community involvement. Project Labor Agreements and skilled union workers. Developers being accountable for the infrastructure their projects require.

Data center development should be Smart From the Start.

Over the coming weeks, we’ll be sharing more about data centers, the people who build them and the standards we believe responsible projects should meet.

Minneapolis Downtown CouncilDan McConnellMortensonMinnesota Chamber of Commerce

08/25/2026

Data centers are critical infrastructure that underpin America’s digital economy, data security, and national security. NABTU supports the GRID principles outlined by Governor Josh Shapiro and applauds his reasonable, measured approach to responsible data center development.

Read more: https://nabtu.org/press_releases/north-americas-building-trades-unions-applaud-governor-shapiros-responsible-approach-to-data-center-development/

08/20/2026

A proposed data center at the former Star Tribune printing facility is giving Minneapolis a real opportunity to talk about what responsible data center development can look like.

This North Loop Neighborhood Association article shares what the potential developer is saying about plans for the site, including reusing the existing building, cooling and water use, power infrastructure, noise and possibilities for the surrounding property.

These are exactly the conversations Minneapolis should be having.

We support responsible data center development because these projects can bring investment and create opportunities for skilled union workers and apprentices. We also believe projects should meet strong standards, protect ratepayers and natural resources, and provide real benefits to the communities where they are built.

There is still a process ahead for this proposal, including community input and City review. That process matters. Good development starts with good information, clear expectations and a seat at the table for the people who will be affected.

Read more from the North Loop Neighborhood Association:

This week, the North Loop Neighborhood Association (NLNA), in partnership with the U of M’s Minnesota Design Center, is hosting community workshops to gather community input about the proposed data...

08/17/2026

The Minneapolis Building Trades’ 30th Annual Dollars Against Diabetes Golf Event is coming up September 9, 2026.

Join us for a day of golf, solidarity and support for a great cause.

September 9, 2026
Registration: 7:30–8:30 a.m.
Shotgun Start: 9:00 a.m.
Golf: 9:00 a.m.–1:30 p.m.
Social Hour: 1:30–2:30 p.m.
Banquet: 2:30–4:00 p.m.

Register/learn more:

08/12/2026

Congratulations to the candidates endorsed by the Minneapolis Building and Construction Trades Council as we move forward from the primary and toward November!

We’re proud to support candidates who understand the importance of working people, strong communities, good jobs, safe workplaces, and family-sustaining careers.

Our endorsed candidates:

🔹 Jennifer Geisler — Anoka County District 4
🔹 Nichole Klonowski — Brooklyn Park City Council, Central District
🔹 Bernice David-Cooper — Brooklyn Park City Council, West District
🔹 Christian Eriksen — Brooklyn Park City Council, East District
🔹 Hollies Winston — Brooklyn Park Mayor
🔹 Thomas Huling — C**n Rapids City Council, Ward 5
🔹 Patrick Gage — Edina City Council
🔹 Irene Fernando — Hennepin County Commissioner, District 2
🔹 Marion Greene — Hennepin County Commissioner, District 3
🔹 Dawanna Witt — Hennepin County Sheriff
🔹 Ilhan Omar — U.S. House, Minnesota Congressional District 5
🔹 Mary Supple — Richfield Mayor
🔹 Darci Smith — Minnesota House, District 37A
🔹 Kristy Janigo — Minnesota Senate, District 37
🔹 Ron Latz — Minnesota Senate, District 46
🔹 Dan Kessler — Minnesota Senate, District 48
🔹 Simon Trautmann — Minnesota Senate, District 51

Congratulations to our endorsed candidates, and thank you to everyone who made their voice heard in the primary.

Now, on to November!