Minneapolis Building and Construction Trades Council

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.
Sh***un 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!

08/10/2026

Please remember to vote in the primary tomorrow. The Minnesota Building Trades has endorsed Angie Craig for US Senate.

Angie recognizes that "Labor is the backbone of Minnesota and our nation. Whether it’s on the picket line or in Congress, I will always stand with our unions."

She has been a great ally in the US House and we can't wait to work with her in the US Senate.

08/05/2026

UPDATE: This community gathering has been moved to tomorrow, Thursday August 6 at 12:30PM at 560 6th Avenue North.

UPDATE: This community gathering has been moved to tomorrow, THURSDAY August 6 at 12:30PM at 560 6th Avenue North.

The Blue Line Extension is an investment in Minnesota's future that will strengthen our workforce, support local communities, and create opportunities that last for generations.

For the Minneapolis Building & Construction Trades Council, this project means good union jobs and lasting economic development. Building the Blue Line will put skilled union tradespeople to work, create opportunities for the next generation through registered apprenticeships, and support businesses and neighborhoods along the corridor as the region continues to grow.

Infrastructure projects like this connect people to opportunity while helping build a stronger regional economy.

We are proud to stand with our partners in supporting the Blue Line Extension and keeping this important project moving forward.

08/04/2026

UPDATE: This community gathering has been moved to tomorrow, THURSDAY August 6 at 12:30PM at 560 6th Avenue North.

The Blue Line Extension is an investment in Minnesota's future that will strengthen our workforce, support local communities, and create opportunities that last for generations.

For the Minneapolis Building & Construction Trades Council, this project means good union jobs and lasting economic development. Building the Blue Line will put skilled union tradespeople to work, create opportunities for the next generation through registered apprenticeships, and support businesses and neighborhoods along the corridor as the region continues to grow.

Infrastructure projects like this connect people to opportunity while helping build a stronger regional economy.

We are proud to stand with our partners in supporting the Blue Line Extension and keeping this important project moving forward.

07/27/2026

"Blocking responsible development does not stop technological change; it simply sends investment, jobs and tax revenue to states with weaker labor standards and weaker environmental protections." — Dan McConnell, Business Manager, Minneapolis Building & Construction Trades Council

The future of data center development depends on thoughtful conversations that include workers, communities, and the skilled union trades that build this critical infrastructure.

Newsweek is highlighting the growing debate around data centers, the future of AI infrastructure, and what it means for workers, communities, and our economy. The Minneapolis Building & Construction Trades Council is proud to help bring the voice of skilled union construction workers into that conversation.

As this debate continues, we'll keep advocating for solutions that create family-sustaining union jobs while ensuring projects are built responsibly and with communities in mind.

Read the story:

Labor unions are embracing the construction of data centers as environmental concerns mount among many Americans.

07/24/2026

This summer, the Minneapolis Building Trades Council is partnering with interns from the Occupational Health Internship Program (OHIP) to better understand construction workers' exposure to hazardous materials on the job.

If you're a construction worker, please take a few minutes to complete this anonymous survey. Your participation will help support research that can improve health and safety for workers across our industry.

Take the survey here: https://uic.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_bpdxPvqJxMERTWC

Thank you for helping build a safer future for our trades.

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