Minnesota Department of Transportation

511 Travel Info

Civil Rights

Ensuring equal opportunity for all businesses and personnel on our projects

Events

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January 2026


Business Elevation workshop – Ahead of the bid: How to find state and local construction work

Join us for a hands-on workshop for small businesses. Learn how to find public construction projects and prepare strong bids. Our speakers will show how to use key tools and websites used by MnDOT and local agencies. You’ll see live demos and walk away with tips you can use right away. If you are new to public contracting, you will gain a clear starting point. If you are currently bidding on projects, you will learn how to plan ahead and better compete. Presenters: Ellie Pflager, Office of State Procurement - Acquisitions Management Specialty Vendor Liaison; Nancy Boeve, MnDOT - Contracts and Lettings Supervisor; Mindy Heinkel, MnDOT - Advancing Equity Director; Elisa Bottos, MnDOT State Aid - Project Delivery Engineer

  • Jan. 7, 2026
  • 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
  • MnDOT Shoreview Training and Conference Center, 1900 County Road I West - Room 10, Shoreview (Note, depending on your map this may read Arden Hills or North Oaks)
  • Register for Jan. 7 Ahead of the bid

DBE and Workforce Collaborative Leadership committee meeting

The Leadership committee of the DBE and Workforce Collaborative establishes agendas for upcoming Collaborative meetings, makes recommendations to the Collaborative and MnDOT, and provides oversight and direction to other subcommittees. If you are interested in joining the Collaborative Leadership committee, please reach out to Marissa Galan at the email address listed below.

  • Jan. 7, 2026
  • 11 a.m. - 12 p.m.
  • Meet online via Teams. Link will be provided when you register.
  • Contact: Marissa Galan, collaborative@lotakgroup.com

Social Circle - Marketing ideas swap: Small budget, big impact

Social Circle is a monthly roundtable for business owners and entrepreneurs. Join us in a welcoming space to connect and share experiences. Gain fresh perspectives and make meaningful connections. Walk away with useful insights you can apply to your business. Come with ideas. Leave with inspiration. 

DBE Committee meeting

The DBE committee is part of the DBE and Workforce Collaborative. This committee identifies issues related to building the capacity and sustainability of DBE firms and makes recommendations to MnDOT.

  • Jan. 13, 2026
  • 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
  • Meet online via Teams. Link will be provided when you register.
  • Contact: Marissa Galan, collaborative@lotakgroup.com

Spark Session - Business finance made simple: QuickBooks, cash flow and tax readiness

Take control of your business finances with this hands-on session. Learn how to track income and expenses, manage cash flow, generate reports, and prepare for tax season. Whether you are a beginner or already use QuickBooks, you will strengthen your financial foundation. We will share simple steps, live examples, and easy shortcuts you can use right away. Bring a laptop with the latest version of QuickBooks.

Spark Session - Gather the right 2025 tax documents

Make tax season less stressful and more strategic. In this session, a certified public accountant will walk you through what to prepare, what to watch for, and how to avoid common mistakes. You’ll learn what records to keep, how to organize your expenses, and what counts as deductible. We’ll also touch on how to prepare for an audit and understand depreciation. This session will also guide you on the right business structure for your long-term goals.

February 2026


Business elevation workshop - From compliance to confidence: Mastering safety and health plans - TENTATIVE

This workshop is for small construction businesses. Learn how to create effective safety and health plans. You will leave with a clear understanding of the rules and the risks of not having a safety plan, and you will get practical tools to build a safer, stronger business. This session includes a presentation, interactive breakouts, and networking with other business owners. Presenter: Keith Juliar, MnDOT Emergency Management, Safety and Workers’ Compensation Manager. Learn how to build a safety plan for your whole company and for specific projects. Learn how to prepare for OSHA visits and know what to expect. Learn to use templates and examples to create your own safety paperwork. Learn from common mistakes by looking at real-life examples. Learn how to create a weekly safety message and plan for responding to accidents. Understand why a strong safety plan gives you a competitive advantage.