Greater St. Cloud Development Corporation

Merry Christmas from the GSDC team - NeTia Bauman, Gail Cruikshank, Leslie Chmielewski Dingmann, and Tammy Haakonson Campion!

We hope you and your loved ones enjoy a wonderful time together, filled with unforgettable memories!

We are celebrating the 25th Anniversary of the St. Cloud Area Quarterly Business Report (QBR) with an After-Dark Review!

Thursday, January 4
The Pickled Loon I The Nest (2nd floor) I 715 St. Germain St. W., St. Cloud
4 - 5 p.m.

Presentation starts at 4 p.m.

Register at https://forms.gle/CFMNdfV6RrcMUrvJ9

The QBR Review is a must-attend event for organizations and business leaders in the Greater St. Cloud area as it provides a comprehensive look at the economic and business landscape of the region.

The QBR Review is presented by King Banaian, Interim Dean, College of Education and Learning Design, St. Cloud State University and Mana Komai Molle, Chair, Department of Economics, St. Cloud State University.

Get the Latest Business News Straight to Your Inbox with GSDC's Bi-Weekly Developing News!

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https://www.greaterstcloud.com

Anderson Trucking Service - ATS, located in St. Cloud, has generously donated $1 million to help over 400 families of employees in the United States and Canada through its charitable foundation, the Anderson Assistance Foundation!

The foundation aims to assist drivers, independent contractors, warehouse staff, and office workers who are facing difficult circumstances.

Congratulations to ATS, a GSDC corporate investor, on this remarkable achievement!

Photo credit: KNSI

St. Cloud’s Anderson Trucking Service Makes a Difference With $1 Million in Aid to Over 400 Families (KNSI) - St. Cloud-based Anderson Trucking Service has doled out $1 million to workers' families through its c...

Are you still searching for an extraordinary Christmas gift for your loved ones? Are you in need of a last-minute gift for a colleague? Or are you looking for a new set of vibrant Christmas decorations to spruce up your home? Look no further than Modern Barnyard!

*Important Note:** Please follow the map directions as the Sauk River Bridge is currently closed.

U of M Board of Regents Approves St. Cloud Medical School!

We are happy to share that the University of MN Board of Regents has approved the creation of a medical school in St. Cloud. This exciting new venture will be a partnership with CentraCare, and will focus on producing doctors to serve smaller cities and towns throughout the state, as well as providing care for immigrant communities. The school is set to open in 2025.

Congratulations CentraCare, a GSDC corporate investor!

Photo credit: KNSI

U of M Board of Regents Approves St. Cloud Medical School (KNSI) - The University of Minnesota Board of Regents has given a medical school in St. Cloud the green light....

Participating in a Central Minnesota Exploring Post is a great way to continue to explore careers or your passions! Find out more information at https://www.bsacmc.org/exploring!

About St. Cloud Shines St. Cloud Shines is a community initiative that started in 2019 in an effort to highlight all the good happening in our region every day — the people, places...

Coming to You (St. Cloud) LIVE: Forum Communications St. Cloud LIVE is a local news website launched in early February by Forum Communications Company, based in Fargo, ND. Its mission is to connect and inform communities, and Forum Communications is proud to be serving St. Cloud and Central Minnesota.

ILT Academy - C27 Virtual Founder Showcase Expo Virtual Founder Showcase for the Fall 2023 100 Series Cohort (C27)

CentraCare-St. Cloud Hospital Named a "Premier Place to Have a Baby" by U.S. News & World Report!

We happy to share that CentraCare-St. Cloud Hospital, one of GSDC's corporate investors, has been recognized as a "Premier Place to Have a Baby" by U.S. News & World Report.

Congratulations to the maternity care staff for their dedication and commitment to providing exceptional care to the growing families in our community!

Photo credit: KNSI

CentraCare-St. Cloud Hospital Shines as Premier Place to Have a Baby (KNSI) - CentraCare-St. Cloud Hospital is recognized as one of the best places to have a baby. The birth cente...

Introducing the Eager Explorers Activity Kit – the Perfect Holiday Gift for Curious Learners Aged 5-8!

We are happy to share that Impacks, a GSDC advocate investor, has launched the Eager Explorers Activity Kit. This makes for an excellent holiday gift idea for young learners, aged five to eight, who are interested in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math).

Congratulations Clare Richards & Brandon Richards and the Impacks Team for launching this latest educational idea!

Exciting News: The City of St. Cloud Will Host a New Veterans Center Outstation!

We are happy to share that the City of St. Cloud has been selected as the site for a new U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Veterans Center Outstation. This initiative will provide better access to mental health services for active service members, veterans, and their families.

Photo credit: KNSI News

St. Cloud Chosen for New Veterans Center Outstation (KNSI) - St. Cloud has been selected as a site for one of six new Vet Center Outstations in the country to imp...

Discover a Stunning Winter Wonderland at the Sartell Country Lights Festival!

If you're on the lookout for another holiday light display to visit, make sure to check out the Sartell Country Lights Festival. Running until December 31, this breathtaking 33-acre winter wonderland, complete with over a million twinkling lights, is located just off Pinecone Rd in Sartell.

Photo credit: WJON

Santa Is Coming! Sartell's Country Lights Festival Opens THIS Friday! [GALLERY] Throughout the winter the festival will host special events like s'mores night, fireworks night, senior night and Santa night. On select nights there is also a kids' train ride that takes little ones around the entire loop!

Discover Fun and Festive Holiday Activities in Downtown Sauk Rapids!

Are you seeking some festive holiday entertainment tomorrow morning? You won't want to miss the Jingle & Mingle event in Downtown Sauk Rapids on Saturday, December 9th.

More details available at https://bit.ly/413Xcpz

Empowering Innovation in Minnesota through the Region!

The GSDC is happy to announce we recently received Education Grant funding from the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) to continue leading innovation initiatives in Central and West Central Minnesota. We are excited to utilize this opportunity to connect, empower, and propel the skilled individuals and businesses within the area forward.

To learn more visit https://bit.ly/3uT3bl6

New Business Alert!

Carla's Jewelry recently opened at 21 7th Ave. S., St. Cloud in the former Bachman's Jewelers location.

Carla, we wish you the very best of luck with your new endeavor and thank you for investing in the Greater St. Cloud community

Photo Credit: KNSI News

Join The White Horse for an America's Best Restaurants Watch Party!

The popular Downtown St. Cloud restaurant will be featured in an upcoming episode of America's Best Restaurants, showcasing their mouth-watering cuisine.

You're invited to the watch party, which will take place on Wednesday, Dec. 6th, at 5 p.m. The episode will be available on America's Best Restaurants YouTube Channel and https://www.facebook.com/whitehorsemn. Don't miss out on this exciting event!

St. Cloud Area School District 742 Wins $2.5 Million Grant from US Department of Education!

We are happy to announce that the St. Cloud Area School District 742 has recently been granted a five-year $2.5 million Full-Service Community School grant from the U.S. Department of Education.

With this grant, the district will be launching two Full-Service Community Schools at the Discovery Community School and North Junior High School.

Congratulations to the St. Cloud Area School District 742, a GSDC investor, for their amazing achievement!

St. Cloud Area School District receives $2.5M grant The five-year grant from the U.S. Department of Education will be used to launch two full-service community schools.

We recently held our All-Investors Meeting and I-Awards Event on November 16th. Working with Tessa from Harvester Square was an absolute delight, as her attention to detail and expertise was invaluable in making our event truly awesome.

Events space in historic St. Cloud building is part of her plan Owner Tessa Johnson this year launched Harvester Square, a wedding and event center inside the former International Harvester building at 539 E. St. Germain St.

Dr. Eric McFarling, a hospitalist in the CentraCare Health System, has been named the 2023 Hospitalist of the Year by the Minnesota Chapter of the American College of Physicians (ACP).

Congratulations Dr. McFarling!

Winter has come, and so have the fun winter festivities! Get ready to put on your warmest coat and head to the Joetown WinterWalk, taking place on Friday, December 1, in the heart of Downtown St. Joseph.

Learn more at https://bit.ly/3MyU2Em

We are happy to share year-round direct Allegiant flights between the St. Cloud Regional Airport and Mesa, AZ have returned through Summer 2024!

Year Round Allegiant Service Returning to St. Cloud Airport Year-round direct flights between the St. Cloud Regional Airport and Mesa, Arizona are returning.

St. Cloud State University, a GSDC corporate investor, has been awarded a $1.88 million grant from the National Science Foundation for the Resource Collaborative for Immersive Technologies (RECITE) initiative.

This three-year Advanced Technological Education project will provide educators with the resources necessary to incorporate augmented and virtual reality into their classrooms.

Congratulations!

Experience Festive Cheer at St. Cloud's Weihnachtsmarkt!

Mark your calendars for Nov. 30 and head on down to Downtown St. Cloud for the German-inspired outdoor holiday event of the year! All the festive fun is sure to get you in the holiday spirit!

Greater St. Cloud is home to many small and local shops, restaurants, and service provider businesses! Make sure to shop at a few on Small Business Saturday! Small Business Saturday – a day to celebrate and support small businesses and all they do for our communities.

Introducing the GSDC's First Employer of Choice Winner!

The new “Employer of Choice” award is defined by the GSDC as recognizing a business that has risen to workforce challenges, maintaining a positive and high performing workplace with industry leading practices and innovations to retain and recruit staff.

The inaugural winner of the GSDC's Employer of Choice Award is Preferred Credit Inc. PCI has an impressive employee retention rate and long-standing tenure, coupled with strong leadership, engaged and diverse workers, and a wide array of benefits that set them apart from competitors.

Congratulations, PCI, on your well-deserved win!

View video at https://youtu.be/DOaOtMmBn8o

We want to extend our huge thanks to Nick Tietz and ILT Academy for his commitment, expertise, and passion in fostering small business growth in the Greater St. Cloud region. Your dedication has made a significant impact on the community!

Learn more at https://bit.ly/47rr4yA

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We are happy to share walkers and bikers can use a newly opened section of the Beaver Island Trail from Opportunity Dr. in St. Cloud to the City of Clearwater!

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Beaver Island Trail Open between St. Cloud and Clearwater Construction has wrapped up on the Beaver Island Trail between St. Cloud and Clearwater and the trail is open.

Introducing the 12th Annual GSDC Innovation Winners!

This week, we are thrilled to announce our 2023 GSDC Innovation Award winners.

Since 2012, the GSDC has recognized 57 organizations/businesses that showcase innovative ideas and practices through new products, services, technologies, or business models that provide a fresh approach to solving a challenge, improve stakeholder experiences, and generate added value and/or revenue for the organization.

We are proud to highlight Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Minnesota as one of our esteemed non-profit winners. In partnership with the St. Cloud Area School District 742 and Granite Partners, BBBS started the BIG Partners Initiative, which was created to strengthen educational, college, and career opportunities for students facing barriers.

Congratulations, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Minnesota, for your well-deserved win!

View video at https://youtu.be/RMyZG7ACHoA

Introducing the 12th Annual GSDC Innovation Winners!

This week, we are thrilled to announce our 2023 GSDC Innovation Award winners.

Since 2012, the GSDC has recognized 57 organizations/businesses that showcase innovative ideas and practices through new products, services, technologies, or business models that provide a fresh approach to solving a challenge, improve stakeholder experiences, and generate added value and/or revenue for the organization.

We are proud to highlight GREAT Theatre as one of our esteemed non-profit winners. GREAT’s annual Youth Artist Project exposes high school students to the variety of roles and career opportunities in theatre.

Congratulations, GREAT Theatre on your well-deserved win!

View video at https://youtu.be/S0PfaV3g4PI

Introducing the 12th Annual GSDC Innovation Winners!

This week, we are thrilled to announce our 2023 GSDC Innovation Award winners.

Since 2012, the GSDC has recognized 57 organizations/businesses that showcase innovative ideas and practices through new products, services, technologies, or business models that provide a fresh approach to solving a challenge, improve stakeholder experiences, and generate added value and/or revenue for the organization.

We are proud to highlight Blattner Company as one of our esteemed for-profit winners. They launched a leader onboarding program to accommodate workforce growth to match the increased demand for renewable energy.

Congratulations, Blattner Company, on your well-deserved win!

View video at https://youtu.be/2NLnxEuYzdc