START.UP CONNECT – ST. CLOUD INSPIRES COLLABORATION AND IDEAS
GSDC CEO & President NeTia Bauman, CEcD (front center, in white shirt) and Dr. Chris Brooks, Co-Founder and Managing Partner at Brown Venture Group (alongside NeTia in gray jacket), were guest speakers at the Aug. 2 Start.up Connect – St. Cloud meeting.
Start.up Connect – St. Cloud, a twice-monthly meeting of entrepreneurs, innovators, creatives and others who are curious, is free and open to anyone.
Held from 8:00 to 9:15 a.m. the first and third Wednesday of each month, attendees explore the entrepreneurial journey and share ideas with founders from central Minnesota and beyond. Sessions begin with 30 minutes of coffee and networking, followed by two guest speakers who share their stories of starting an organization or program, and conclude with Q&A time.
Since Start.up Connect – St. Cloud began in Dec. 2022, some 240 people have attended the meetings at ILT Studios, 113 5th Ave. S., Suite 200.
The next one is Wednesday, Aug. 16, and you’re invited.
CONGRATULATIONS TO CENTRACARE ON ITS HIGH RANKINGS
CentraCare Heart & Vascular – St. Cloud Hospital, ranked High Performing for Cardiology, Heart & Vascular Surgery by U.S. News & World Report, continues to be a pioneer in performing electrophysiology and structural heart procedures.
In its annual list of Best Hospitals released last week, U.S. News & World Report ranked CentraCare – St. Cloud Hospital tied for second best in Minnesota, behind only the Mayo Clinic.
U.S. News, which also ranked CentraCare as High Performing in three adult specialties and 13 procedures/conditions, generates hospital rankings by evaluating data on nearly 5,000 hospitals. To be nationally ranked in a specialty, a hospital must excel in caring for the sickest, most medically complex patients.
Click here for full ranking details.
DEED COMMISSIONER (AND RECENT GSDC BOARD MEMBER) VARILEK IN THE NEWS
Matt Varilek, the new Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development, answered questions about the state’s opportunities and challenges in a recent Star Tribune story.
During his time as President of the Initiative Foundation, he also served on the GSDC’s Board of Directors.
We miss his input but are happy to have another Central Minnesota voice in state government. Matt joins another former GSDC board member – Willie Jett, now Commissioner of Education – in State of Minnesota leadership.
We plan to feature them both in a future edition of the Developing News.
2023 CONNECTING ENTREPRENEURIAL COMMUNITIES CONFERENCE – SEPT. 14-15
An annual community development conference is being held just down the road from us next month, in New London.
The 2023 Connecting Entrepreneurial Communities Conference is Sept. 14-15 at GrandStay Hotel & Suites at Little Crow.
The event will showcase tools and resources available to support Minnesota entrepreneurs, bring other state and national resources to Minnesota’s regional networks, and more.
The conference is being led by University of Minnesota Extension Department of Community Development and joined by the Minnesota Small Business Development Centers, Rethos, Launch Minnesota, Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development, and other entrepreneurship-supporting organizations.
Click here for additional information or to sign up by the Aug. 15 registration deadline.
UPCOMING EVENTS
“UNITED WAY’S AMAZING-EST RACE” – AUG. 19
Winners of the Amazing-est Race, 2022 – Hometown Hengels
Get ready for the ultimate adventure during United Way of Central Minnesota’s Amazing-est Race on Saturday, Aug. 19 from 9:30 a.m. – 2 p.m. at Lake George!
Teams will race through downtown St. Cloud, unraveling clues and taking on a series of unique challenges. From searching for hidden items to deciphering riddles, every step will test your wit, endurance, and creativity.
All proceeds will benefit United Way’s mental health initiative and thanks to GeoComm, top finishing teams will take home a cash prize.
Lace up your sneakers and gear up for a day filled with adventure, camaraderie, and the chance to make unforgettable memories in the Amazing-est Race!
Click here to register.
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Contact Our Staff Team
NeTia Bauman, CEcD, CEO & President
pgartland@greaterstcloud.com | 320.260.2442
Leslie Dingmann, CecD, Business Development Director
ldingmann@greaterstcloud.com | 320.493.9003
Gail Cruikshank, Talent Director
gcruikshank@greaterstcloud.com | 320.260.6775
Tammy Campion, Communications & Program Specialist
tcampion@greaterstcloud.com | 320.252.5185