Greetings!
As we approach the end of this transformative year, I want to express my gratitude for the warm welcome I’ve received since joining the Greater St. Cloud Development Corporation six months ago. Together, we’ve made meaningful strides in our mission to advance our economic development efforts regionally, and I’m excited for the opportunities that lie ahead in the coming year.
On behalf of the rest of the GSDC team – Gail, Leslie and Tammy – we wish you and your loved ones a joyous holiday season filled with hope, connection and the promise of a brighter future for all.
With gratitude,
NeTia Bauman, CEO & President
GSDC RECEIVES 2 GRANTS FROM DEED TOTALING $400,000
The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) has awarded the GSDC two grants for the 2024-2025 state fiscal years.
A Small Business Assistance Partnership program (SBAP) grant of $280,000 will allow us to establish a concentrated, small business and startup ecosystem building program limited to the Greater St. Cloud region. Services will include business development and technical assistance services to entrepreneurs and small business owners.
A Launch MN Entrepreneurial Education Grant Program of $120,000 allows the GSDC to continue serving as the FastLane94 hub lead to provide education and support to entrepreneurs and startups throughout the West Central and Central MN region.
CELEBRATE QBR’S 25TH ANNIVERSARY DURING HAPPY HOUR ON JAN. 4
What better way to toast 25 years of excellent analysis of the region’s economic and business landscape than with a happy hour presentation of the latest St. Cloud Area Quarterly Business Report (QBR)?
The After-Dark Review will be on Thursday, Jan. 4, from 4-5 p.m. at the Pickled Loon (in the Nest, on the second floor), 715 W. St. Germain St. in St. Cloud. Feel free to purchase a beverage at the bar before heading upstairs for the presentation. Afterward, stick around for another beverage and networking opportunities.
As always, the QBR – which is co-sponsored by the GSDC – will be presented by St. Cloud State’s King Banaian, Interim Dean, College of Education and Learning Design; and Mana Komai Molle, Chair, Department of Economics.
Register for the event here.
ILT ACADEMY OFFERS PROGRAMMING TO TURN ENTREPRENEURIAL DREAMS INTO REALITY
Embarking on the path of innovation has never been more exciting, and the ILT Academy offers programming to turn your entrepreneurial dreams into reality. ILT Academy delivers extensive, but practical, educational experiences to cultivate problem solvers, innovators, and entrepreneurs to hone their skills in order to elevate business ideas & inventions to the next level.
ILT Academy – Virtual Lean Startup Innovation
The 10-Week Lean Startup Program is ideal for teams and individuals who are just starting to shape their ideas, or have an existing product or business that they want to develop and grow like a startup. High Tech, Low Tech, No Tech business ideas, as well as non-profits will benefit from this program. The program combines remote learning, remote collaboration, and remote coaching to help participants test and refine their business ideas.
ILT Academy- Advanced Lean Startup Innovation
The advanced 10-week program is an interactive and immersive series of sessions where entrepreneurs continue to build their idea/startup/business using ILT’s Advanced Lean Startup process and methods. This is an opportunity to take your lean startup idea/business to the next level and prepare you to raise capital, acquire customers/users on a larger scale with coaching that meets your individualized business needs.
Through the support of the Minnesota DEED Small Business Assistance Partnership grant, GSDC provides a limited number of full tuition scholarships to participants from the Greater St. Cloud region who are accepted into ILT’s Introductory and Advanced Lean Startup Innovation 2024 cohort. Enrolling in these programs is a game-changer for aspiring innovators and can transform your approach to building your startup.
This edition’s investor feature can be found at StCloudShines.com, the GSDC’s website containing interesting stories about our region’s people and organizations. That’s where you’ll also find a link to JobSpot, which currently contains information about more than 4,600 employment opportunities.
Deerwood Bank, with locations in Sartell, Waite Park and several other Minnesota cities, prides itself on offering more than financial services. It is also dedicated to community development through its volunteer efforts, sponsorships and donations.
Read the entire feature here.
# # # # #
Sign up to receive SHINE ON, a monthly email highlighting all the good happening in Central MN. St. Cloud Shines stories are available in blog and video collections.
Would you like to receive our twice monthly Developing News? Subscribe here.
Contact Our Staff Team
NeTia Bauman, CEcD, CEO & President
nbauman@greaterstcloud.com | 320.437.1430
Leslie Dingmann, CecD, EDFP, 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