WE LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH NEW AND RETURNING ELECTED OFFICIALS
The Greater St. Cloud region is fortunate to have elected officials who bring a diversity of perspectives and experiences to their roles. We look forward to working with the following leaders recently elected or reelected from our area, listed alphabetically.
- Jake Anderson, City of St. Cloud, City Council – Ward 3
- Justin Backes, City of St. Augusta, City Council
- Jeff Bertram, Stearns County, County Board – District 3
- Shawn Blackburn, City of Waite Park, City Council
- Tarryl Clark, Stearns County, County Board – District 1
- Mike Conway, City of St. Cloud, City Council – Ward 4
- Raeanne Danielowski, Sherburne County, County Board – District 2
- Rep. Lisa Demuth, District 13A
- Tim Elness, City of Sartell, City Council
- Jason Ellering, City of Sauk Rapids, City Council
- U.S. Rep. Tom Emmer, MN 6th District
- Gregg Felber, Sherburne County, County Board – District 3
- Ryan Fitzthum, City of Sartell, Mayor
- Gary Gray, Sherburne County, County Board – District 4
- Steve Heinen, Benton County, County Board – District 3
- Marlin Hommerding, City of St. Augusta, City Council
- Sen. Jeff Howe, District 13
- Andrew Hulse, Sherburne County, County Board – District 1
- Kevin Kluesner, City of St. Joseph, City Council
- Karen Larson, City of St. Cloud, City Council – Ward 2
- Leigh Lenzmeier, Stearns County, County Board – District 4
- Dave Masters, City of St. Cloud, City Council – Ward 1
- Jed Meyer, City of Sartell, City Council
- Rick Miller, City of Waite Park, Mayor
- Steven Notch, Stearns County, County Board – District 5
- Rep. Tim O’Driscoll, District 13B
- Rep. Bernie Perryman; District 14A
- Joe Perske, Stearns County, County Board – District 2
- Ed Popp, Benton County, County Board – District 2
- Sen. Aric Putnam, District 14
- Adam Scepaniak, City of St. Joseph, City Council
- Rick Schultz, City of St. Joseph, Mayor
- Frank Theisen, City of Waite Park, City Council
- Ellen Thronson, City of Sauk Rapids, City Council
- Rep. Dan Wolgamott, District 14B
- Michael Zenzen, City of St. Augusta, Mayor
We extend additional congratulations to Rep. Demuth, for being named Minnesota House Minority Leader, and Rep. Emmer, for being named Majority Whip in the U.S. House of Representatives.
DEED’S GROWTH FUND HELPS EARLY-STAGE BUSINESSES
The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development recently launched its Growth Loan Fund to provide loans to technologically innovative seed and early-stage businesses. Those seeking funding through this program need to be engaged in, or be committed to engage in, technological innovation in Minnesota.
DEED is now accepting applications from businesses seeking financing from the program.
ST. CLOUD SHINES – INVESTOR FEATURE: CAPITAL ONE
On occasion, Developing News borrows articles from the GSDC’s St. Cloud Shines website to share interesting features while also reminding you to check out all the great, local information at StCloudShines.com.
Today’s feature is on Capital One and its commitment to Central Minnesota. Take a look. And while you’re there, click around the rest of the website for things to do and many resources.
3 AREA PARKS AWARDED $2.1 MILLION
The Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails Commission is providing new ways for us to relax when we’re away from work. The organization just announced grants for 14 regional parks and trails around the state, including three in our region (shown with the award amount for each).
- Benton County Great River Park Complex – $797,555
- Stearns County Kraemer Lake-Wildwood County Park – $1,175,846
- Stearns County Quarry Park & Nature Preserve – $170,250
Grants are used to fund infrastructure improvements, land acquisitions, new facilities, trail rehabilitation and other needs.
Minnesotans from the Northwest Angle to Olmsted County and many places in between will soon benefit from nearly $11.4 million in enhancements to 14 regional parks and trails.
Each year, the Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails Commission (GMRPTC) reviews applications for upgrades to designated parks and trails across the state, then forwards its recommendation to the Minnesota Legislature for approval through the Parks and Trails Legacy Fund. The Legislature has annually approved GMRPTC requests, since Legacy Funds are part of the 2008 Minnesota Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment and may only be spent to support parks and trails of regional or statewide significance.
“We were impressed with the many thoughtful and creative approaches we reviewed for broadening Minnesotans’ enjoyment of their beautiful parks and trails, which is why we’re recommending fully funding each of the 14 selected requests,” said GMRPTC Executive Director Renee Mattson.
Since its creation in 2014, the GMRPTC has awarded more than $72 million in grants to 109 projects in the state’s 74 designated parks and trails. Combined with $25.6 million in community matches to date, grants are used to fund infrastructure improvements, land acquisitions, new facilities, trail rehabilitation and more.
The 14 parks and trails recommended for $11,398,765 in Fiscal Year 2024 funding are below. District numbers in the list below refer to their geographic area in Minnesota: 1-Northeast; 2-Northwest; 3-West Central; 4-East Central; 5-Southwest; 6-Southeast.
Grant Recipient – Award Amount – District
- Cook County Mountain Bike Trail System – $400,000 – District 1
- Duluth Waabizheshikana/Marten Trail – $1,493,434 – District 1
- Mesabi Trail – $750,000 – District 1
- Northerly Park-Northwest Angle – $70,000 – District 2
- Detroit Lakes Detroit Mountain Recreation Area – $1,325,941 – District 3
- Otter Tail County Phelps Mill County Park – $366,000 – District 3
- Benton County Great River Park Complex – $797,555 – District 4
- Isanti County Springvale County Park – $336,800 – District 4
- Stearns County Kraemer Lake-Wildwood County Park – $1,175,846 – District 4
- Stearns County Quarry Park & Nature Preserve – $170,250 – District 4
- Redwood County Plum Creek Park – $818,539 – District 5
- Sibley County Henderson Scenic Byway Regional Trail – $1,394,400 – District 5
- Austin Jay C. Hormel Nature Center – $250,000 – District 6
- Olmsted County Oxbow Park and Zollman Zoo – $2,050,000 – District 6
“Legacy Funding is a far-reaching gift that Minnesotans had the foresight to create to enhance their enjoyment of the outdoors,” said Mattson. “Without Legacy dollars, many of these projects simply would not happen or would take many years before coming to fruition.”
The GMRPTC provides recommendations to the Minnesota Legislature for grants to parks and trails of regional significance in the 80 counties outside the seven-county metropolitan area. Additional information may be found at www.gmrptcommission.org.
THANKSGIVING TIDBITS
The Calorie Control Council – yes, that’s a real organization – estimates that consumers eat about 3,000 calories during Thanksgiving dinner. No word on the count for leftovers.
Meanwhile, the day after Thanksgiving isn’t just Black Friday – it’s the busiest day of the year for plumbers. Apparently a lot of us pour cooking oil and grease down our drains!
Happy Thanksgiving, friends!
UPCOMING EVENTS
- Business Year-End Planning: Taxes, Recession and the Coming Year Webinar – BerganKDV, 11:00 a.m. – 12 noon, Wednesday, Nov. 30. Register here.
- Start-Up Connect – Innovators and other community members are invited to ILT Studios from 8:00 – 9:30 a.m., Wednesday, Nov. 30. Register here.
- Enterprise Academy – Graduation of Fall 2022 St. Cloud cohorts. 11:30 a.m., Saturday, Dec. 3. Learn more here.
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Contact Our Staff Team
Patti Gartland, President
pgartland@greaterstcloud.com | 320.260.2442
Leslie Dingmann, Business Development Director
ldingmann@greaterstcloud.com | 320.493.9003
Gail Cruikshank, Talent Director
gcruikshank@greaterstcloud.com | 320.260.6775
Tammy Campion, Communication & Programs Specialist
tcampion@greaterstcloud.com | 320.252.5185