GSDC SEEKING NOMINATIONS FOR MINNESOTA YOUNG AMERICAN LEADERS PROGRAM
2019 MYALP Cohort
2022 MYALP Cohort
Young professionals in the Greater St. Cloud region with leadership aspirations are invited to apply by Nov. 11 for inclusion in a prestigious, multi-day workshop in May 2023 as part of the Harvard Business School’s Young American Leaders Program in Minnesota (MYALP).
This is the third time the program has been available for local professionals. In 2019 and 2022, the Greater St. Cloud Development Corporation (GSDC) partnered with the University of Minnesota, GREATER MSP and the Itasca Project in identifying leaders to participate in the program. Both years’ cohorts attended a three-day workshop focusing on Harvard Business School’s research on American competitiveness, shared prosperity and cross-sector collaborations.
The GSDC is again serving as a 2023 MYALP selection partner, together with volunteer program manager Anita Archambeau, to identify leaders in the Greater St. Cloud region to send to MYALP next spring on the University of Minnesota campus. Those selected will join other leaders from across Minnesota to discuss pressing regional issues and strengthen their leadership capacity and organizational intent to deliver positive outcomes in their communities.
Application forms for the next cohort of young leaders from the St. Cloud region are available here.
Nominations should include the individual’s name, professional role, resume and why they should be considered.
Each participant or nominee should:
- Have a track record of civic engagement in their city, ideally in cross-sector collaborations. Mere interest or potential is not enough.
- Typically have a minimum of 7-10 years of professional work experience and have a “runway” for involvement in future cross-sector collaborations.
- Be open to new ideas and relationships, can bring expertise to bear, and are willing to debate challenging issues civilly.
- Have demonstrated experience working across differences such as race, gender, ethnicity, ideology and sector (business, government, educational institutions, nonprofits, labor, faith-based organizations)
- Be informed about the most pressing regional issues and have the leadership capacity and the organizational talent to bear on these issues.
Note that the GSDC is not considering candidates currently running for elective office.
ST. CLOUD AREA QUARTERLY BUSINESS REPORT: UNCERTAINTY AHEAD
Drs. King Banaian and Mana Komai Molle discussed the strong employment situation in the St. Cloud MSA, led by the construction sector. The St. Cloud Area Quarterly Business Survey showed weaker business activity in the last three months, and business leaders expect less growth in the next six months. There was a sharp difference of opinion among them about whether we were in a recession or soon entering one. In response to higher input prices, a majority believe those can be passed onto consumers, but a significant number reported smaller profit margins.
Click here to read the QBR publication. Click here to view the QBR summary video.
SUMMIT ACADEMY TO LAUNCH TRAINING IN ST. CLOUD
In December 2022, Summit Academy OIC (Summit) will expand its highly successful Construction Training Program into the Greater St. Cloud region.
This 20-week program will train and certify students in one of two specialties: carpentry or electrical. “There is a critical labor shortage in Minnesota right now. And, St. Cloud is one of the communities being hit hardest at a time when they are in desperate need of skilled workers,” explains Leroy West, President of Summit, “By expanding our program, a proven model that works, Summit will take the lead in addressing this gap connecting program graduates directly to good paying jobs with benefits.”
A partnership with the Greater St. Cloud Development Corporation, CareerForce St. Cloud, and Career Solutions, Summit’s Construction Training Program will be provided at no cost to students. No degree or previous training, or construction experience are required to sign up.
All interested individuals in the Greater St. Cloud region, 18 years of age or older, are invited to attend a free information session, which will take place on Tuesdays or Thursdays, starting October 11 through November 17, 2022. No appointment is necessary and the session is from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm, at Career Solutions/CareerForce St. Cloud (1542 Northway Drive – Door 2, St. Cloud, MN 56303).
“This partnership is vital to our region and will help us to meet some of our immediate workforce needs,” says Gail Cruikshank, Talent Director of the Greater St. Cloud Development Corporation, “Plus, it will begin to establish a conduit of highly skilled workers and significantly expand the construction talent pool in Central Minnesota.”
“The current worker shortage we face in greater St. Cloud makes the expansion of this successful training program all the more timely,” adds Tammy Biery, Executive Director at Career Solutions, “Moreover, it will go a long way toward creating a more inclusive workforce.”
St. Cloud area students enrolled in the Construction Training Program, which begins Monday, December 5, 2022, will complete their first ten weeks of training in St. Cloud. The final 10-weeks will take place in Minneapolis where students will move into a program-specific (carpentry/electrical) curriculum on the Summit Campus taking part in a real hands-on construction project on their way to certification. Free transportation will be provided to students to travel between St. Cloud and Minneapolis.
“Summit has a 26-year history of moving people from poverty to the middle class. That’s just what we do. We put people to work,” adds West, “Now it’s time to export our model out to communities in greater Minnesota. Not everything can be automated. So, we must educate, train, and place the workers of today, tomorrow, and beyond. This program has the potential to be life-changing for so many of our fellow Minnesotans.”
ALLEGIANT AIRLINES ANNOUNCES NONSTOP SERVICE FOR 2022-2023 WINTER/SPRING SEASON
Allegiant Airlines has announced the extension of Phoenix/Mesa and Punta Gorda/Fort Myers service through mid-May 2023. This means an uninterrupted flight schedule from October 2022 through mid-May 2023.
The schedules to both destinations will be twice weekly non-stop through the winter season, which runs through mid-February 2023, and then Phoenix/Mesa service ramps up to four times per week in mid-February through March. Florida flights will generally run Thursdays and Sundays while Arizona flights will generally run Wednesdays and Saturdays until mid-February when Mondays and Fridays will be added.
“We are excited to see the continuation of this Allegiant service, which indicates the success of this past spring season,” said Airport Authority Board Chair Brian Myres. “The St. Cloud Regional Airport offers an easy, convenient way to travel to these warm weather destinations over the winter and spring season.”
Allegiant had a great 2021-2022 winter season, which generally runs from October 1, through May. For the St. Cloud routes this past season, Allegiant recorded the most passengers since the 2018-2019 winter season, and the second most ever.
“We’re happy to continue our relationship with Allegiant,” said Airport Director Bill Towle. “Allegiant has been a great partner offering a great service.”
Allegiant has offered commercial air service at the St. Cloud Regional Airport since 2012. Check www.AllegiantAir.com for specific dates and fares.
Reestablishing and optimizing air service at the St. Cloud Regional Airport has been a high priority and significant source of investment for the GSDC since 2011.
EPIC EVENT – VOLUNTEERS NEEDED – OCTOBER 28
EPIC is an annual, high-quality student career exploration event bridging education and industry for over 5,000 Central Minnesota high school students.
This year’s event will take place Friday, October 28, 8 a.m.– 2 p.m., St. Cloud Technical and Community College, 1540 Northway Drive, St. Cloud.
Event volunteers are needed. Event volunteers help set-up and tear-down booths, check in attendees and monitor and direct traffic. Volunteers ensure a safe, fun and informative event for all. Set-up will open the evening before and at 7 a.m. on the day of the event. Tear-down and clean-up will be at approximately 2 p.m. Your specific role will be assigned according to your availability.
Click here to learn more.
MORE UPCOMING EVENTS
- 17th Annual Conversation on Race – Why Continue Talking About Race – Tuesday, October 11, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m., Virtual event. Click here to register.
- TEDxSTCLOUD – Thursday, October 13, 6:30 p.m., Paramount Center for the Arts, 913 St. Germain St. W., St. Cloud. Click here to register.
- 12th Annual Women’s Leadership Breakfast, Friday, October 28, 8 – 9 a.m., Virtual event. Click here to register.
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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