Center of Commerce
While timber and agriculture were prominent industries in the region historically, the St. Cloud area has transformed into a thriving business center, welcoming businesses of all types and sizes. The St. Cloud area is diverse when it comes to business, as it does not rely on one major employer. In fact, the area is home to a successful mixture of businesses and industries, ranging from small manufacturers, agricultural entities and a significant printing industry to growing healthcare resources, professional services, retailers and several large public sector employers.
Over the years the St. Cloud area has earned recognition as a great place to do business. Entrepreneur magazine listed St. Cloud among the top 10 mid-sized cities in the nation for small businesses and Forbes included the area in its 2010 Top 200 list of best small cities for business and careers. Minnesota Business magazine has referred to the region along I-94 to the Twin Cities as “The Golden Corridor” due to the area’s stable economy and continuous business and residential development.
A BUSINESS-FRIENDLY ATMOSPHERE
The pro-business attitude found in central Minnesota has created an optimal environment for all businesses and industries, no matter the size or type.
The number of business-focused resources established in the St. Cloud area is significant. The St. Cloud Area Chamber of Commerce, the St. Cloud Area Economic Development Partnership (www.scapartnership.com) and local governing bodies are dedicated to the promotion and growth of the local economy. The area is equipped with plenty of financial incentives, such as Job Opportunity Building Zones (JOBZ), Bioscience Zones, revolving loan programs and tax increment financing, to name a few. An abundance of technical resources and customized training opportunities are available through local colleges and universities, the Minnesota Workforce Center-St. Cloud, Resource Training & Solutions and a host of others.
VIBRANT RETAIL OPTIONS
Downtown St. Cloud’s renewed vibrancy has made it the place to be for shopping and dining. Lining its streets are more than 80 places to shop and more than 40 restaurants. Retail in the downtown area is concentrated along St. Germain Street, which is anchored by Herberger’s Department Store. A number of specialty stores provide shoppers with a wide range of products and services. East St. Cloud and Division Street provide additional retail outlets for the downtown area.
Complementing downtown St. Cloud is Crossroads Shopping Center, the largest enclosed shopping center in greater Minnesota. The mall is anchored by four major department stores and boasts more than 120 specialty shops and eateries. Supplemental retail sites include Plaza West Shopping Center, Division Place Fashion Center, Midtown Square, Northgate Shopping Center and Centennial Shopping Center, all in St. Cloud, plus Riverwood Mall and Marketplace Shopping Center and Annex in Waite Park.
TOP EMPLOYERS
EMPLOYER — EMPLOYEES*
St. Cloud Hospital/CentraCare Health System — 6551
Coborn’s, Inc. — 6400
**State of MN — 2636
Veteran’s Affairs Medical Center — 1523
St. Cloud Area School District # 742 — 1500
Gold’n Plump Poultry — 1460
Electrolux Home Products (Frigidaire) — 1328+
Stearns County — 900
St. John’s University — 796
Cold Spring Granite Co. — 790
Wolters Kluwer Financial Services — 634
Catholic Charities — 601
New Flyer of America — 582
Sherburne County — 568
City of St. Cloud — 555
St. Benedict’s Senior Community — 550
Sauk Rapids-Rice ISD 47 — 541
ING Direct — 527
Bluestem Fulfillment — 521
Merrill Corporation — 507
College of Saint Benedict — 497
Spee-Dee Delivery Service — 451
Array Services Group — 446
Nahan Printing — 375
The Antioch Company/Creative Memories — 350
*Includes full and part time employees
**Includes St. Cloud State University, St. Cloud Technical & Community College, and the St. Cloud Correctional Facility
-From 2008, most recent number available
Source: St. Cloud Area Chamber of Commerce; area businesses
 |
 |
|---|---|
 |
|
