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 prosperous printing industry to growing healthcare resources, professional services, retailers and several large public sector organizations.
It is no wonder that 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 midsized cities in the nation for small businesses. MinnesotaBusiness 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 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. A plethora 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 Center, the largest enclosed shopping center in Greater Minnesota. The mall is anchored by five 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 in St. Cloud, plus Riverwood Mall and Marketplace Shopping Center and Annex in Waite Park.
DIVERSE BUSINESS COMMUNITY
The membership of the St. Cloud Area Chamber of Commerce is diverse and includes large and small businesses, nonprofit organizations, associations, and individuals. This is representative of Central Minnesota’s business community as a whole.
Based on industry standards, membership can be divided into 20 broad categories. On page 20, the membership of the St. Cloud Area Chamber of Commerce is shown in these categories, including the percent of total membership represented by each group.
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