Greater St Cloud Development Corporation

Community Development - in order to attract, retain and expand businesses within the region, the gsdc is focused on building and developing the community through multiple strategic initiatives that support business Development 1) improve access to the region by expanding the regional transportation infrastructure: gsdc successfully led efforts resulting in the creation of a regional airport authority to more effectively operate and grow air service at the St. Cloud regional airport. Gdsc also collaborates with the i94 west coalition to promote continued expansion of i94 from the twin cities to the St Cloud region. 2) gsdc aggressively markets and promotes the region for talent and business attraction, retention and expansion via a comprehensive website (www.stcloudshines.com), through an expansive social media campaign that has garnered more than 170 million impressions via facebook and instagram since its launch in 2019 and by showcasing more than 20,000 jobs available with more than 1,300 employers in the region. 3) gsdc continues to host and support the harvard based young american leaders cohort initiative, inducting 8 new leaders into the program in 2023. 4) gsdc hosted executive roundtable sessions on critical topics of interest to our employers (e.g. Talent recruitment & retention, mental health in the workplace, supply chain & childcare challenges). 5) gsdc collaborates and actively engaged with the newly formed downtown alliance to promote revitalization efforts for the downtown St. Cloud region and serves on the mayor's downtown task force. Gsdc staff were charged with chairing a business improvement district subcommittee in 2023. 6) gsdc solicited and recognized four companies/organizations with innovation awards and one company with employer of choice awards. 7) gsdc provides administrative and fiscal hosting services to support the epic program (exploring potential interests and careers), tedx, and other emerging initiatives and non-profits. 8) gsdc continues to lead and convene community leaders in efforts to address diversity, equity, and inclusion needs in the region that will lead to eventual elimination of the racial disparities gap.

Business attraction & startup - business attraction & startup - gsdc takes a leadership position in partnering with local cities, counties and the state of mn to deploy collaborative regional processes and responses to business attraction. Gsdc is an engaged member in the mn marketing partnership which is led by deed to attract business to Minnesota. Gsdc assisted 200+ entrepreneurs and startups through its continued designation as a "launch Minnesota" hub. In addition to securing an additional launch mn grant, the gsdc applied for and was awarded a small business assistance partnership grant for the 24-25 biennium to expand startup and small business programing. Gsdc also responded to 6 business attraction inquiries in 2023 and over 170 since 2014.

Business retention and expansion - the gsdc continues to take a leadership role in partnering with local cities, counties and chambers of commerce to deploy standardized, regional processes for business retention and expansion. The gsdc has developed these streamlined processes based on best practices, standard tools and technology. In 2023, the gsdc conducted 41 visits and 140 interviews with regional primary sector businesses.