SMART BUSINESS: CITY OF ST. CLOUD ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
IT’S AN EXCITING TIME FOR DOWNTOWN ST. CLOUD
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The revitalization momentum is building
hat began with the Downtown Summit in December 2022 is driving rapid change in downtown St. Cloud from a central hub struggling through a pandemic to a thriving urban core centered on walkability. 250 people gathered at BEFORE & AFTER the summit at the River’s ______ Edge Convention Center Harvester Square to learn about trends from Event Center Chris Leinberger, a top urbanist in the country, infrastructure to further and the vision of Mayor connect downtown Dave Kleis for downtown walkability will be needed. St. Cloud, both east and This is the basis for the $100 west of the river. The million bonding request that has Sixteen projects have been awarded Mayor’s Downtown been submitted to the State. The funds from that grant to date, resulting in Taskforce has been busy vision for this money is to connect more than $14 million in private investment, finding funding and the downtown over Highway turning it into meaningful several already underway or complete. 23 to Lake George, the railroad projects designed to build tracks on the northside, and the a downtown where Sixteen projects have been awarded glorious Mississippi River. It would business and housing funds from that grant to date, resulting provide the funding to overhaul older thrive. in more than $14 million in private buildings that require substantial renovation Six months prior to the summit, the investment, several already underway to make them usable in today’s modern Initiative Foundation was awarded funds or complete. In addition to Exterior environment. Should this funding come from the MN Department of Employment Improvement Program sponsored by the to fruition, imagine a vibrant, safe area that and Economic Development (DEED) for City’s Economic Development Authority, has the ability to attract and retain young the Main Street Revitalization Program. the difference is already noticeable. From professionals to live and work downtown $1.5 million of that was earmarked for a new awning at Dolcie’s downtown to and enjoy the beautiful assets that St. Cloud on a matching basis for projects Harvester Square Event Center on the already exist. that offered substantial renovation city’s east side. More than a dozen new The vitality that once existed in of vacant space, expansion and new restaurants and stores filling vacant spaces, downtown St. Cloud is on the precipice construction downtown. Those applying along with upgraded facades, provide visible again with dedicated individuals working to for the funds, facilitated by the City’s beautification throughout downtown. find the funding and the willing participants Economic Development Authority, had But the Mayor hasn’t stopped there. to bring this vision to fruition. It truly is an a minimum match requirement of The need for investment in underlying exciting time for downtown St. Cloud. • seventy percent. Interested? To explore development & redevelopment opportunities in St. Cloud, please contact Cathy Mehelich or Mayor Dave Kleis
_______ ci.stcloud.mn.us/economicdevelopment
Cathy: 320-255-7200 • Cathy.Mehelich@ci.stcloud.mn.us Dave: 320.255.7201 • Dave.kleis@ci.stcloud.mn.us
1201 7th St. S. • St. Cloud, MN 56301 SPONSORED PROFILE
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