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the region. With the Experience Pillar, for example, the Alliance seeks to host fun events that draw people from the freeway and bring them downtown. From debunking misconceptions about the safety of downtown to working with existing businesses on marketing strategies, the Alliance has big dreams for the future of downtown St. Cloud. In addition to the work the Alliance is doing, Mehelich’s office helped several downtown businesses secure roughly $1.5 million in state funding through Main Street Economic Revitalization Program grants – ultimately leveraging $16 million in
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private investment for projects like business expansion and exterior improvements. With a new look, a new plan, and some new hopes for the future, downtown is ready for its true test of success – community patronage. “We’ve all done a really good job,” Herrington said. “But we need the support of the area’s residents. We need to support the people making the effort. We need to start realizing that downtown is a necessity. And to do that, we have to do everything to support our locally owned businesses.” Vicki Johnson is a freelance writer and the senior transportation planner with the Saint Cloud Area Planning Organization.