12TH ANNUAL INNOVATION AWARD WINNERS TEASER

In Benton, Sherburne, and Stearns counties, businesses and organizations are constantly developing better ways of doing things, often unaware of how valuable their creations truly are. The GSDC celebrates the Innovation Awards to acknowledge these pioneers for their contributions to society.

You might be wondering who are the winners of the 12th Annual GSDC Innovation Awards?  The winners will be officially announced on November 16, so until then we can reveal a training program, artist project, mentoring program, medical manufacturer, and, for the first time, an “Employer of Choice” award are this year’s top innovations. The Employer of Choice award celebrates businesses that have successfully navigated workforce challenges and implemented innovative practices to attract and retain top talent, resulting in a positive and high-performing work environment.

Since 2012, the GSDC has awarded 57 organizations with Innovation Awards for their creative impact locally and globally. Check out past winners and learn more about the program here.

 

MORE WOMEN AND BIPOC MEMBERS ARE IN LEADERSHIP POSITIONS HERE

The share of women who are leaders in Minnesota has increased incrementally over the last 15 years – from 18% to 27% – an increase that has been led almost entirely by trends in the business sector. That’s one of several interesting findings in a recent study by Minnesota Compass and the Bush Foundation.

The state’s leadership gap by race may also be narrowing, although slowly. The same study found that 12% of Minnesota’s leaders are Black, Indigenous, or people of Color (BIPOC). Ten years ago, that gap stood at about 9 percentage points.

See the full report here.

 

CITY OF ST. CLOUD’S FALL NEWSLETTER FEATURES BUSINESS GROWTH, SURVEY RESULTS

If the newsletter pictured here hasn’t arrived in your mailbox yet (if you’re a St. Cloud resident or have a business there), it will soon. Along with the publication’s usual, valuable information, Page 12 contains an impressive list of 19 new or expanded businesses downtown.

Pages 20 and 21 contain results of the city’s 2023 Community Survey, including citizens’ views on quality of life, ratings on city services, public safety and what the public views as the city’s priorities.

If you don’t want to wait for the mailed version, click here to view the entire newsletter.

 

CELEBRATING MN MANUFACTURING MONTH WITH EPIC STUDENT DAY

DEED Commissioner Matt Varilek (third from left) attending the EPIC Student Event.

Minnesota celebrates manufacturing throughout the year. In October, Manufacturing Month, manufacturers from all over the state open their doors to students, parents, and the general public, inspiring and encouraging the next generation of manufacturing talent.

MN Manufacturing Month ended on a high note with the most successful EPIC Student Day on record.  The event, held on October 27 at the St. Cloud Technical & Community College, was a huge success with over 4,500 students, 150 businesses, 40+ sponsors, 300+ adult volunteers, 30 schools, 22 towns, and 10 counties participating. The event showcased over 200 career opportunities for students to explore.

EPIC initiatives receive support from many sponsors, including the GSDC.

 

NOV. 14 DEADLINE APPROACHING FOR MYALP APPLICATIONS

Time is running short for young professionals in our region with leadership aspirations to apply for inclusion in a prestigious, multi-day workshop in May 2024, as part of the Harvard Business School’s Young American Leaders Program in Minnesota (MYALP). Or nominations may be made by someone else.

The GSDC is again serving as a MYALP selection partner. The application form and additional information are here. The deadline is Nov. 14.

 

INVESTOR SPOTLIGHT – BRADBURY STAMM CONSTRUCTION

Image source – St. Cloud Shines

Our latest Developing News feature on a GSDC investor is about Bradbury Stamm Construction, whose story can be found on our StCloudShines.com website.

Bradbury Stamm Construction is the ‘New Old’ Builder. Bradbury Stamm Construction (BSC) has a long, established history and reputation in the St. Cloud area. However, it hasn’t always been under the Bradbury Stamm flag. Bradbury Stamm as it is now was formerly Winkelman Building Corporation (WBC). WBC was founded in 1969 by Don Winkelman. He immediately brought on Duane Schultz who would go on to purchase the company along with Keith Schupp in 1982.

Read the entire feature here.

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Contact Our Staff Team

NeTia Bauman, CEcD, CEO & President
nbauman@greaterstcloud.com | 320.437.1430

Leslie Dingmann, CecD, EDFP, Business Development Director
ldingmann@greaterstcloud.com | 320.493.9003

Gail Cruikshank, Talent Director 
gcruikshank@greaterstcloud.com | 320.260.6775

Tammy Campion, Communications & Program Specialist 
tcampion@greaterstcloud.com | 320.252.5185

Emily Davis, EPIC Coordinator
edavis@greaterstcloud.com  I  320.252.5203