April 2, 2025

Staying Connected: April’s Developing News is Here!

This month, we’re covering:

• Celebrate Innovation:  StageWorks Grand Opening - May 7
• Driving Growth Together: Regional Partners Tour
• FastLane94 Pitch Competition: Innovation Takes the Stage April 3

• Revitalizing Downtowns: $624K Grant at Work

• Welcome Doyenne Development - Our Newest Advocate Investor

The GSDC is excited to announce the grand opening and ribbon cutting of StageWorks, a dynamic entrepreneur hub in Downtown St. Cloud.  The celebration will take place on May 7 from 8:00 - 9:15 AM, coinciding with Start.Up Connect – St. Cloud, a free networking event for entrepreneurs, business leaders, and innovators.

After the ribbon cutting, stay for Start.Up Connect - St. Cloud and enjoy networking and entrepreneur spotlights, featuring Angela Ringsmuth – Independent Music Collaborative of Central Minnesota (project37mn), and second TBD speaker.

Located in the Davidson Opera House, StageWorks offers:

• Affordable office rentals & coworking memberships
• Downtown storefront pop-up spaces
• A collaborative space for entrepreneurs, small businesses, and nonprofit

StageWorks is made possible through the generous support of the following partners who share our commitment to fostering entrepreneurship and innovation: 

• Arvig - High-speed internet
• Kinder Coffee - Coffee bar
• ILT Academy - Entrepreneur education
• Brian Schoenborn - Property owner

Leaders from the St. Cloud Downtown Alliance, St. Cloud Area Chamber of Commerce, City of St. Cloud, and the GSDC have been engaging with local service clubs to share how we are collaborating to drive economic development in the region.  The Regional Partners Tour presentation provides an overview of each organization, highlighting our unique value propositions, goals, missions, recent successes, and areas of both distinction and alignment.  If your service club is interested in hosting a presentation, please contact NeTia Bauman.

Photo credit - St. Cloud Live

Join us at the FastLane94 Trailblazer Pitch Competition on April 3, an event that will bring together top entrepreneurs from West Central Minnesota for a free, action-packed day of innovation, networking, and competition at Bad Habit Brewery in St. Joseph.

Event Highlights

• Start.up Connect Panel (2:30 – 3:15 PM): Insights from successful entrepreneurs.
• Resource Matchmaking Trade Show (3:15 – 4:00 PM): Connect with mentors, investors, and resources.
• Pitch Competition (4:00 – 6:00 PM): Five finalists compete for cash prizes and a spot in the MNCup.

Meet the 2025 Finalists

• ANP Streaming (St. Joseph): Personalized Christian music & podcast platform.
• Buzz Care (St. Cloud): Drone prescription delivery for rural communities.
• Getaway Kimonos (Detroit Lakes): Stylish, insect-repelling apparel.
• Jestive (Monticello): AI-powered dating app for neurodivergent individuals.
• Safe Haven Market (Sartell): Inclusive whole-body care for kids.

Last month, we announced GSDC’s $624,000 DEED Main Street grant to revitalize downtown Foley and St. Cloud. These funds will provide 30% matching grants for 3-5 projects in St. Cloud and 1-3 in Foley, boosting local economic growth. GSDC is actively working with both cities to manage the application process. Stay tuned for more updates in the May Developing News!

We're excited to Doyenne Development as our newest advocate-level investor!  

Doyenne Development, founded in 2024 in Minneapolis, specializes in community-focused real estate development and creative placemaking. Led by Claire VanderEyk, the firm advances public policy goals while delivering investment returns, with a strong focus on housing solutions across Minnesota. 

Highlighting GSDC-Supported Events, Programs, and News

• April 3 I 8 AM - 9 AM –- St. Cloud Area QBR I Register
• April 11-12 – CentraCare Earth Day Run | Learn more/Register
• April 15 | 8 AM - 12 PM – 12th Annual Diversity Conference - CentraCare South Point/Todd Steinke Auditorium | Register
• May 14 | 11:30 AM - 1 PM – Elevate Your Workplace Webinar Series (Part 5) Unlocking Potential: Employee Growth and Development – Led by Coborn's | Register
• Sept. 23 I 4 PM - 7 PM –- DisruptHR St. Cloud I Registration coming soon