Welcome to the June Edition of GSC’s Developing News!
Here’s a quick look at the big things happening now:
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Now Accepting Applications for the 2026 Innovation & Employer of Choice Awards
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Submit to Speak at DisruptHR St. Cloud - Sept. 24
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GSC Awarded $50,000 FAME Catalyst Grant
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Congratulations Great River Children's Museum - 2026 Minnesota Brownfields ReScape Innovation Award Winner
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Welcome New Investors
Now Accepting Applications for the 2026 Innovation & Employer of Choice Awards
Applications are open for the 2026 GSC Innovation and Employer of Choice Awards — two signature honors recognizing the organizations shaping the future of work and ingenuity across Benton, Sherburne, and Stearns counties.
Now in its 15th year, the Innovation Awards have celebrated 67 organizations whose new products, services, technologies, practices, and business models have delivered real, measurable impact on the local and global stage.
Introduced in 2023, the Employer of Choice Award spotlights organizations that have built workplaces people genuinely want to be part of. They are companies that excel at attracting and retaining top talent through cultures that prioritize well-being, engagement, and growth.
Both awards are open to for-profit and non-profit organizations across the region.
DisruptHR St. Cloud organizers are calling on bold voices in the HR community to take the stage.
The event — designed to energize, inform, and empower HR professionals will be held on September 24, 4–7 PM at Harvester Square. The format is fast and high-stakes: each speaker gets exactly 5 minutes and 20 slides, with slides auto-advancing every 15 seconds.
Organizers are looking for speakers ready to bring game-changing ideas, unfiltered insights, and real stories that challenge the status quo on HR, talent, workplace culture, and leadership.
Congratulations Great River Children's Museum - 2026 Minnesota Brownfields ReScape Innovation Award Winner
Please join us in congratulating the Great River Children's Museum on receiving the 2026 Minnesota Brownfields ReScape Innovation Award! This prestigious recognition celebrates creative solutions to some of the most complex environmental, financial, and technical challenges a redevelopment project can face.
What began as three vacant buildings in Downtown St. Cloud has been transformed into a vibrant destination for children and families across Central Minnesota. By connecting these spaces and preserving their original structures, the project breathed new life into the heart of our downtown — while tackling significant hurdles along the way, including asbestos abatement, lead-based materials, and challenging soil conditions.
This is a story of community. The project was made possible by:
More than $10 million raised through local support
Over 11,000 volunteer hours logged before construction even began
Countless donors, partners, and champions who believed in the dream
Today, what was once vacant space is alive with energy, curiosity, and play. Since opening its doors, the Great River Children's Museum has welcomed more than 90,000 guests and hosted over 5,000 field trip groups, serving children ages 0–10 throughout Central Minnesota.
Congratulations to everyone who helped make this happen!
GSC Awarded $50,000 FAME Catalyst Grant
GSC has been awarded a $50,000 FAME Catalyst Grant from the National Association of Manufacturers’ Manufacturing Institute, positioning Central Minnesota to potentially launch the state’s first Federation for Advanced Manufacturing Education (FAME) chapter. The region was one of only six selected nationwide for the grant, which will support research, planning, and employer partnerships aimed at strengthening the manufacturing workforce pipeline.
The announcement comes as representatives from Niron Magnetics and GSC traveled to Florida last month to attend the national FAME conference and learn directly from established chapters across the country. The visit helped local leaders gather insight and best practices as they explore bringing the employer led workforce model to Minnesota for the first time.
The initiative is being led by GSC in collaboration with a range of public and private sector partners and is designed to create stronger pathways connecting students and workers to high skill manufacturing careers in Central Minnesota.
Welcome New Investors
We're happy to announce the following new investors have recently joined GSC:
3rd Annual MNGAIA Thought Leaders Summit: Leading Learning in the AI Era I June 15–16 I Apollo High School - Register here
GSC secured 12 complimentary spots for investors to participate in a pilot AI diagnostic and process analysis through NorthStar, a proprietary workflow analysis tool from TrueNorth AI Services. Participation is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Email NeTia Bauman upon completion of registration for more details.
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