March 5, 2025

The March issue of the Developing News will cover:  

• MYALP 2025 Cohort Announcement

• 2024 Annual Report and Highlights Video

• DEED Main Street Grant Announcement
• Presidents Panel Event Wrap-Up
• New Investor - Rengel Printing Co.

Six young professionals from Greater St. Cloud have been selected for the 2025 Minnesota Young American Leaders Program (MYALP), an intensive idea-sharing program at the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities in May.

MYALP, a partnership between U of M, the Itasca Project, and Harvard Business School, equips leaders to collaborate across sectors for inclusive regional growth.

Since 2019, GSDC has led efforts to identify local participants.

The six professionals selected are:

• Erik Johnson, Vice President - Operations, K Johnson Construction
• Spencer Linn, Senior Regional Leader, Primerica Financial Consulting Services
• Tailor Doeden, Director of Community Engagement, Central Minnesota Community Foundation
• Gina Acevedo, Cultural Sensitivity & Health Equity Supervisor, CentraCare Health Systems
• Sarah Hansen, Director of Customized Training, St. Cloud Technical & Community College
• Ahmed Abdi, Equity Programs Supervisor, St. Cloud Area School District 742

The 2024 GSDC Annual Report not only showcases the significant achievements in business vitality, talent resources, regional promotion, and quality of life initiatives from the past year, but also offers valuable insights into our organization's financial stability, regional performance metrics, and a comprehensive list of our esteemed investors.

This year, we also created a highlights video, GSDC 2024: A Year of Growth & Impact Video, to give you a quick glimpse of our progress in 2024.

Read the annual report

Watch the video

In partnership with Granite Partners, we hosted our second Higher Ed President’s Panel at Granite Innovations, drawing 90 attendees! President's Brian Bruess, Lori Kloos, and Larry Dietz, moderated by Katherina Pattit, led insightful discussions, with Dr. Ken Holmen highlighting the U of M Medical School CentraCare campus integration. Attendees also explored ways to strengthen business-higher ed collaboration.

A huge thanks to Rick Bauerly and Shelly Bauerly Kopel for their leadership, and to our partners, board members, and attendees for their support!

Read the white paper with key takeaways and action items!

We are excited to share the GSDC has received a $624,000 DEED Main Street grant to support downtown revitalization in St. Cloud and Foley! These funds will provide 30% matching grants for 3-5 projects in St. Cloud and 1-3 in Foley, driving economic growth. GSDC will work with each city to manage the application process and maximize impact.  More details to come soon!

Read the press release

We're excited to welcome Rengel Printing Co. as our newest advocate-level investor!  

With over a century of expertise, Rengel Printing is a full-service company offering digital and sheetfed printing, design and layout assistance, direct mail services, finishing, and large-format printing. 

Learn more

GSDC-Supported Events, Programs, and News

• March 19 | 11:30 AM - 1 PM – Elevate Your Workplace Webinar Series (Part 4) Tailored Benefits: Customizing Compensation & Benefits for Maximum Impact – Led by Park Industries | Register
• March 28 – Catholic Charities Pack the Porches Food & Fund Drive | Learn more
• 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
• September 21 – STC East End Festi-Fall | Submit vendor application
• Initiative Foundation’s Enterprise Academy – Spring 2025  A 12-week business training program for underserved entrepreneurs | Learn more
• Mapping Prejudice Project | Learn more