We are pleased to announce the appointment of Jennie Weber as the Administrative & Program Specialist, effective March 4. This addition underscores the GSDC's commitment to enhancing small business programming and ecosystem development in the Greater St. Cloud region. Weber will oversee administrative tasks and coordinate grant-funded programs such as Launch MN and Small Business Assistance programming. Her responsibilities include facilitating resource matchmaking, organizing workshops, and conducting strategy coaching sessions to foster collaboration and growth within the business community. Weber expressed enthusiasm for contributing to diverse projects and collaborating with various teams within the GSDC. NeTia Bauman, CEO & President of the GSDC, expressed confidence in Weber's ability to support small businesses and entrepreneurship in the region.
We invite everyone to warmly welcome Jennie at upcoming small business events.
2023 GSDC Annual Report
We are pleased to present our 2023 GSDC Annual Report. A Year of Transition that highlights last year's accomplishments in business vitality, talent resources, regional promotion, and quality of life initiatives. Additionally, the report provides insights into our organization's financial stability, regional performance metrics, and full investor roster.
Promise Act Grants The Initiative Foundation has announced $1.1 million in grants for small businesses in Central Minnesota.
Thanks to the PROMISE Act funded by the Minnesota Legislature, businesses can receive one-time grants ranging from $10,000 to $50,000 for existing operations or planned growth. Funds can be used for various expenses, and the program supports fair economic recovery by boosting small, rural, and minority-owned businesses.
St. Cloud Area QBR Review Every three months, King Banaian, the Interim Dean of the College of Education and Learning Design at St. Cloud State University, and Mana Komai Molle, the Chair of the Department of Economics at St. Cloud State University analyze the latest business and worker data, as well as the results from a survey of local business leaders. The result is the St. Cloud Area Quarterly Business Report (QBR). It has been published four times a year since 1999.
Over 40 people gathered on March 28 at the Sartell Community Center to hear the latest review of the QBR, which included the latest in construction trends, unemployment updates, and workforce development issues.
The collaboration of St. Cloud State University, St. Cloud Live, Magnifi Financial, Creative Planning, and the GSDC makes the quarterly QBR a reality, bringing together expertise and resources to foster business growth in the Greater St. Cloud region.
This month we are featuring advocate-level investors American Door Works and Mid Central Door.
American Door Works began in a garage in 1972 because they recognized a need and had both the will and the skill to succeed. Their growth and expansion is a byproduct of their initial determination to help customers find the right door solution for any project, accompanied by the right help. American Door Works offers residential garage doors, garage screen doors, residential openers, commercial doors, commercial openers, and service, parts, and repair to Central Minnesota.
Mid Central Door Company (MCD) was founded in 1974 when the owners of American Door Works received numerous requests from customers for commercial walk-thru doors. MCD has grown to become the leading supplier of hollow metal doors and frames, commercial wood doors, and architectural hardware in Central Minnesota.
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