The St. Cloud area has earned recognition as a great place to do business. Entrepreneur magazine listed St. Cloud among the “Top 10 Mid-sized Cities in the Nation for Small Businesses.” NerdWallet.com included St. Cloud among the “Best Cities for Young Entrepreneurs” and in the “Best Places to Start a Business in Minnesota.” Minnesota Business Magazine referred to the I-94 region from St. Cloud to the Twin Cities as “The Golden Corridor” due to the area’s stable economy and continuous business and residential development.
Business-Friendly Atmosphere
The pro-business attitude found in Central Minnesota has created an optimal environment for all businesses and industries, no matter the size or type.
Business-focused resources in the St. Cloud area are significant, and include:
- St. Cloud Area Chamber of Commerce
- Greater St. Cloud Development Corporation
- City of St. Cloud’s Economic Development Authority
- Minnesota Workforce Center-St. Cloud and Career Solutions
- The Herberger Business School at St. Cloud State University
- Minnesota Central Region Small Business Development Center
- The Anderson Center of Management and Leadership
- Benton Economic Partnership
- Sherburne County Economic Development
- Stearns County Housing and Redevelopment Authority
- Initiative Foundation
The area is also equipped with plenty of financial incentives, including:
- Revolving loan programs
- Tax Increment Financing
- Small business development loan programs
- Tax abatement
- Construction assistance
- Gap financing
Vibrant Retail Options
Downtown St. Cloud’s renewed vibrancy has made it the place to be for shopping and dining. Lining its streets are more than 80 places to shop and more than 40 restaurants.
Complementing downtown St. Cloud is Crossroads Shopping Center, the largest enclosed shopping center in Greater Minnesota. The mall is anchored by three major department stores and one of the largest sporting goods stores in Minnesota. It boasts more than 120 major specialty shops and eateries.
Additional retail sites include:
- Centennial Shopping Center
- Dan Tree Court
- Division Place Fashion Center
- Division Street Plaza
- Marketplace Shopping Center and Annex
- Midtown Square
- Northgate Shopping Center
- Plaza West Shopping Center
- Rivertown Village
- Riverwood Mall
- West Point Shops