On Thursday, May 9th, 31 local professionals will graduate from the St. Cloud Area Leadership Program, marking the 32nd graduating class. This 9-month program sheds light on the realities of business and life in the St. Cloud Area, encouraging the class members to take a look at their community and at themselves. Past participants have said it's the highlight of their Chamber involvement, the most rewarding professional experience they've had, and that the relationships built through the program have been lifelong.

 

"My investment in the Chamber’s Leadership program has been one of the best decisions I have ever made. It has given me the opportunity to meet and learn from many community leaders and to develop strong and rewarding relationships that will support me well into the future."
Patrick Hollermann, InteleCONNECT, Inc. - 2013 Graduate

 

Congratulations to the 2024 class, you join the ranks of many great professionals before you!

Want to learn more about the program or apply? Talk to one of the graduating class members above, or apply now on the Chamber's website. 

Lunchtime Learning is on Thursday, May 2nd and we are talking Cybersecurity with AGC Agency. Hosted by SCTCC, it takes place from noon to 1pm at the Chamber office.

Join us for Business After Hours hosted by Deerwood Bank at their Sartell location from 4:30-6:30pm on Thursday, May 16th. Stop by for networking & fun!

Here are a few more important dates to put on your calendar, but don't forget to check out our full events calendar for even more.

With the goal of keeping you informed and up to date, these news bites feature local, regional and national news items that relate to the business community in Central Minnesota.

 

LOCAL

Development Summit: Save the date for the 6th Annual Development Summit, where topics will cover downtown development, business connections, the economics of Central MN, and real estate trends. Learn more & register.

 

Restaurant Week is May 13-19, 2024: St. Cloud Area Restaurant Week is a dedicated week to explore menu items at some of Greater St. Cloud’s delightful eateries. Each day will showcase a different category, featuring multiple restaurants. Plus you can win a $50 gift card! Learn more here.

 

Hazardous Waste? No worries. Stearns County has announced the launch of its Household Hazardous waste mobile trucks driving around Central MN. It is out and about collecting environmentally hazardous products homeowners want to get rid of - find it here.

 

STATE & NATIONAL

District Report - Minneapolis: The Minneapolis Federal Reserve has released its April District Report concerning area economic conditions. You can read the report here.

 

Happy National Small Business Week! For more than 60 years, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has celebrated National Small Business Week, which acknowledges the critical contributions of America’s entrepreneurs and small business owners. This is when SBA officially recognizes their hard work, ingenuity, and dedication, including their contributions to the economy. Learn more

 

March Job Growth in MN: The state gained an estimated 11,000 jobs in March on a seasonally adjusted basis. Minnesota's labor force increased by an estimated 3,000 people over the month, bumping the labor force participation rate up one-tenth of a percent to 68.0%. Read more

 

Nominations Now Open: The Minnesota Trade Office at MN DEED is now accepting nominations for the 39th Annual Governor's International Trade Awards until Friday, July 19, 2024. Learn more

 

Overtime overhaul. The U.S. Department of Labor has finalized a rule that will expand overtime to thousands of salaried workers in Minnesota. Learn more

 - Sponsored Content - 

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Rock the River Expo is a chance to showcase your business to the Sauk Rapids community. This vendor expo takes place during the Rock the Riverside concert on Thursday, June 6th both inside The Clearing building and outside. Capture the attention of hundreds of concergoers and community members. 

Exhibitor Information

• 30+ vendor booths
• Indoor and outdoor booths available
• 150+ booth visitors last year
• Target the Sauk Rapids community and have a great time!

Details

Thursday, June 6th

4:30PM - 7:30pm

The Clearing, Sauk Rapids

195 River Ave S, Sauk Rapids

The headliner band that evening is The Mallrats, so come out for some great music, networking, community engagement and fun!

St. Cloud Area Leadership helps current and emerging leaders understand the dynamics of the community and the role leadership has in building healthy communities. This program brings together men and women of diverse backgrounds who share a common commitment to the future of the St. Cloud area.

 

This nine month program runs from September 2024 through May 2025 with one full-day class per month and an overnight retreat in October.

PLUS: Save $50 on registration if you apply by May 22nd!

Opening a new business? Wrapped up a remodel? New location? Schedule a Ribbon Cutting with the Top Hat Ambassadors to celebrate!

Top Hat Phot Visits Include:

• Attendance by Chamber president or
  executive board member
• Top Hat Ambassador services
• Large scissors, ribbon and bows
• Facebook post before and after
• Electronic files of the photos

Schedule a ribbon cutting for your next big milestone or event! Contact Laura to learn more and set a date.

The cost for a ribbon cutting is $150 and it is only available for current St. Cloud Area Chamber of Commerce members.

St. Cloud Area Chamber of Commerce

1411 West Saint Germain Street, ste. 101

St. Cloud, Minnesota, 56301

 

320-251-2940

StCloudAreaChamber.com