Since 1988, the St. Cloud Area Chamber of Commerce has celebrated excellence in the St. Cloud business community with its annual Business Awards Luncheon. Over 85 companies have been recognized, and the tradition of honoring innovation and success continues to thrive. This year, we are looking forward to honoring three amazing organziations. 

The 2025 Honorees Are:

• 2025 Small Business Owners of the Year: Mike and DeNae Hiltner, Great Harvest Bread Company

• 2025 Business Central Mark of Excellence Family-Owned Business: Doug Dingmann Jr. and Deb Dingmann, Williams Dingmann Family Funeral Homes

• 2025 Entrepreneurial Success Award: Jim Beck and John Malikowski, Modern Barnyard

You are invited to join us in celebrating these distinguished busienss owners on May 7th at The Park Event Center. Tickets are still available, but going fast. Save your seat now to take part in this tradition. 

The 38th Annual Business Awards Luncheon is on Wednesday, May 7th at The Park Event Center from 11:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. Register now to help us celebrate!

Register now to attend Lunchtime Learning on Wednesday, May 14th from 12 p.m. until 1 p.m. The topic is: Partners in Purpose: Building Strong Business-Nonprofit Relationships.

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

St. Cloud Area property updates. Matt Glaesman talked with Jay Caldwell on WJON regarding some area buildings and developments in the works. View their conversation here.

$1 Million from MN DEED: Benton County is getting a boost in funding to help design a tie-in for Highway 10 and 23 in a future beltway around the St. Cloud metro area. Learn more

STATE & NATIONAL

It Takes a Village: Resident Recruitment & Community Impacts on Workforce - Join MN DEED for an engaging panel discussion that explores the connection between resident recruitment and workforce development. Register now.

Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) Notice of Hearing: The MPCA is planning new rules governing reporting of PFAS in products. The comment period has opened, and you can submit your questions, comments, and feedback on the proposed rule to the administrative law judge (ALJ) assigned to this rulemaking. Submit comments

An update from the Minnesota Office of Cannabis Management: Minnesota’s cannabis law includes specific sections that make it possible to host an event, open to the public, where cannabis and hemp-derived edible products are consumed, but you should know the rules.

Minnesota’s overall job growth in March was four times faster than the national rate. Minnesota employers added 10,700 jobs in March, the largest monthly gain in a year, and the labor force continued its pattern of growth, according to DEED. Read more

Earned Sick and Safe Time Annual Report: Enacted in 2023 and amended in 2024, Minnesota’s earned sick and safe time (ESST) law requires employers to provide paid leave to employees to address personal or family illness, or seek help for abuse, assault and stalking. Read the annual report

Gallup's newly released report reveals an urgent challenge ? but it also shows an opportunity: A fully engaged global workforce could add $9.6 trillion to the global economy. Learn more

 - Sponsored Content - 

Join us for an inspiring day of growth and strategy while hearing from bestselling author Jon Acuff. Gain actionable insights to increase your impact. Limited tickets are available; get yours today!

On Thursday, May 8th we will celebrate the graduation 26 local professionals, marking the 33rd annual Leadership Program class. Dozens of Central Minnesota's best and brightest have participated in this program, and now these graduates are among the ranks. Congratulations!

• Adolfo Chavez, Gate City Bank
• Laura Chrast, Forever Young Two Wellness and Skincare
• Tom Conyers, Patron Transportation
• Emily Davis, Greater St. Cloud Development Corporation (EPIC)
• Victoria Driscoll, 180 Degrees St. Cloud Youth Shelter
• Brandon Drontle, Murphy Granite Carving, Inc.
• Mitch Eickhoff, Jules' Bistro
• Nicole Flynn, Stearns Bank
• Jordyn Foss, Paramount Center for the Arts
• Ben Hanowski, Deerwood Bank
• Shelly Imdieke, St. Cloud Area Chamber of Commerce
• Chad Johnson, Catholic Charities

• Guy Konietzko, Park Industries
• Brittany Liberty, Central MN Mental Health Center
• Charlie Lindstrom, Motor Works
• Sammie Lundquist, Coborn's Inc.
• Shauna Massmann, WACOSA
• Sydney Meyer, AIS Planning
• Amy Petersen, Coborn's Inc.
• Casaundra Pfeiffer, Junior Achievement North - St. Cloud Area
• Lois Rengel, Catholic Charities
• Lexi Secord, Creative Planning
• Meagan Simonson, Lamar Advertising
• Alex Stanz, American Heritage National Bank
• Rebecca Trelfa, ConnectAbility of MN
• Braeden Wahl, Marco

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. The next session begins in September, 2025 - are you interested?

All member testimonials are listed here as well as in a rotating carousel on the homepage of StCloudAreaChamber.com (scroll to the bottom) - so submit yours now and check it out!

Things are gearing up for the 79th Annual Chamber Open on July 28th at Territory Golf Club.

• Sponsor: Sponsorship opportunities for the Chamber Open are available, including the Champion Sponsor spot! Don't miss out on this great exposure for your business.
• Teams: Chamber Open golf teams fill up fast, get your team registered ASAP so you don't miss out on the fun!

From transportation to tax reform, the St. Cloud Area Chamber is the voice of the business community to local, state, and federal elected officials. The Chamber’s Government Affairs Division communicates the key business needs to our elected officials. Government Affairs programming is planned and executed thanks to the guidance and assistance of the Government Affairs Committee.

Committee Members

• Steve Gottwalt, Steve Gottwalt Consulting, Chair
• Briana Torborg, Falcon National Bank, Vice Chair
• Jason Bernick, Bernick's, Past Chair
• Tammy Stark, Career Solutions
• Jodi Gertken, CentraCare
• David Borgert, formerly of CentraCare
• John Wolak, Arvig
• Mark Geller, High Impact Training
• Tanja Goering, Spirit 92.9

Annual Events

• Candidate Forums
• St. Cloud Goes to Washington, D.C.      
• Evening at the Capital
• Legislative Kick-off and Wrap-up
• Legislative Forums
• Meet & Greets

Chamber members and their employees are encouraged to participate in the Government Affairs Division of the Chamber. Regular Government Affairs meetings take place on the third Wedneday of the month, unless otherwise noted. For more information, contact Julie Lunning at (320) 656-3804 or email Julie.

St. Cloud Area Chamber of Commerce

1411 West Saint Germain Street, ste. 101

St. Cloud, Minnesota, 56301

320-251-2940

StCloudAreaChamber.com