GSDC Turns Ten This Week

(KNSI) – The Greater St. Cloud Development Corporation is celebrating its 10th anniversary this week.

The GSDC was created as a private collaboration to lead economic development in Benton, Sherburne, and Stearns counties.

Some of the strategies implemented include engaging community leaders, expanding talent, growing businesses, and developing a brighter future for Greater St. Cloud.

Over the last decade, the tri-county area has seen a 13.7 percent increase in employment, adding almost 16,000 additional jobs. That’s higher than the 13.1 percent state increase over the same time.

The GSDC contributed to that growth by helping local businesses secure more than $43 million in resources.

Since its start, the organization has assisted with expansions at Blattner Energy, Central McGowan, Cold Spring Brewing Company, Grede, Microbiologics, Pilgrim’s, Toppan Merrill, and many others, and helped attract Geringhoff to St. Cloud.

The GSDC has also collaborated with gBETA and ILT Studios on programming that helps business startups and entrepreneurs and has developed multiple tools to support and promote business vitality with www.GreaterStCloudJobSpot.com, www.StCloudShines.com, and the new www.AroundCloudTutors.com.

The GSDC has grown from 65 initial member investor organizations to 146 today.

The GSDC office is at 501 West St. Germain Street, Suite 100, in downtown St. Cloud. Its phone number is 320-259-0300.

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