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Sauk Rapids, Minnesota, is home to SNX Technologies, a company that manufactures contour edgebanders, edgebanding chemicals, and glue to support furniture, closet, and cabinet companies. The edgebanders apply the colored edges along wood desks and other pieces to create a smoother and more fashionable surface.“If you are sitting at the...
The City of Gilman has a population of 222 and is just 20 minutes from St. Cloud. Residents appreciate its beautiful parks, historic church, and farm co-op. People choose to move to Gilman when they want ample land and a lower cost of living.While Gilman's overall cost of living is...
The City of St. Cloud Helps Benton County Grow
Oct 20 2025St. Cloud is the fifth-most populous city in Minnesota with 72,000 residents. It strikes a healthy balance between offering diverse amenities for residents while maintaining a small-town community. People move to the City of St. Cloud when they want easy access to the natural beauty of Minnesota without giving up...
The City of Foley has nearly 3,000 residents and is located 20 minutes outside St. Cloud. The families that move here appreciate the safe, rural community that balances access to assets with room to spread out. It is home to Foley Public Schools, which boasts a small student-teacher ratio of 15:1. If you...
The City of Sauk Rapids started as a single house in 1851 and has grown into a community of 14,000 residents. It is located across the river from St. Cloud and continues to expand as more people and businesses move there. Sauk Rapids has experienced balanced economic development over the...
Benton County is home to multiple towns and municipalities that are great for families. The City of Rice increasingly attracts residents who want to live in a smaller community without losing access to popular amenities.Rice currently has a population of 2,000 residents, a 55% increase from 1,275 in 2010. This...
Iron Street Distillery is the only distillery in St. Cloud and has been open for 2.5 years. Not only does this mark a new business in St. Cloud, but it also introduces a whole new industry. Customers can visit their cocktail room at 539 E Saint Germain St. and try...
Manufacturing is considered the backbone of Minnesota’s economy, supporting 11% of the total workforce. Manufacturing firms come in all sizes and support a variety of industries worldwide. Based in Foley, AMAX Manufacturing, Inc. is a plastic injection molding company that accommodates a wide range of part sizes, materials, and production volumes.Read more...
It is the first day of classes for the students at the St. Cloud Technical and Community College.President Lori Kloos says enrollment is up about six-and-a-quarter percent this fall compared to last fall.“So that's 245 students more enrolled for this fall than were enrolled last fall. That's pretty much across...
Newly engaged couples planning their vows can tour The Shed at Halfway Crossing, a 40-acre event venue between Rice and Royalton, just 20 miles north of St. Cloud. The venue is easily accessible via Highway 10, making it an ideal option for couples who want to escape into the country...
Unlocking Your Workforce Potential: A Guide to Labor Market Insights for Employers Part I
Aug 20 2025On the August Workforce Wednesday, the Workforce Strategy consultants and a panel of experts helped Minnesota employers navigate the wealth of labor market information available to make more informed decisions for their organization. In today's competitive landscape, understanding workforce trends is crucial for attracting and retaining top talent. By leveraging...
Since 1917, Sunburst Memorials has provided quality memorials and markers for customers to honor their loved ones. The company has grown from a local memorial provider to a regional brand with 22 retail stores and works with 200 dealers nationwide.Sunburst Memorials is at capacity, producing 7,500 memorials per year. It...
Minnesota's employment level, unemployment rate and labor force indicators show mild signs of slowing in July, reflecting national trends. But Minnesota's over-the-year job growth was stronger than the nation as a whole, according to new data from the Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED).Minnesota lost 4,400 jobs over-the-month in...
Area Development magazine caught up with its Q2 guest editors, Ford Graham and Steven Pearce from McGuireWoods consulting, to talk about their reporting on data center supply chains. We invited Ermengarde Jabir Director of Economic Research at Moody’s who also explored data centers for a recent Area Development article to...
Minnesota’s manufacturing sector plays an outsized role in the state’s economy. It is the state’s second largest sector and has a disproportionate impact on other industries. When manufacturing grows, it spurs activity in construction, real estate, professional services, utilities and other industries that supply the needs of local manufacturers.Given this...
Governor Tim Walz and the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) today announced $12 million for workforce development for Minnesotans. The State Drive for 5 program provides competitive grants to provide workforce training and job placement in five high growth industries: caring professions, education, manufacturing, technology, and the...
An old bank building in downtown Foley is getting a facelift with the help of a state grant.Foley City Administrator Sarah Brunn says they awarded one grant through the Main Street Revitalization Grant Program.Thorston Holdings LLC is doing a renovation and exterior improvement to 201 4th Avenue North. Locals call...
Mark Christensen remembers working a construction job in 2005 when a friend climbed a roof and came down with his pockets filled with agates.That moment sparked something in Christensen, who's now a full-fledged "rockhound" — an amateur geologist.His wedding ring is filled with amethyst, a deep purple variant of quartz...
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Businesses in Benton County looking for branded promotional items and apparel can contact OnBrand Promo, LLC. The organization is known for creating "promo that pops, apparel that rocks," and can accommodate diverse business sizes and industries. This company helps businesses stand out by creating memorable items to sell or give...
“I am an RN now!!” exclaimed Emma. “I work at Mercy Hospital on a med surge!"Emma has achieved a major milestone on her caring career journey thanks to program funded by a Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) Drive for 5 grant. This unique program allowed Emma to...
The conversation around Artificial Intelligence often conjures images of rapid, disruptive change. While the data on AI's potential is vast, what does it mean for businesses on the ground, particularly in Minnesota? On the July 2025 Workforce Wednesday session, we heard from leaders at two Minnesota employers, Vivid Image and...
Rural America is having a moment. Policymakers and business leaders increasingly see the heartland as indispensable to the nation’s future health and prosperity.What are the unique strengths of rural communities? What are their most pressing needs? And how can rural communities across the U.S. position themselves as viable destinations for...
All summer long, CareerForce is putting a spotlight on the many employment opportunities in health care and social assistance and encouraging people to “Follow Your Heart to a Caring Career”.There are more job openings in health care and social assistance than in any other industry in Minnesota. According to the...
There’s a lot of buzz—and some concern—about AI’s impact on jobs. You might have seen headlines quoting industry leaders who predict AI could eliminate up to 50% of entry-level white-collar jobs within five years, potentially causing widespread unemployment. While it’s always wise to be prepared, it’s important to maintain perspective.This...
