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This is a two-part series on the different school districts in Benton County. You can also read about Sauk Rapids-Rice Public Schools and their commitment to supporting the next generation of learners.Parents have multiple high-quality public school options in Benton County. Foley Public Schools supports nearly 2,000 students across three...
This is a two-part series on the different school districts in Benton County. You can also read about Foley Public Schools and their commitment to supporting the next generation of learners. Parents in Benton County, Minnesota, have multiple school districts to choose from for their kids, but one top option is Sauk...
The chefs behind St. Joseph's Krewe restaurant and Flour & Flower bakery will be opening their newest venture in St. Joseph next month.Chefs Erin Lucus and Mateo Mackbee will be opening Joetown Smashburger in the new House Food and Tap food hall, bringing a new option of casual American fare...
A new proposed bill from Sen. Aric Putnam, DFL-St. Cloud, would require additional licenses for delivery services like DoorDash and Instacart to deliver alcohol.Putnam presented the bill Tuesday in the Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection Committee, which would create a retail license with required liquor liability insurance for third-party delivery...
Understanding your customers' needs, frustrations and praise for your brand is a critical element for entrepreneurs who want to improve their products and generate more revenue. What used to be a simple task through customer conversations and basic surveys is now more complex than ever. Today, audiences with rapidly changing...
The trend across America is for large metro areas to be leaking population, as smaller and medium sized cities see folks moving in. Many in the country are seeking a less hectic, less crowded, better quality of life.Minnesota is loaded with these smaller to medium sized towns that fit the...
Here, I am looking at innovation through the lens of process improvement. The value of most organizations is defined by their intellectual capital rather than their physical assets. The intellectual capital of your organization can be traced through the process maps that enable your business operations.Process innovation is not achievable...
The Risk of Marketing Without a PlanMany rural communities struggle to attract business investment, site selectors, and workforce talent–not because they lack opportunity, but because they don’t have a clear economic development marketing strategy.We’ve seen it happen time and time again. Economic developers in rural America rely on one-off marketing...
While homebuyers and home sellers still see headlines about the housing market being a seller’s market and national home prices reaching all-time highs, a deeper look reveals that several regional housing markets have shifted, giving homebuyers some power.During the pandemic housing boom, from summer 2020 to spring 2022, the number...
Most Minnesota manufacturers expect improving or similar business conditions for 2025 compared to last year, according to an annual survey conducted by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) and the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. More than 85% of the survey's 232 respondents expect improvements or similar...
Minnesota is known for its vibrant business community and talented workforce, making it an exceptional place to live and work. Great Workplaces in Minnesota honors some of the state’s most outstanding employers—organizations where employees are engaged and eager to contribute.Great Workplaces in Minnesota is a collaborative effort between Best Companies...
During February, CareerForce draws attention to the many opportunities available to high school students to prepare for employment through a combination of classroom instruction and hands-on learning.Career and Technical Education (CTE) courses integrate core academic knowledge with technical and occupational knowledge and skills to provide students a pathway to postsecondary...
The St. Cloud Times is looking for nominations for its annual recognition of the area's top professionals who are under 40.For the 19th year, Local IQ and the St. Cloud Times needs the community's help. Nominations for 5 Under 40 opens Feb. 5.The Times is looking for young business leaders...
CareerForce can help you jump start your job search. Here are five tips to get you started:Develop a plan before you start applying for jobs. What kind of employment do you want? CareerForce can help you with interest and skills assessments plus tips on occupation, industry, and employer research. When...
Washington Post columnist Catherine Rampell writes that Scott Bessent “is using all the budget high jinks at his disposal to produce a pseudoscientific plan that’s rosier, more magical and more paper-thin than the past several decades of GOP budget fantasies.” As a former macro trader, Bessent would no doubt share...
The Detroit factory where Henry Ford first began mass-producing automobiles had a transformative impact not just on the auto industry but on manufacturing and business practices across all industries. However, that factory was singular in purpose—assembling a Model T as quickly and uniformly as possible.Today, while optimal efficiency in production...
Two are in California, two are in Texas, and one each is in Washington state and Ohio. One is a seaport, three are airports and two are neighboring border crossings.The Port of Los Angeles, San Francisco International Airport, the Cincinnati-Northern Kentucky International Airport, Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, and two nearby border...
As global initiatives place increased emphasis on sustainable construction and built environments, emerging priorities for building projects in nearly every industry are focused on resilience, embodied carbon reduction and achieving net-zero energy. For building owners, the challenge lies in effectively integrating sustainability and environmental, social and governance (ESG) strategies into...
Effective collaboration with local governments is essential for success when planning large industrial developments. These partnerships often determine whether a project moves smoothly through approvals and into operation or encounters delays, budget overruns, and community opposition. For decision-makers overseeing site selection or expansion, building and maintaining strong relationships with local...
On any given Friday night, Jimmy's Pour House will be packed with people. The bar and restaurant is a popular spot for breakfast, lunch, and dinner in downtown Sauk Rapids.And it has all the trappings of a small-town restaurant: High school kids will show you to your seat. You'll recognize...
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Benton Economic Partnership (BEP) provides business resources throughout the year to members and local entrepreneurs alike. However, there are plenty of tools you can tap into on your own to guide your business operations. One of the most valuable documents to develop this time of year is a business plan.A business...
The smartest move you can make in the end-of-year work rush (Hint: It’s not what you think)
Dec 13 2024As we push through the last stretch of the year, many of us are caught in a relentless “rush, rush, rush, busy, busy, busy” cycle. There’s the pressure to tick every box, meet every deadline, and make it through the end of the year in one piece. But, as tempting...
Sartell to hire consultant to help navigate private sector marketplace with Mill District
Dec 12 2024Sartell is making progress toward its Mill District project as the city council met with consultants Monday night to learn more about potential future steps.The consultants—a team consisting of IAG Commercial, I & S Group, Inc., and Thrive, LLC.—could be tasked with implementing the city’s Mill District Concept Plan and...
A new health clinic in downtown St. Cloud has begun offering services to the area's low-income and underinsured patients.Aslan Health Clinic, founded by local husband and wife Clay and Rebecca White, opened in August to offer general family medicine appointments, such as annual physicals and sports physicals. It also offers...
