Local Incentives: Creating a Climate for Commerce
Financial Incentives:
The greater St. Cloud area has a number of financial incentives and tools readily available to qualifying companies.
 

  • Job Opportunity Building Zones (JOBZ) operate in an environment nearly free of state and local taxes. These tax incentives will help new and expanding companies lower their overall costs and facilitate growth and prosperity.  JOBZ may be available to businesses that qualify.
  • Bioscience Zones - The Cities of St. Cloud, St. Joseph, Sartell, Sauk Rapids, Waite Park and St. Augusta have joined forces to encourage the State of Minnesota to establish a central Minnesota Bioscience Zone.  This zone would be for new medical device and pharmaceutical firms.
  • Other incentives include:
  • Tax abatement
  • Revolving loan programs for buildings, working capital and equipment
  • Small Business Administration loans
  • Job Skills Partnership Grant Program
  • Tax increment financing
  • Venture capital

In addition, The Initiative Foundation, which is a member of The Partnership, has a strong commitment to economic development and an impressive track record of helping businesses thrive in Central Minnesota. Among a number of incentives, The Foundation offers a Business Loan Program and a Loan Guarantee Program.

Technical Resources and Training:
The Partnership can put you in contact with a variety of resources for customized training, workforce and employment and business development, including:

  • door 15, the continuing education division of St. Cloud Technical College, offering classes and training suited to individual business needs, especially customized training seminars, continuing education and emergency or safety education.
  • Anderson Entrepreneurial Center's education programs span the entire life cycle of the entrepreneurial process from start up to growth and succession planning.
  • The Minnesota Small Business Development Center at St. cloud State University provides confidential counseling and training to business owners and people interested in starting a business.
  • Resource Training and Solutions offers a variety of work topic seminars as well as online software training.
  • The Minnesota Workforce Center-St. Cloud is a major resource for employment, training, job service and rehabilitation services.
  • Additional resources include BizLinks, Biz Pathways, Minnesota Technology, SCORE and Women Venture.