SEO Optimization Testing

As one of Minnesota’s fastest-growing metropolitan areas, St. Cloud has the talent and resources businesses need to innovate, grow, and succeed in a rapidly changing economy. St. Cloud’s business-focused, collaborative nature attracts skilled talent and innovative, growth-minded businesses in four Key Industries.

Dive into the details of each Key Industry below.

Automation

As one of the nation's most-wired markets with a sophisticated workforce, robust tech infrastructure, and shovel-ready sites less than an hour from the Twin Cities, St. Cloud has become a global high-tech haven. That status is reflected in St. Cloud’s automation sector, which spans numerous industries, each adopting leading-edge technologies in robotics, material handling, edge and cloud computing, and industrial IoT.  

Home to over 300 manufacturing businesses, 400 industrial engineers, and 24,700 college students, St. Cloud is an unparalleled strategic investment for automation innovation.

Infographic showing 3 facts about St. Cloud and 3 facts about MN

Business Software Applications

St. Cloud’s business software and applications sector is fueled by over 5,000 IT and customer service workers and is integrated into various industries, such as Information and Network Security, Financial Solutions, Software Development, and Telehealth.  

Businesses benefit from St. Cloud’s unparalleled competitive advantages, ranging from world-class research and training facilities, over 24,700 college students, and the fastest-growing labor force in Minnesota.

Infographic showing 3 facts about St. Cloud and 3 facts about MN

Food Manufacturing

St. Cloud’s Food Manufacturing sector is a dynamic collection of businesses representing processing, logistics, packaging, storage, and critical supply chain components.  

Supported by the fastest growing workforce in Minnesota, critical infrastructure related to food research and development, and a growing University program in biomedical sciences and biochemistry, St. Cloud’s food manufacturers have access to the resources needed to innovate and grow.

Infographic showing 3 facts about St. Cloud and 3 facts about MN

Precision Manufacturing

St. Cloud is at the juncture of high-tech innovation and historical business excellence, offering businesses the opportunity to excel in precision manufacturing. Cutting-edge practices in machine-to-machine, machine-to-operator, automation, additive, and subtractive technologies, keep local businesses at the forefront of their industrial sectors.

Building on the strengths of an existing labor force of approximately 30,000 production, construction, and installation workers, St. Cloud manufacturers collaborate with educational programs in area high school and post-secondary options, to keep the talent pipeline for future success.

Infographic showing 3 facts about St. Cloud and 3 facts about MN

Talent Access

As one of Minnesota’s fastest-growing metropolitan areas, St. Cloud has the talent and resources businesses need to innovate, expand, and thrive in a rapidly changing technology economy. St. Cloud Technical & Community College and St. Cloud State University offer technician programs in manufacturing and engineering, electrical engineering, material science, statistical process control, FANUC robotics, and more.

Business Leader Highlight

Park Industries, a local stonecutting manufacturer, participated in the innovative SCSU Huskies Invent program. The 48-hour “problem-to-prototype” event brings real-world challenges from local companies to a cross-functional team of students, for a weekend of innovation in ISELF.