The Central Minnesota Community Foundation partnered with the Initiative Foundation to launch a community visioning project designed to identify key ways to improve the region's vitality.

More than 200 people in February 2011 evaluated 30 community priorities that community groups previously narrowed from a list of 200. “The region is a great place to live, work and play,” CMCF President Steve Joul said. “But through this process, we can come together to drive some key efforts that will take our community to the next level.”

The foundations evaluated the list and connected key people to lead each priority. As work on the community priorities evolves in the coming months, the foundations will hold up the priorities in the greater St. Cloud community, as well as to provide linkages that connect individuals and organizations interested in the priority areas.

A joint grant fund has been created by the two foundations to support initial planning and short term expenses to advance priorities, leverage other resources and increase community engagement.

Here's what's happening on the current priorities:

• Support the launch of the Greater St. Cloud Development Corporation (GSDC).
  Lead:John Kramer, CEO, Greater St. Cloud Development Corporation
  
  What's New: The GSDC was formed in April 2011 to lead economic development for the benefit of the Greater St. Cloud Community. The vision of the organization is aspiring to achieve is “Greater St. Cloud is a growing and vibrant community where talented people choose to live, work, and engage.”
  
  The 64 founding directors identified the following strategic objective areas: engage leaders, grow businesses, retain talent, and support the community. The next step in the strategic planning process is to develop more detailed strategies and business plans around each area.
  
  After an extensive national search process, the organization hired John Kramer as a full-time CEO. Additionally, after a detailed RFP and interview process, the organization has engaged Linnihan Foy to help develop a brand for the corporation and to develop a website.    
  
  Strategic planning and and branding efforts are underway. The organization is developing business plans for six key initiative areas that include: Business, Innovation, Talent, Wellness, Downtown, and Air Service.
  
  
• Coordinate regional promotion of cultural, arts and entertainment activities.
  Leads: Mimi Bitzan, ArtWORKS Initiative
  
  What's New: A new website (www.aroundthecloud.org) lauched September 14 to provide a one-stop-shop for arts and cultural events in the Greater St. Cloud area. The new website provides easy access for theater, music, dance, festivals, visual art, literary events and lectures, events for kids and families, and more. The site has had 400 event listings. Central Minnesota Arts Board maintains the site.
  
  

• Utilize Placemaking and Public Art to revitalize the Urban Core and connect riverfront, downtowns and neighborhoods.
  Leads: Jennifer Penzkover  and Mimi Bitzan, ArtWORKS Initiative
  
  What's New: ArtWORKS secured a $53,000 festival grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board, which includes a public art component, to connect the river to downtown.  An art “banner gallery,” connecting downtown with the river is set for installation by the end of 2011. The gallery will rotate original artwork quarterly.
  
  ArtWORKS, the St. Cloud Arts Commission and the St. Cloud Planning Department will survey existing Placemaking plans to identify opportunities for implementation of public art with input from community members and key stakeholders.
  
  Plans are underway to explore opportunities for small flexible performance and exhibit venues and artist live/work space in and around downtown.
  
  

• Develop multi-generational, multi-cultural service opportunities and community activities.
  Lead: Greg Vandal, Volunteer Engagement Initiative
  
  What's New: Citizens are invited to visit www.unitedwayhelps.org to learn about volunteer opportunities. Week of Action and St. Cloud Area Volunteer Expo were held in September. Several events are planned for this year and metrics are being developed. The current focus is youth and education.
  
  
• Create a riverfront development initiative based on the new river plan.
  Lead: David Leapaldt, GLT Architects
  
  What's New: The St. Cloud Urban Area River Plan has been adopted as a community-based vision with implementation strategies to maintain the Mississippi River as a regional asset with a focus on stewardship and utilization of the urbanized area’s riverfront.
  
  The City of St. Cloud authorized a study to enhance connectivity of the Kelly Inn property to the river, and longer term efforts are underway to link the Wobegon Trail to the Mississippi River. The trail connections project, however, has been delayed due to funding.
  
  The task force is now considered a committee of the Joint District Planning Board. The City of St. Cloud website includes updates from three cities and social media tools for collecting public input.
  
  
• Create regional education and business partnerships that build and retain an excellent workforce.
  Leads: Dr. Earl Potter or Dr. Diana Lawson, St. Cloud State University
  
  What's New: A work group identified existing resources to prepare workers for the employment needs of the area (current and future) in order to identify gaps in education & training, especially for high-wage employment. A work group compiled information on Best Practices in Education/Business partnerships and an asset map of the education pipeline has been drafted. The group is exploring online tools to connect educators, employees and businesses.
  
  
• Support regional air service and Big Lake connection to Northstar rail.
  Leads: Bill Towle, St. Cloud Regional Airport and Brian Bensen, Sherburne County
  
  What's New: The City of St. Cloud received a $750,000 grant, engaged a consultant to update the master plan and is in conversations with John Kramer of GSDC about providing some leadership on project. The task force is exploring new multi-jurisdictional operating structure for airport. 
  
  State budget issues have had a signficant impact on the Northstar project. The Northstar Corridor Development Corporation is documenting increased ridership on both the Northstar Link and the Northstar Rail while they await funding opportunities.
  
  
• Streamline local regulations for new and growing businesses.
  Lead: Teresa Bohnen, St. Cloud Area Chamber of Commerce
  
  What's New: The work group is surveying local governments with regard to shared service and gathering data about barriers to building, development and redevelopment; and general support for business growth. The group is researching shared services and development standards, processes and fees and to offer recommendations to area jurisdictions that will make it easier for businesses to expand while preserving community standards.
  
  
• Develop regional community and/or aquatic center.
  Lead:  Greg Gack, YMCA and Chuck Rau, City of St. Cloud Task Force
  
  What's New:The Y Task Force meets regularly and is exploring how to best integrate others interested in this priority area. A consultant is engaged and is conducting feasibility and market study to help identify size, amenities, and financial sustainability of a community center and/or aquatic center. The task force has engaged leaders from areas cities and are disussing legislative priorities.
  
  
• Facilitate connections for new immigrants and refugees with the broader community.
  Leads:  Steve Joul, CMCF and Kathy Gaalswyk, Initiative Foundation
  
  What's New: A work group is gathering data about services and resources available to help new Americans with housing, work force, English language, education, and other basic needs for integrating into the community.
  
  A work group is identifying existing resources to prepare workers for high-wage employment so that gaps and key opportunities can be identified, and partnerships can be launched between education and business entities.
  
  The work group identified a need for a strategy to link various activities, including:
  
  • Create CommUNITY restructured; Conversation on Race event
  • Asset mapping of resources for immigrants nearly finished
  • Multicultural Marketplace/Summer Time by George combined
  • SCSU research underway; Micro Loan Fund (with IF);
  • Work group addressing capacity building for immigrant led nonprofits
  • Community volunteer event sponsored by Kids Against Hunger to support famine relief in the horn of Africa planned for December 3rd is an opportunity to build bridges in the community.
  • Numerous nonprofit efforts