Mississippi River Partnership

Communities across the country are realizing the great benefits of the natural resources surrounding them. In Central Minnesota, this is especially true as it relates to the Mississippi River. The Central Minnesota Community Foundation is one of 19 community foundations that have joined the River Partnership of Community Foundations, a multi-year effort to improve the environmental health and economic vitality of rivers and communities in the 10-state Mississippi River region.

The Foundation's involvement in the River Partnership led to its work encouraging leaders in the Greater St. Cloud area to recognize the river's potential and develop a riverfront plan. 

The St. Cloud Urban Area Mississippi River Corridor Plan has been adopted by the river cities of Sartell, Sauk Rapids, and St. Cloud as a community-based vision, and creating a riverfront development initiative based on that plan is now one of the top 10 community priorities.  The St. Cloud Joint Planning District Board recently approved the formation an urban river committee, which will lead the effort to enhance utilization of the urbanized area’s riverfront, while maintaining the Mississippi River as a regional asset through appropriate stewardship.