Let’s take the time to look at the some of the GREATER innovative things that are going on in St. Cloud.
ISELF at St. Cloud State University
St. Cloud State University is always on the cutting edge of technology and research. SCSU is home to the Integrated Science and Engineering Laboratory Facility (ISELF). This facility aligns faculty and their students on partnered research projects that can help a company or business excel at driving its vision for innovation.The focus of ISELF projects is to be interdisciplinary with all students and faculty. The focus is on small to mid-sized companies, especially ones that employ small research and development budgets. Some of the companies involved include Medtronic and The Mayo Clinic. Locally, Microbiologics, Geo-Comm, and C4 Welding are also involved in ISELF.
The building has also become a great recruiting tool for faculty and students that come to St. Cloud State University. Businesses that partner with SCSU benefit from a strong connection with students and the possibility of hiring top talent when they graduate.
Employment Through CMMA and DEED
Even more exciting for the future of St. Cloud is that more than a dozen Central Minnesota high schools are active members of the Central Minnesota Manufacturing Association. All of these high schools are located within a 60-mile radius of St. Cloud. This bodes well for future manufacturing business employees in the area.The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) also aids in strengthening the future of innovation in St. Cloud. Back in 2014, DEED granted $147,739 to the Minnesota Job Skills Partnership Program to SCSU to train 84 employees of Netgain – an IT provider for the healthcare industry. These employees improved their technical and leadership skills, advanced their careers, and kept the company competitive in the ever-changing healthcare industry.
Clean Energy in St. Cloud
Last year, St. Cloud received a very high honor from the Minnesota Department of Commerce when it was awarded a “Clean Energy Community Award.” This award is given to communities that increase energy efficiency or renewable energy opportunities and drive innovation to advance the state’s clean energy goals. The city’s renewable energy and efficiency initiative includes a solar power initiative, wastewater energy efficiency and biofuel project, street light improvements and an action plan with Xcel Energy’s Partners in Energy.These St. Cloud projects are making the community GREATER than ever! To learn more about community and business initiatives in St. Cloud, visit www.ci.stcloud.mn.us.
