Greater Saint Cloud unveils new brand, strategic plan and regional projects to Sherburne EDA

Nataya Bowman, president and CEO of Greater Saint Cloud, presented the organization’s new brand and a three‑pillar strategic plan to the Sherburne County Economic Development Authority on Jan. 15.

Bowman said Greater Saint Cloud (formerly the Greater Saint Cloud Development Corporation) will concentrate on unified regional leadership, supporting businesses at every stage and amplifying the region’s return on investment. "We've just launched a new brand and a new strategic plan," she told the board, noting the organization will continue the same mission under a simplified name and a new tagline.

Bowman reviewed 2025 highlights: the launch of Stage Works at the Davidson Opera House (a hybrid entrepreneur and business hub that has fully leased its private offices), participation in deed Main Street economic revitalization grants for downtown projects, and work supporting the NIRON Magnetics phase‑1 production facility in Sartell — described in the presentation as a 200,000‑square‑foot facility representing a projected $400,000,000 capital investment and about 175 high‑paying jobs with operations anticipated in late 2027. Bowman said Greater Saint Cloud moved from site selection into workforce and talent development work for the project.

She also described ImPlan, a new economic impact modeling service Greater Saint Cloud is offering to quantify direct, indirect and induced impacts for projects, and noted the My Town video series episode featuring parts of the region has surpassed 60,000 views, which the organization will use as a partner amplification tool.

Board members asked for a copy of the slide deck; Bowman confirmed she would circulate the PDF and offered to send PowerPoint if preferred.

What happens next: staff will distribute the slides and consider any follow‑up collaboration between the EDA and Greater Saint Cloud on workforce, marketing and project support.