St. Cloud serves as the region's commercial center. St. Cloud still has a high level of manufacturing jobs when compared to the rest of Minnesota and the nation. Items produced in St. Cloud include wood products, freezers, storage tanks, buses, concrete, outdoor products and machinery. Agriculture is also important to the economy. Poultry processing is also a notable industry in St. Cloud.
A large percentage of the jobs in St. Cloud are provided by the fields of education, healthcare, accommodation and food services; professional, scientific and technical services; and finance and insurance. The service industry in St. Cloud is more focused on consumer services than business-to-business services. In addition, electronic shopping and mail order houses also provide numerous jobs.
Interesting facts about St. Cloud, Minnesota: The estimated median household income in the city in 2007 was $40,000. In 2008 the cost of living index was at 82.9. The country's average is 100. Regarding the adult residents, 30% have earned a bachelor's degree or better.
The following list includes the primary employers in St. Cloud:
- Coborn's Inc
- St. Cloud Hospital
- JFC Inc
- St. Cloud State University
- Independent School District 742 Community Schools
- Woodcraft Industries, Inc
- Golden Pump Poultry Inc
- Spee Dee Delivery Service Inc
- Mark Coborn and Family Real Property Par
- Pan-O-Gold Baking Co
- Anderson Trucking Service Inc
- Automotive Parts Headquarters, Inc
- Centracare Clinic
- Catholic Charities of the Diocese of St. Cloud
- Nahan Printing, Inc
- Stearns Financial Services
- Pleasureland, Incorporated
Some of the jobs more prevalent in St. Cloud when compared to most other cities are farm equipment mechanics, ophthalmic laboratory technicians, bindery workers, wood working machine operators, production workers; installation, maintenance and repair workers; and food batch makers.
St. Cloud businesses are invited to team up with helpful organizations such as:
- St. Cloud Area Chamber of Commerce
- St. Cloud Area Economic Development
- Economic Development Association of Minnesota
People can stay current with the city's business and industry activities by reading the local newspaper the St. Cloud Times.