During Thursday’s City of St. Cloud’s Council meeting, the City received an award from the Florida League of Cities for the its Economic Gardening Program. The Economic Advancement Award recognizes a program that supports, highlights, or partners with the local community to improve the economic well-being of the city.
Economic gardening is an entrepreneurial approach to economic development that embraces the idea that entrepreneurs drive economies. St. Cloud’s Economic Gardening program included many financial and technical assistance programs for businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and by downtown construction.
The program offered $190,000 in grants, technical support, fee waivers and marketplace information for small and mid-size businesses. Among the programs included in the Economic Gardening program were Cloud Cash, utility payment assistance, marketing grants, and a shuttle service.
St. Cloud’s Economic Gardening program has also received the International Economic Development Council 2024 Excellence in Economic Development Bronze Award for Business Retention & Expansion.
In reviewing the City’s award application, the judges noted things such as: “Great cross-sectional partnership to provide a solution to an immediate problem but also programming that can extend into the future to continue supporting small businesses.” Another judge noted: “Great job taking a significant problem and offering a creative solution.”
“Our Economic Development office has created innovative programs to support our local businesses during challenging times, and we are thrilled to see those efforts recognized on a state and national level,” said City Manager Veronica Miller.
