ADVANTAGES OF DOWNTOWN COUNCIL MEMBERSHIP:

Many have taken their place amongst our committed group of members. Receive the benefits that more than 240 other business leaders are enjoying. When Downtown prospers, business owners, property owners, citizens and visitors benefit.

  • Web site and web site links
  • Advertising
  • Downtown Discount Card
  • Advocacy
  • Economic Development
  • Government Relations
  • Networking
  • Retail Recruitment
  • Safety & Security
  • Special Events (should bring user directly to the ‘Annual Upcoming Events’ page)
  • Streetscape / Downtown Planning
  • Riverfront Development
  • Resource Library and Business Consulting
  • Loan Program(s)
  • Newsletters
  • Crime Watch
  • Street Beautification

ADVERTISING OPPORTUNITIES

Newspaper – Option 1
Downtown Council members can take advantage of a special offer with the St. Cloud Times for advertising on the “Downtown Page”. This is a special section reserved exclusively for Downtown Council members. It is an inexpensive and noticeable way to advertise your business and to promote the downtown area! As a Downtown Council member, you will receive:

  • 50% off your ad on the Downtown Page (up to a quarter of a page or 3 columns by 11 inches)
  • One FREE color, based on availability
  • Pick up the same ad in the paper within seven (7) days from the “Downtown Page” run date and receive 40% off your ad on a FREE color (excludes Sundays).

Live It! Love It! Downtown Quarterly Tabloid

2005 introduced a brand new eight page quarterly publication featuring Downtown St. Cloud. This new tabloid is exclusive to Downtown and is a collaborative effort between the Downtown Council and the St. Cloud Times. As an organization, we are always seeking ways to help our membership. A publication such as this, exclusive to Downtown, is unprecedented. We hope that this partnership will allow all St. Cloud downtown businesses and property owners that “special opportunity” to promote to the greatest extent possible, with a common message (downtown), and at a reduced cost. St. Cloud is the center point of life in the Central Minnesota region. Our retail, restaurant, cultural and entertainment offerings provide a unique set of positive experiences unequalled in the region and Downtown is the hub of activity for our city. Unlike the Twin Cities or rural areas north of St. Cloud, Downtown St. Cloud will bring together a powerful mix of growth opportunities combined with a warm small city friendly environment in a single location. Downtown will reflect the best of our region rooted in the strength of our history as the granite capital. The Downtown Council staff will be responsible for the content and the St. Cloud Times is responsible for ad placement.
Advertising Rates: $14.38/ci Daily $19.93/ci Sunday or contract rates apply (These rates are about 50% off the regular rate and available only to Downtown Council members). For information on becoming a DTC member, please contact Pegg at
257-8600. Advertise new merchandise or sale Place an ad to lease space Place an ad to sell property Place an ad about an event

The St. Cloud Times also has an excellent creative staff who can design your ads for you at no additional charge.

Contact: or 202-5419.
Articles are handled by the DTC office. Contact: or 257-8600.

Kiosk (new 2006)
The Downtown Council worked with the City to place two (2) information kiosks in downtown St. Cloud. If you are interested in listing your business, contact Pegg at (320) 257-8600.

Internet
Downtown Council members may have their web site linked on the Downtown Council web site. If you would like a link to your web site, please send us your web site address.

Downtown Discount Card Program (new 2007)
?DTC Members may participate for $50 per year; non-members $200/year;

?The money collected will be used to print the cards and to promote the program in all mediums;

?The participating businesses and discounts will be maintained on the DTC website so that the program remains flexible, fluid and is easily updated;

?Discount Cards will be promoted to Downtown employees, students, residents, etc.

?Participating businesses are encouraged to share updates with card holders via the DTC e-updates and e-alerts.

?A placard to indicate participation will be made available to businesses in the program.

SIGNAGE/AWNING GRANT PROGRAM (new 2007)
The Downtown Council, in partnership with the St. Cloud HRA, offers downtown property owners and businesses sign and awning grants. The purpose of the grant program is to promote continued development through renovation, restoration and enhancements of commercial buildings within downtown St. Cloud.

Funds committed to the program for 2007 is $9,000. Approval and application of funds will be on a first-come first-serve basis. Applicants will be eligible for a 50% reimbursement with a cap of $1,000 per applicant. This is a matching grant. For more information about this program, call (320) 257-8600 or send an .

IMPROVEMENT LOAN PROGRAM
The Downtown Improvement Loan Program is a joint venture between local financial institutions, the St. Cloud Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA) and the Downtown Council. The purpose of the Loan Program is to make funds available for exterior façade improvements and interior leasehold improvements on Downtown properties within the target area. It is the intent of the Loan Program to encourage greater business activity in Downtown St. Cloud.

The Downtown Council will consider applications by any business or commercial property owner within the eligible area. Membership will be a requirement during the term of the loan.

Exterior Façade Improvements are exterior improvements that can be viewed from a public right-of-way, including signs, awnings, window repair, roofing, and storefront rehabilitation. Exterior façade projects will be evaluated in the context of their compatibility with the Downtown District Design Guidelines.

Interior Leasehold Improvements include flooring, wall and ceiling finishes, built-in cabinetry, ceiling light fixtures in lobbies and public areas. Removable items such as equipment or furnishings that are in private offices or other non-public areas of the building are not eligible.

There is a $200 fee, payable to the Downtown Council. Any individual or entity who receives this loan must maintain a membership in the Downtown Council for the term of the loan.

Applications for the Loan Program must be submitted to the Downtown Council prior to commencement of the project. No loan will be made until Part I has been approved. Applicants for Exterior Façade Improvements will also have Part I of their application evaluated for compatibility with the Downtown District Design Guidelines.

The target area includes all business and commercial properties lying within the following boundaries:

  • The Eastern Boundary is Lincoln Avenue (west side).
  • The Southern Boundary includes properties fronting the South side of Division Street between the Mississippi River and 9th Avenue.
  • The Western Boundary is property lying North of Division, East of Washington Memorial Drive, and from West St. Germain, East of Osseo Avenue.
  • The Northern Boundary is property that lies South of or fronting First Street North between Washington Memorial Drive and 11th Avenue North, and the Northerly boundary from 11th Avenue North to the West Bank of the Mississippi River, and property which lies South of or fronting 2nd St. N.

 

All loan proceeds must be disbursed within the same calendar year as the application. The maximum loan amount is $40,000; the cost of the loan is written down by 3% for the first 5 years of the loan. The maximum loan amount stated above shall be reduced by the principal balance owing from any loans under a prior year’s program. No individual or entity in which the individual has an ownership interest shall be eligible for more than one loan under the Loan Program. Request

CONVERSION LOAN PROGRAM (new 2007)
The Downtown Conversion Loan Program is funded by the St. Cloud HRA and administered by the Downtown Council. The purpose of this program is to assist in the renovation and improvement of the exterior and interior building, fire and ADA code compliance associated with a building redevelopment or change of use. By such assistance, the HRA and Downtown Council hope to improve the overall functionality, marketability and occupancy of buildings in the downtown, which will thus reflect positively on all businesses, governmental entities and others working and residing in the St. Cloud downtown area.

Program details: Maximum loan amount: $100,000 Term: 5 year term; fixed rate Buy down: 3% Boundary/Target Area: same as for the Improvement Loan Program Application fee: $300 Not required to be a DTC member for this loan

Participating Banks

Bremer Bank
MidCountry Bank
Liberty Savings
Minnwest Bank
Falcon National Bank

Northern Star Bank
Wells Fargo

FRANKLIN/LAMAR OUTDOOR ADVERTISING: Downtown Council members can participate in a special ad campaign October 2007 – September 2008. The cost to members if $500 per billboard (includes production). Call 257-8600 or Pegg to get more information or to sign up.

CHARTER’S SPECIAL OFFER TO DTC MEMBERS: Charter Media Services is offering special pricing for DTC Members. They can provide an opportunity to reach your targeted Greater St. Cloud Area consumers. By advertising your company’s message on Charter’s cable television and insertion networks, your company’s advertising message reaches all your potential consumer’s buying senses, through the effective use of SIGHT, SOUND AND MOTION, WHICH CREATES EMOTION. And we all know that consumers buy the most when they’re in a heightened emotional state. If interested, call (320) 251-4210, ext. 102.

VISITORS GUIDE DISCOUNT: Downtown Council members receive a special discounted ad rate in the St. Cloud Visitors Guide. Click HERE to order a copy.

ARTS & SPECIALTY BOOK: Stellar Associates offers a $25 discount to all Downtown Council members. For more information, contact Susan Dean at (320) 257-1526 or .

PREFERENTIAL PRICING: Downtown Council members receive preferential pricing to Downtown Council events such as the Annual Celebration, Golf Tournament, and Winter Nights & Lights Parade. Members also receive preferential pricing in directory listings on maps, kiosks, etc.

BECOME A MEMBER For more membership information or how you can become involved, call Pegg A.K. Gustafson, Executive Director at the DTC at (320) 257-8600 or email .

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