GREATER Connections

Interstate/Highways

St. Cloud has a well-developed local roadway network with access to I-94, U.S. Hwy. 10, and MN Highways 15 and 23, to accommodate regional shipping and travel to Minneapolis (60 miles) and North Dakota (160 miles). Therefore, opening transit within Central Minnesota as well. 

St. Cloud Regional Airport

In 1970, the St. Cloud Regional Airport was opened three miles east of downtown St. Cloud. Today, the publicly operated airport services private and commercial air markets. Allegiant Air offers seasonal routes to Phoenix, AZ, and Ft. Myers, FL.

St. Cloud Aviation is a full-service, Fix Based Operator at St. Cloud Regional Airport, providing general flight line services, avionics repair, maintenance, and parts to the general aviation community, as well as flight training and aircraft rental.

Freight Rail

St. Cloud’s historical growth is aligned with the rail lines that once transported ore from the city's many quarries. Today, BNSF Railway and Northern Lines Railway operate active rail lines in St. Cloud, many of which carry local ore, as well as Bakken crude oil, from North Dakota.

Passenger Rail

The Amtrak Empire Builder Line runs from the Pacific Northwest to Chicago, stopping at the historic St. Cloud Amtrak station on the City's east side. Future rail service from St. Cloud to Minneapolis may occur through the extension of the Northstar Commuter Rail Line, by expanding service to St. Cloud from its current terminus at Big Lake.

Public Transportation

St. Cloud has a robust and award-winning public transportation system operated by the St. Cloud Metropolitan Transit Commission (Metro Bus). With 17 year-round fixed route bus lines, Metro Bus serves 2 million riders annually in the greater St. Cloud area. It also operates routes specifically serving St. Cloud State University student and faculty transit riders.

The Northstar Link is a commuter bus line providing express bus service from St. Cloud to Big Lake, where commuters can transfer to the Northstar Commuter Rail to reach Minneapolis.

Jefferson Lines, a private charter bus company, offers interstate travel from St. Cloud to areas throughout the Midwest and south to Texas.

Located in the heart of the Midwest, St. Cloud offers businesses ample access to resources. Companies across numerous industrial segments have direct access to a labor force exceeding 114,000 individuals, and several notable Midwest markets within a 500-mile radius.  

• Minneapolis, MN - 60 miles 
• Duluth, MN - 115 miles 
• Rochester, MN - 140 miles 
• Fargo, ND - 160 miles 
• Sioux Falls, SD - 220 miles 
• Milwaukee, WI - 400 miles
• Chicago, IL - 470 miles

Widespread broadband availability is one facet that led to St. Cloud’s reference as "Minnesota's Silicon Prairie" nearly ten years ago. Today, downtown has more than a dozen high-tech businesses within five blocks. The ACS and the Federal Communication Commission’s Fixed and Mobile Broadband maps indicate St. Cloud exceeds national standards, with 100% of its population living in areas with at least three internet providers, with at least 25 Mbps. Private carriers provide St. Cloud’s gas and electricity. Xcel Energy supplies gas and electricity, and Stearns Electric Association and East Central Energy provide electricity.

Public water, wastewater, and stormwater utilities are operated by the City of St. Cloud Public Services Section. Current rates can be found here. 

Water

St. Cloud's drinking water is sourced from the Mississippi River and processed at the St. Cloud Water Treatment Facility in Hester Park, which has the capacity to treat 16 million gallons of water per day.

Wastewater

St. Cloud wastewater is treated at the award-winning St. Cloud Nutrient, Energy, and Water (NEW) Recovery Facility. Designed to treat 13 million gallons of residential and industrial wastewater per day at its location at the city's far south side, it serves the communities of St. Cloud, St. Augusta, St. Joseph, Sartell, Sauk Rapids, and Waite Park. In 2022, St. Cloud was awarded a $1.09 million grant for development and installation of renewable natural gas and green hydrogen demonstration projects at the facility.

Stormwater

The St. Cloud stormwater management system includes 210 miles of pipes, 8,000 catch basins, 200 outfalls, 150 treatment ponds, and 100 infiltration treatment practices.  The city follows an 18-goal Stormwater Management Plan to manage the quantity, volume, and quality of stormwater released into the Sauk River, Mississippi River, and area wetlands.