St. Cloud, Minnesota – At the Republican midterm convention in Dallas, Vice President JD Vance urged American businesses to hire American workers and bring manufacturing back to U.S. soil. Residents of St. Cloud, a city of about 80,000, say that message hits close to home.
Local signs of both struggle and hope
Downtown St. Cloud still boasts several thriving restaurants that draw lunch crowds on weekdays, and volunteers have been seen painting planters that line the sidewalks – a clear sign of civic pride. Yet almost half of the commercial space downtown sits empty, and foot traffic remains insufficient to sustain a larger retail base.
Rob, a longtime resident in his 40s who attended the nearby university in the early 2000s, recalled, “Back then downtown was packed every night, you could barely move. I don’t think it’s ever getting back to that.” When asked about the city’s current trajectory, he described it as “better these days, better since COVID, but it’s kind of plateaued.”
Janice, a real‑estate professional who has lived in St. Cloud since the 1990s, pointed to the 2018 closure of the historic Herberger’s department store as a turning point. “It’s a huge hole, right in the heart of downtown, and there isn’t anything to fill it,” she said.
New businesses signal a possible rebound
In March 2025, shortly after President Trump’s inauguration, Chad O’Brien opened a vintage store on the main street. The shop has since expanded to a second location on the same block, and O’Brien believes the downtown environment is a good fit for his business model. “More people living in the area would certainly help,” he told Fox News Digital.
Local observers suggest that a single large manufacturing plant with 1,500 jobs, combined with a mid‑size tech firm hiring 300‑500 workers, could revitalize the housing market and bring new life to the downtown eateries and bars.
Immigration concerns and community dialogue
The city’s growing Somali immigrant community has become a focal point of discussion. Some residents, like Lynn who works in the beauty industry, expressed frustration over alleged fraud involving government‑subsidized housing. Others, such as Trey, a sales manager in his late 20s, noted cultural tensions, saying, “He’s worried that their kids are becoming too Americanized and losing their roots.”
Conversely, a gentleman in his 60s argued that opposition to Somali immigrants is rooted in racism, stating, “There is no downside to these immigrants, it is all upside and the only reason to be against it is racism.” While opinions differ, the consensus is that integration and economic participation are essential for downtown revitalization.
Why Vance’s message matters for St. Cloud
Vance’s emphasis on reshoring aligns with the needs of small towns that have lost factories and retail anchors. By rewarding firms that keep production in America, the federal administration hopes to create the kind of stable, well‑paid jobs that can sustain families and support local businesses.
For St. Cloud, the prospect of new manufacturing jobs offers a concrete path to filling vacant storefronts, increasing tax revenue, and attracting younger workers who can live within walking distance of downtown amenities.
Looking ahead
As the midterm election season approaches, local leaders and business owners will be watching how federal policies on reshoring and immigration enforcement are implemented. The hope is that concrete action, rather than rhetoric alone, will turn the city’s plateau into an upward trajectory.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
