Welcome to the Saint Cloud Area Planning Organization's website. Our objective is to provide necessary information for making decisions on when, where and what type of improvements should be made to the transportation system to satisfy current anticipated travel demands while promoting land development patterns that are consistent with community goals and objectives.
"As an advisory body, we are committed to coordinated long range planning, in a fair and mutually beneficial manner, on select issues transcending jurisdictional boundaries, for the betterment of the entire Saint Cloud Metropolitan Area."
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2010 CENSUS
The St. Cloud Area 2010 Census Complete Count Committee is preparing for the final push toward Census Day - April 1, 2010 - and distribution of the census forms in March. The complete count committee has developed a series of actions to inform the general public and hard-to-reach populations of the importance, safety, and simplicity of the upcoming census process.
The support and active participation of local elected and appointed officials is essential to achieving the most accurate count possible for the area. Given the importance of census data in providing funding for our communities and their utilization in our planning/marketing/economic development activities, I would ask for your support in spreading the word.
The following resources are available to assist you or other community organizations you are involved in or aware of in promoting the 2010 Census:
1. The St. Cloud 2010 Census Complete Count Committee has a wide variety of 2010 Census promotional materials for your upcoming meetings and events, including: posters, brochures, stress balls, pens, markers, and more.
2. A member of the St. Cloud 2010 Census Complete Count Committee would also be available to speak at your upcoming meetings and events. In addition, we can coordinate with representatives of the US Census Bureau or State of Minnesota Demographer's Office to speak at these events.
Your assistance in promoting the 2010 Census is greatly appreciated. The St. Cloud Planning Office is serving as the coordinator for the St. Cloud Area Complete Count Committee and can be reached at 255-7218.
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Beginning November 16, 2009, the Northstar Link Commuter Bus will provide commuters with an alternative to traffic congestion, parking issues, and the stress that comes with commuting to the Cities each day.
Northstar Link will provide bus service from East St. Cloud direct to the Northstar Commuter Rail Line station in Big Lake. From there, commuters can ride the rail from Big Lake to downtown Minneapolis - one of the fastest growing transportation corridors in Minnesota. As part of the state’s first commuter rail line, the Northstar Link and the Northstar Commuter Rail Line will provide a fast, reliable and safe alternative to your workday commute.
For more information on Catch The Link - www.catchthelink.com
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ROUNDABOUTS
In an effort to find appropriate ways to reduce traffic congestion and improve safety and mobility, many cities in the St. Cloud Metropolitan Area have begun considering the use of "roundabouts."
Roundabouts are used to reduce accidents, traffic delays, fuel consumption, air pollution and constructions costs, while increasing capacity and intersections beauty. They have been successfully used to control traffic speeds in residential neighborhoods and are accepted as one of the safest types of intersection design.
For more information on roundabouts - www.dot.state.mn.us/roundabouts/