throughout the year for various events, tournaments, and games, contributing to the local economy. The redevelopment of the former paper mill site holds the potential to be a significant catalyst for creating additional destination spots, potentially including hotels, restaurants, and trails, which would further enhance Sartell’s attractiveness to visitors. Annual events like Summerfest also significantly affect Sartell’s community life. The festival, held every second weekend in June, has been a tradition for many years. It features parades, local businesses, youth associations, marching bands, and other attractions along the scenic River Road, which overlooks the river and the mill site. Summerfest is a highly anticipated event that brings together the community and highlights the vibrant spirit of Sartell. Country Lights Festival is another gem that calls Sartell home. The whole month of December the Sartell Community Center is lit up with holiday lights and family activities. It is truly a community event with a lot of time, effort, and energy put into it by many volunteers. BUSINESS GROWTH AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Sartell has recently experienced notable growth in small and large businesses. While not technically within Sartell’s jurisdiction, CentraCare, the regional healthcare organization across the road, has significantly impacted the community. CentraCare’s partnership with the University of Minnesota will open a medical school in 2025 to educate doctors in a more rural setting, encouraging them to practice in similar environments.The initiative is expected to boost the growth of ancillary medical services and complementary businesses within Sartell, enhancing the local economy and community healthcare options. The med-tech industry has seen the most substantial growth in Sartell, with central healthcare facilities and related services such as orthopedic clinics and podiatry offices expanding significantly. The growth has been driven by CentraCare’s influence and Sartell’s strategic location, just north of St. Cloud. 8 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 05, ISSUE 07
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