Publication Title

St. Cloud Live

St. Cloud Area Quarterly Business Report, Vol. 27, No. 1

Authors

King Banaian, St Cloud State UniversityFollow
Mana Komai Molle, St Cloud State UniversityFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

4-2025

Abstract

The latest St. Cloud Quarterly Business Survey found local business leaders reporting mixed current business conditions with 27% seeing decreased activity while 23% saw increased activity, but future outlook is optimistic with 60% expecting growth by June 2025. The diffusion index for "difficulty attracting qualified workers" index turned negative for the first time since Q2 2020, which historically has coincided with recessions. Automation is increasing in local businesses, with 31% implementing it to boost productivity, 16% to improve product quality, and 13% through AI implementation. Interest rates are affecting business plans for 2025, with 37% expecting to reduce capital investments and 25% planning to decrease hiring, while 53% of businesses still expect improved profit margins in 2025 despite concerns about tariffs.

Comments

Quarter 1 of 2025

Recommended Citation

Banaian, King and Komai Molle, Mana, "St. Cloud Area Quarterly Business Report, Vol. 27, No. 1" (2025). St. Cloud Area Quarterly Business Report. 106.
https://repository.stcloudstate.edu/scqbr/106