ST. CLOUD TIMES — The St. Cloud area economic outlook is clouded by the uncertain impact of the spread of COVID-19 on the local economy.
While traditional data measures suggest overall economic fundamentals in the region remain solid, there is considerable risk of plunging into significant negative territory over the duration of the coronavirus crisis.
Much of the data analyzed in this report are from January (which is the most recently available labor market data from the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development) and survey results were collected from February 20-March 13, before Gov. Walz’s order to close restaurants, theaters and other leisure and hospitality businesses, so the impact of the coronavirus on the St. Cloud Area Quarterly Business Report is limited.
Read more: Coronavirus dominates area economic outlook
