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■ HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE ON THE REGIONAL ECONOMY (CONT'D) <br />Education: Central Lakes College was founded in <br />1995 through the merger between Brainerd Com- <br />munity College and the Brainerd and Staples <br />Technical Schools. The school offers a broad <br />two -year program as <br />well as selected four - <br />year degrees. <br />Manufacturing. • Throughout the 20th century diverse manufacturing operations have located in the region <br />including paper and wood products, furniture, plastics, electronics, machinery and metal fabrication. <br />Back office and Technical /Prvfe sional Services: <br />These segments have expanded in the region <br />over the last 20 years. A major employer is <br />Ascensus that provides support to retire- <br />ment plan service providers. <br />Regional Retaik The Baxter area along the SR 371 corridor has become a regional shopping destination, <br />displacing St. Cloud located 50 miles to the south. This has occurred primarily in the last ten years as the <br />year -round population has escalated. <br />3 ` <br />i� <br />Brainerd Lakes Area Development Corporation ■ SWOT Analysis and Action Plan <br />io <br />'IN <br />