ST. CLOUD -- Two St. Cloud area companies and two area non-profit organizations will receive the Innovation Award.

GNP Company is being awarded for its purified water system pilot project. The system improves the treated water quality in Cold Spring by using ultra-filtration technologies. If this system is adopted for long-term use it could allow GNP to reuse water up to five times, this could reduce their groundwater withdrawals by 80 percent. Meaning the company would use less local water resources.

Rollga will also receive the Innovation Award for developing their foam roller. The roller is designed to relieve muscle and point pain as well as stiffness and lack of mobility. The roller is sold in eight counties including the United States.

Two non-profit organizations will also be awarded, Operation Baby New Year and The St. Cloud Youth Leadership Academy. 

Operation Baby New Year is being recognized for raising thousands of dollars worth of diapers and other items for families in need.

St. Cloud Youth Leadership Academy will awarded for it's youth intervention initiative. The program has 10 St. Cloud police officers work closely with 20 at risk boys between 13-years-old and 16-years-old. The program begins with a week long camp after that it continues with a series of regular meetings. The goal of the initiative is build relationships and mentor youth.

Each organization will be awarded $1,000 on Thursday, at the Innovation Summit, by the Greater St. Cloud Development Corporation.

The Innovation Summit will be hosted at River's Edge Convention Center.

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