Money troubles to close St. Cloud Somali center

ST. CLOUD (AP) -- A St. Cloud community center for Somalis that houses the town's only mosque is closing down because of money trouble.

The Family Food Market and community center opened last September. It houses a 1,200-square-foot mosque, market and cafe.

Six months ago the center was the target of racist graffiti and a fire that investigators believe was arson. Geneva Cole of the nonprofit St. Cloud Area Somali Salvation Organization said the vandalism was a distraction for the owners, but that's not why they're shutting down.

She said the owners invested about $150,000, but could not get the additional money they needed to keep the center running. Her organization hopes to raise enough money to reopen the mosque.

The group estimates that about 3,700 Somalis live in St. Cloud.