Today's Headlines

INTRODUCTION

It took two acts of Congress and the environmental cleanup of 120 acres to create River City Casino Boulevard.

As we have experienced another Thanksgiving, many throughout the world are gearing up for the next set of holiday celebrations – Christmas, Kwanzaa, Hanukkah, and New Years.

With families anticipating the joy of giving and opening presents, I am overjoyed that St. Louis County has experienced its own pre-holiday gift opening.

In early November, I was joined by key federal, state and local leaders to celebrate the opening of River City Casino Boulevard in the south St. Louis County community of Lemay. The road demonstrates what can be achieved when leadership, determination and vision work together to create economic development and good jobs for a region.

Another “gift” soon to be opened is the transformed Highway 40 with upgrades that will benefit the metropolitan area for decades to come. I know you will celebrate with me when the highway is reopened and the entire stretch of the major thoroughfare is completely upgraded.

It is through the diligent efforts of the Missouri Department of Transportation, City of St. Louis, St. Louis County, and the communities along the Highway 40 corridor, the project was completed ahead of schedule and under budget.

River City Casino and Highway 40 are just two examples of how St. Louis County and its partners have come together to create good paying jobs and stronger infrastructure for the region.

Charlie A. Dooley

St. Louis County Executive

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EXPRESS SCRIPTS PRESCRIBES EXPANSION AND NEW JOBS

Express Scripts, one of the nation’s largest pharmacy benefit managers and a leader in the health-care industry, has announced it will expand its operations in the region with a high-volume prescription fulfillment center.

The $74 million, 12-acre expansion sits in the NorthPark development and is part of the company’s headquarters complex located on the campus of the University of Missouri-St. Louis. This expansion is the company’s third new building since the construction of its new headquarters in 2007.

"This is a huge win for North County and our region, and we are extremely grateful Express Scripts chose to build this facility in St. Louis County over Bucks County in Pennsylvania," said St. Louis County Executive Charlie A. Dooley. "This strengthens our partnership for future growth with the company, but more importantly this expansion brings much-needed quality jobs. Additionally, Express Scripts presence at NorthPark will help to further attract additional investment to its 550-acre business park."

The high-volume fulfillment center will feature state-of-the-art pharmacy automation for the dispensing, packaging and shipment of 110,000 prescriptions per day. The construction of the building is under way and is scheduled for completion in April 2010.

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LOCAL LEADERS OPEN NEW RIVER CITY CASINO BOULEVARD

Ribbon cutting participants (left to right): Denny Coleman, Economic Council president & CEO; St. Louis County Council Chair Hazel Erby; Sheila Sweeney, chair, St. Louis County Economic Council; St. Louis County Executive Charlie A. Dooley; U.S. Congressman Russ Carnahan; Missouri State Representative Patricia Yeager; St. Louis County Councilman Steve Stenger; and Missouri State Representative Vicki Englund.

Marking the first of many celebrations, St. Louis County Executive Charlie A. Dooley was joined by local, state and federal leaders in cutting the ribbon on the new River City Casino Boulevard in Lemay.

The approximate mile-and-a-half mile road will provide access to jobs, goods and services critical for the successful redevelopment of neighboring areas and serve as the entry point to the region’s latest development, River City Casino. The $450 million entertainment complex is scheduled to open spring of 2010.

"This road is a prime example of what can happen when everyone comes together to create a long-term vision for a community," stated St. Louis County Executive Charlie A. Dooley. "I cannot extend my thanks enough to the leaders of the Lemay community, its state delegation and U.S. Congressman Russ Carnahan for their determination in making this project a reality."

Pinnacle Entertainment, owner and operator of River City Casino, paid $23.8 million for the road from Interstate 55 to the Mississippi River along River Des Peres. The project involved reconstruction of Carondelet Boulevard from I-55 to Lemay Ferry Road and construction of new roads and bridges from Lemay Ferry Road to the river.

"This project is the culmination of a lot of hard work and dedication by a number of people," said Denny Coleman, president and CEO of St. Louis County Economic Council . "Not the least of which, is the fact that it took two acts of Congress for us to acquire the road and begin its construction. Nevertheless, the results were well worth the efforts."

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NARA FACILITY TO BEGIN CONSTRUCTION, 800 JOBS RETAINED

The Molasky Group of Companies recently closed on the land purchase for one of St. Louis County most complex projects, a $100 million, high-performance records center for National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). The project will retain 800 jobs and is just months away from the start of construction with the first phase scheduled for completion by May 2011.

The National Personnel Records Center will be the largest national archives facility outside of the greater Washington, D.C. area with a central repository of personnel-related records for both military and civil service employees.

"There are many people who worked tirelessly on this extremely complicated and challenging transaction to ensure NARA and its approximate 800 jobs stay in St. Louis County," said St. Louis County Executive Charlie A. Dooley. "I am very grateful to U.S. Senator Kit Bond, Governor Jay Nixon and U.S. Congressman Lacy Clay for their long-term support to make this happen."

The majority of NARA operations will relocate from the Federal Records Center at 9700 Page Avenue to the new building, which will be located on land previously owned by North County automotive dealer Johnny Londoff. Other local NARA facilities also will move to the facility.

"We are thrilled that construction of this building will soon be under way," said GSA Acting Regional Administrator Michael Brincks. "The cooperation and support of St. Louis County, the State of Missouri and congressional delegation have helped us overcome tough economic times and put a great project back on track."

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MIDWEST-CHINA TRADE HUB RECEIVES STATE AND FEDERAL ASSISTANCE

Missouri Governor Jay Nixon has announced the state will provide $1.1 million in community block grant monies to help support the Midwest-China Hub Commission’s "Big Idea." The funding will help position the St. Louis region to become China’s primary gateway into the American Heartland through the establishment of an air cargo hub.

"We appreciate Governor Nixon’s support in this vital endeavor," said Denny Coleman, president and CEO of St. Louis County Economic Council . "Clearly, the governor sees this as a strong investment that could benefit the state for many years to come."

The funds will be used to offset costs in the creation of a study to demonstrate the validity of the cargo hub and hire an industry expert to develop the study.

Local officials received word that United States Senator Kit Bond also has included $500,000 for the Midwest-China Hub Commission in a pending federal appropriates bill.

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INTERSTATE 64 SET TO OPEN

Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) announced that all lanes of the new Interstate 64 will reopen Monday, December 7.

In delivering the good news, MoDOT Director Pete Rahn stated, "Many people said this major project could not be completed within the time and budget allotted. We are opening I-64 a month ahead of schedule and $11 million under budget."

St. Louis County Executive Charlie A. Dooley praised MoDOT and the project’s contractor, Gateway Constructors, for bringing in the project ahead of schedule and under budget.

"We couldn’t be more pleased with the effort and results," Dooley said. "The improvements to I-64 will have lasting benefits for both residents and industries."

Officials announced they will open the highway from 12-4 p.m., Sunday, December 6 between Hanley Road and Kingshighway for the public to walk and bike. An official ribbon-cutting ceremony will occur the following day.

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ST. LOUIS COUNTY HEADLINES

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