Today's Headlines
- INTRODUCTION
- BUSINESS PLAN COMPETITION NARROWS TO 30 SEMI-FINALISTS
- FIRST CLASS EARNS CERTIFICATE IN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
- MISSOURI TRADE INITIATIVE SUPPORTS SMALL BUSINESS
- BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT FUND ADDS 28TH SHAREHOLDER
- ST. LOUIS COUNTY HEADLINES
INTRODUCTION
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In early March, the Lemay community celebrated the opening of Pinnacle Entertainment’s River City Casino and Entertainment Complex, which will serve as an anchor of revitalization in south St. Louis County. During its grand opening, thousands of people visited the casino, taking in the opulent décor, enjoying the tasty restaurants and engaging in the entertainment options.
River City is more than just an entertainment center; it is a $400 million investment in the region, bringing with it much-needed jobs and encouraging additional economic development. Already, it employs 1,200 people and has plans to continue growing.
Prior to its redevelopment, the former 80-acre National Lead site was an environmentally contaminated property, truly an eyesore and liability. Through the cooperation of local, state and federal entities and two acts of Congress this extremely complex project will generate jobs and tax revenue for years to come.
St. Louis County recognizes the importance of working together and embraces collaboration with public and private entities to create jobs and new investment. As the economic engine of the State of Missouri, we have a proven track record of working with all industry sectors, helping businesses to grow, locate and thrive in St. Louis County, and we welcome the opportunity to assist your business growth needs—big or small.
Charlie A. Dooley
St. Louis County Executive
BUSINESS PLAN COMPETITION NARROWS TO 30 SEMI-FINALISTS
Thirty entrepreneurs will compete in the semi-final round of the 2010 St. Louis Regional Business Plan Competition presented by St. Louis County Economic Council and sponsored by Edward Jones. Judges provided by Innovate Venture Mentoring Service and the Service Core of Retired Executives (SCORE) evaluated 226 applications, advancing the top applicants to the next round.
"This was a tough job. We received a number of high-caliber applications with innovative ideas and concepts ranging anywhere from culinary to wellness, technology to life sciences," said Rick Palank, senior vice president of the Economic Council.
In the semi-finals, entrepreneurs submit their entire business plan, which will be judged by Innovate VMS based on each plan’s innovation, feasibility, funding, growth potential, quality of product or service, adaptation to change, strength of management team, and internal organization.
Six plans will qualify for the final round, where entrepreneurs will make a presentation to five finalist judges made up of local business leaders including St. Louis Small Business Monthly Publisher Ron Ameln, Talisen Technologies President George Brill, Capital for Business Managing Partner Steve Broun, Rubin Brown Chairman Jim Castellano, and Regions Bank Area President, Upper Midwest Sally Roth.
"We are very pleased that so many strong entrepreneurial ideas have originated in the St. Louis region and wish all who entered the contest success in their ventures," said St. Louis County Executive Charlie A. Dooley. "We also are honored to have such an esteemed panel of judges who have volunteered their time and expertise to select the region’s top business plans."
First, second and third place winners will be announced June 1, 2010 and awarded $50,000, $30,000 and $20,000 respectively. In addition, in-kind professional mentoring, marketing, legal, and accounting services will be presented to each winner.
FIRST CLASS EARNS CERTIFICATE IN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Nearly twenty-five individuals participated in the Certificate Program in Economic Development and recently were honored as the first "graduating" class. The program was developed and sponsored by St. Louis County Economic Council, Saint Louis University and the Urban Land Institute-St. Louis District Council.
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Pictured: St. Louis County Executive Charlie A. Dooley; Jerry Crylen, chairman of Urban Land Institute and senior vice president of Gundaker Commercial; Charles Stewart, certificate program graduate and treasurer, St. Louis Community Empowerment Foundation; Rodney Crim, chairman-elect, Urban Land Institute and executive director, St. Louis Development Corporation; John Watzke, dean, College of Education and Public Service, Saint Louis University. |
"We are very pleased with the results of the first class," stated Economic Council President & CEO Denny Coleman." Organizations throughout the country are reviewing this certificate program and potentially creating one of their own. "
Bob Cropf, chairman of public policy at Saint Louis University, stated the strength of the class came from its diverse nature. "We had council members, staff, interested citizens, and members of the real estate profession attending the program," said Cropf. "More importantly, the course attracted representation from St. Louis County, City of St. Louis and Metro East. "
Jerry Crylen, chair of the Urban Land Institute-St. Louis District Council also recognized the program as a success. "Our goal was to bring in key players in the field of economic development to not only assist the local communities on the important aspects of development, but also gain a new appreciation of what the communities are experiencing," said Crylen. "I’m confident both the instructors and class members benefited from the program."
"Based on the success of the first class and number of inquiries, we anticipate a significant increase in class size this fall," said Coleman.
MISSOURI TRADE INITIATIVE SUPPORTS SMALL BUSINESS
United States Senator Christopher "Kit" Bond and World Trade Center Saint Louis have invited 90 businesses to participate in the Missouri Trade Initiative (MTI). MTI brings together private sector and federal, state and local government resources to develop an international expansion plan that will serve as a one-stop shop to achieve success in global exports.
"This program is an important component of the county’s overall efforts to support the growth of small- to medium-sized companies and provides Missouri businesses with an export road map to increase their global sales," said St. Louis County Executive Charlie A. Dooley.
Organizations supporting MTI include Commerce Bank; Export-Import Bank of the U.S.; FedEx; Armstrong Teasdale, LLP; Missouri Department of Economic Development; Missouri Enterprise; Springfield Chamber of Commerce; U.S. Commercial Service; U.S. Small Business Administration; and World Trade Center Saint Louis.
"This initiative provides area small businesses with an unprecedented level of support and resources to identify new international markets and buyers for their products," said Tim Nowak, executive director of World Trade Center Saint Louis. "Creating a public-private partnership like this is a terrific approach to assisting companies and therefore increasing the state’s export potential."
Click here for additional information including a brochure and sample invitation letter from Sen. Bond.
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT FUND ADDS 28TH SHAREHOLDER
Rick Palank, senior vice president of Business Finance announced that Saint Louis Business Development Fund (SLBDF) has welcomed BancorpSouth Bank as the company's newest shareholder. BancorpSouth joins 27 other St. Louis area banks, St. Louis County Economic Council, St. Louis Development Corporation, and the Economic Development Center of St. Charles County.
"With our community and entrepreneurial banking philosophy, we know that joining the Business Development Fund is an added resource and benefit to our customers," said Patrick Bowen, senior vice president of BancorpSouth. "Through this new partnership, we are strengthening our resolve to build better communities and quality of life in St. Louis."
SLBDF and Saint Louis Private Fund invest in selected, growing companies in Missouri and Illinois that demonstrate significant potential for success and view the Funds' investment as an attractive alternative to venture capital or other forms of equity investments.
ST. LOUIS COUNTY HEADLINES
- Flush with Cash, Berkeley to Start Work on New City Hall, Fire Station - St. Louis Post-Dispatch
- Hazelwood Board Chooses New District Superintendent - Suburban Journals
- STLCC Presents New Podcast Series for Job Seekers - Suburban Journals
- Kirkwood: Communicating with Citizens Goes Hi-Tech - Webster-Kirkwood Times
- Old Gravois Bridge Comes Down - South County Times
- St. Luke’s Makes List of Best Hospitals - Suburban Journals
