Today's Headlines

INTRODUCTION

Did you know St. Louis County Economic Council's Annual Meeting is just one month away? We look forward to seeing you September 1, 2010, as we review local recovery efforts and economic development and pay special tribute to U.S. Senator Kit Bond. Learn more and register online at www.slcec.com.

St. Louis County Economic Council is less than a month away from celebrating its 26th Annual Meeting. The signature event is a culmination of the year’s achievements that St. Louis County and the Economic Council diligently work toward every day.

There is no denying St. Louis County has much to commemorate. We have seen the completion of Interstate 64, the expansion of Highway 141, opening of River City Casino, and significant investment and job creation from Edward Jones, Express Scripts, Covidien, NARA, and Centene. Plus, the continued growth at the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center and completion of Bio-Research & Development Growth (BRDG) Park has established our footprint as a leader in the life science industry.

St. Louis County remains dedicated to its entrepreneurs and has made a strategic move to bolster the local economy through many efforts like the Economic Council's fixed-asset financing programs and development of the Business Plan Competition. Both set a foundation for future small business growth that will help the metro area weather future economic storms.

The County also is dedicated to creating new investment as well as identifying strategies to redevelop key properties. We are creating partnerships to improve Jamestown Mall and implement a redeployment strategy for the former Chrysler site in Fenton.

The Economic Council’s September 1, 2010, Annual Meeting is more than a celebration of the County’s success, it is recognition of our partnerships and an opportunity to showcase how the region benefits when we come together for the common good.

I hope you will join me to see the excitement that is taking shape in St. Louis County. I invite you to be a part of a strong partnership that makes St. Louis County the economic engine for the State of Missouri.

Charlie A. Dooley

St. Louis County Executive

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PLAN TO ATTEND THE ECONOMIC COUNCIL’S ANNUAL MEETING

St. Louis County Economic Council is gearing up for another successful Annual Meeting. We’ll review the local economic landscape and showcase the developments that are steadily growing our economy.

Planting the Seeds for Economic Growth is the theme for this year’s lunch meeting, which will be held 11:30 a.m., Wednesday, September 1, 2010, at The Ritz-Carlton in Clayton.

"It was easy to come up with a theme for this year’s annual meeting, because we believe that our efforts are the seeds that will help generate economic growth for years to come," said Nancy Schnoebelen, vice president of Marketing & Communications for the Economic Council. "We will showcase various programs and initiatives under way to support small and big business growth during these challenging economic times, and will acknowledge several business and civic leaders for their efforts."

Additionally, the luncheon will take on special meaning as St. Louis County Executive Charlie A. Dooley and the Economic Council pay tribute to retiring United States Senator Christopher “Kit” Bond.

"Senator Bond has been a tremendous asset to St. Louis County and the State of Missouri, "said Dooley. "In his many years in public service, he has demonstrated an unyielding willingness to reach across political and philosophical differences to help all Missourians. He has led a distinguished career, and we look forward to honoring him with a lifetime achievement award."

The Annual Meetings sell out quickly; visit our website to register and learn about sponsorship opportunities.

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COUNTY SEEKS PUBLIC INPUT FOR JAMESTOWN MALL

St. Louis County Executive Charlie A. Dooley and St. Louis County Economic Council hosted a public forum July 15, kicking off the next phase in redeveloping Jamestown Mall. Over the next eight months, the Economic Council has commissioned Dover Kohl & Partners, renowned town planners, to redevelop a master plan and feasibility study outlining what is economically viable at the mall site.

The regional mall, located in north St. Louis County, has experienced decline like many national malls and faces a number of other hardships including lack of population density, geographical constraints, changing market trends, and local competition.

Beginning September 9, you can share ideas with architects, city planners, economists, and marketing professionals as designers put the public’s suggestions to paper. Stop by the design studio throughout the week (September 10-12, 9am-7pm) to provide input as the plan evolves, and then return to see the work completed at an open house (September 11, 10:30am-12pm) and final work-in-progress presentation (Sept. 14, 6pm-8pm). All sessions will be held at St. Louis Community College at Florissant Valley in the student center.

"Creating a viable plan for Jamestown Mall is just like an old-fashion barn raising; it will take the entire community," said County Executive Dooley. "The opinions and insights of the surrounding communities, residents and businesses are essential to the future of the nearly 150-acre site."

Get involved, here's how:

  • Attend one of the design sessions and work directly with town planners.
  • Complete a survey and tell us what amenities you’d like to see.

Materials from the kick-off meeting:

For more information, visit www.slcec.com/jamestownmall.html.

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IEDC CHOOSES ST. LOUIS FOR ITS 2012 CONFERENCE

Denny Coleman, president & CEO of St. Louis County Economic Council and member of the executive board of the International Economic Development Council (IEDC), announced IEDC will host its 2012 Spring Conference in St. Louis.

"I am pleased and honored St. Louis was chosen as the host city for the 2012 event. It is a testament to the region and team who put together the submission package," said Coleman.

The Economic Council was joined by the City of St. Louis, St. Charles County, Ameren, Southwest Illinois Leadership Council, Missouri Partnership, the Missouri Department of Economic Development, Missouri Economic Development Council, City of Chesterfield, Regional Chamber and Growth Association (RCGA), and St. Louis Convention and Visitors Bureau in developing the submission. In addition, Richard Ward, a nationally recognized planning expert based in St. Louis and IEDC executive board member, served on the application team.

"The strength of our submission was evidenced in the strong public-private partnership of cities, states and a number of companies and organizations," Coleman added.

IEDC, the world's largest economic development membership organization, is dedicated to raising the profile of the economic development profession.

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EDA AWARDS GRANT TO ECONOMIC COUNCIL & DANFORTH CENTER

The Danforth Center will use a portion of the EDA grant to add needed greenhouses that will support research needs of the plant and life sciences.

United States Department of Commerce awarded St. Louis County Economic Council and Donald Danforth Plant Science Center a $4.6 million grant to expand plant and life sciences in St. Louis County. The Economic Council will develop a pre-feeder incubator, called the Helix Center, and the Danforth Center, which was allocated $2 million, will construct a new greenhouse.

"The St. Louis region has a strong niche in plant and life science research. This grant will assist both the Economic Council and Danforth Center in supporting and furthering research, innovation, technology, scientific jobs, and entrepreneurship opportunities, " said St. Louis County Executive Charlie A. Dooley.

The Economic Council will develop the Helix Center, a small business incubator for the plant and life sciences, with a portion of the EDA grant.

The greenhouse will support the research needs of the plant and life sciences at progressive stages from the earliest research to commercialization, the point at which innovation becomes concrete business technology. Technology products include the areas of crop stability, bio-fuels, bio-renewable products, and pharmaceuticals. The greenhouse will serve scientists at the Danforth Center, entrepreneurs and early-stage companies locating at the Helix Center as well as young, growth companies locating at BRDG Park.

"The badly needed greenhouse will provide additional critical infrastructure to advance the research not only at the Danforth Plant Science Center but also BRDG Park and the region's plant science hub," said Sam Fiorello, chief operating officer of the Danforth Center.

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RFQ ANNOUNCED FOR CHRYSLER SITE ADAPTIVE USE STUDY

Former Chrysler site in the City of Fenton. The 2.6 million-square-foot South Plant (pictured) produced Chrysler, Plymouth and Dodge minivans.

St. Louis County Economic Council, Missouri Department of Economic Development and the City of Fenton are seeking submittal of qualifications from firms to analyze and develop strategies for creating a multi-use commercial, industrial research park and/or renewable/alternative energy technology park on the site of the former Chrysler manufacturing plants in Fenton. The scope of services will include analysis and recommendations regarding business diversification and employment opportunities for businesses and workers in the St. Louis region that were significantly impacted by the closing of the Chrysler plants.

"St. Louis County has been hard at work researching and identifying emerging industries, resource-based clusters, and other economic drivers that compete beyond local, state and national boundaries that may be a good fit for the site. A green or alternative energy technology park may be the answer," said St. Louis County Executive Charlie A. Dooley. "The grant is helping the County, State and City further identify appropriate types of uses."

The United States Department of Commerce awarded a $1,575,000 Economic Adjustment and Planning Grant to research and develop a strategic plan to diversify the economy and create jobs for the greater St. Louis region on the 300-acre site.

Information about the RFQ can be obtained from St. Louis County Economic Council website.

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ST. LOUIS COUNTY HEADLINES

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