Today's Headlines
- INTRODUCTION
- ECONOMIC COUNCIL CHAIR SHARES BIRD'S EYE VIEW
- COLEMAN HIGHLIGHTS ST. LOUIS COUNTY GROWTH
- RETIRING U.S. SENATOR KIT BOND HONORED
- AWARD WINNERS ANNOUNCED AT ANNUAL MEETING
- ST. LOUIS COUNTY HEADLINES
INTRODUCTION
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On September 1, I was pleased to welcome another record crowd to St. Louis County Economic Council's Annual Meeting. With over 850 guests, it was by far the most well attended event the organization has ever hosted.
During the event, I elaborated on many of the year's successes, significant investments and employment growth within St. Louis County. For example, Express Scripts' latest expansion has created 300 high-paying jobs and further solidifies the value of the NorthPark development. Edward Jones' continued growth has generated an investment of $325 million with the commitment to adding 1,000 quality jobs over five years. The retention of the National Archives and Records Administration's (NARA) National Personnel Records Center is also a big win for the region, retaining 800 jobs.
And no list of economic development in the County is complete without River City Casino. In addition to returning a blighted site to a productive community asset, the revenue generated from River City is already being reinvested in Lemay. The day after the annual meeting, St. Louis County Port Authority awarded $1.7 million in grants to organizations in Lemay.
As you can see, we have experienced a number of victories in both jobs and investment over the past year, but we also are preparing for growth as we take significant strides to strenghten ties with China for a Midwest cargo hub, and continue to bolster our plant and life science sector.
St. Louis County has not been immune to the recent recession. We're working on economic development initiatives and programs in every corner of the County. I look forward to next year and reporting on the countless successes we will experience as a result of the seeds we are now planting.
Charlie A. Dooley
St. Louis County Executive
ECONOMIC COUNCIL CHAIR SHARES BIRD'S EYE VIEW
Sheila Sweeney, chair of St. Louis County Economic Council's board of directors, provided the annual meeting's sold-out crowd with a bird's eye view of the activities that have helped shape the region over the past year. She emphasized the magnitude of these economic developments and the jobs that they bring.
Sweeney also thanked the many sponsors for their contributions and recognized the leaders of each of the boards affiliated with the Economic Council.
"I would especially like to thank the Economic Council's many generous sponsors and those who volunteer their time," said Sweeney. "The support from our business community makes our special initiatives and programs possible."
Sweeney noted that despite the worst recession in our lifetime, St. Louis County has assisted companies of all sizes in creating and retaining thousands of jobs and millions of dollars in investment.
"St. Louis County is and always will be a great place for business with an excellent quality of life," she said.
COLEMAN HIGHLIGHTS ST. LOUIS COUNTY GROWTH
St. Louis County Economic Council President & CEO Denny Coleman reviewed the year's significant investments and job creation at the Economic Council's signature event. He incorporated this year's theme, "Planting the Seeds for Economic Growth," by highlighting the projects and initiatives that are growing the local economy.
Coleman highlighted a number of innovative programs that demonstrate the organization's broad impact, such as a business plan competition, new incubator for plant and life sciences, fixed-asset financing, and an economic development course.
"It is encouraging to report that even during these difficult economic times, St. Louis County has seen solid business activity and investment, which have helped stabilize and even grow our economy," said Coleman. "In addition, the County has retained its AAA bond rating despite perilous fiscal times for state and local govenments."
Coleman acknowledged the leadership of St. Louis County Executive Charlie A. Dooley and Economic Council Board Chair Sheila Sweeney for their commitment to creating jobs and investment in the County. He also attributed the County's success to its attractive business climate, strong partnerships and the resilience of its people, and reiterated that the Economic Council remains committed to the County Executive’s vision to maintain St. Louis County as Missouri’s economic engine.
RETIRING U.S. SENATOR KIT BOND HONORED
The Economic Council’s 26th Annual Meeting featured a special tribute to retiring United States Senator Christopher “Kit” Bond for his over 40 years of public service to the St. Louis region and State of Missouri. He was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award in appreciation of his dedication and commitment along with his bi-partisan support of economic development.
"Senator Bond is a true example of what public service is," said St. Louis County Executive Charlie A. Dooley. "I've had the privilege of working on many projects with Senator Bond, and I can say nobody has worked as hard as he has to bring jobs and an excellent quality of life to Missourians."
As an added honor, Dooley proclaimed September 1, 2010 as Senator Christopher “Kit” Bond Day in St. Louis County.
AWARD WINNERS ANNOUNCED AT ANNUAL MEETING
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Amy Kuzdowicz (second from left), vice president and controller for Panera Bread, accepts the Business Expansion Award. Pictured with Sheila Sweeney, County Executive Dooley and Denny Coleman. |
Each year, St. Louis County Economic Council recognizes a distinguished group of organizations and business leaders with awards for their economic impact on St. Louis County.
Business Expansion Award
The Business Expansion Award, presented to a company that has demonstrated a strong commitment to St. Louis County, went to Panera Bread. Panera, the popular bakery-café chain will consolidate all of its corporate offices into its new Sunset Hills headquarters by the end of the year. The 90,000-square-foot facility brings all 300 employees together and makes room for the company’s growth plans. Panera employs over 600 associates in the greater St. Louis area and expects to double that number by December.
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Community Partnership Award
The Community Partnership Award was presented to the General Services Administration (GSA), National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) and The Molasky Group of Companies for their commitment to working together to achieve succesful results. The three organizations worked tirelessly on the new $100 million, high-performance facility for NARA's National Personnel Records Center, which is scheduled for completion by June 2011. The center will be the largest national archives facility outside of the greater Washington, D.C. area, and will be responsible for over one million record requests annually.
Recipients include: Chuck Moody, senior vice president of public properties for The Molasky Group of Companies; Bryan McGraw, assistant director for National Archives and Records Administration's Archival Program; and Eric Gibbs, lease contracting officer for General Services Administration's Real Estate Acquisition Division.
Buzz Westfall Regional Cooperation Award
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Named in memory of St. Louis County’s late county executive, the Buzz Westfall Regional Cooperation Award is presented to an organization with a critical role in economic development. This year’s award winner was Metro. In April, Proposition A was passed overwhelmingly by voters. The initiative is expected to raise $75 million a year and will add 125 jobs and provide new revenue to restore, improve and expand transit services throughout St. Louis County.
County Executive Dooley presents Metro President and CEO Bob Baer with the Regional Cooperation Award.
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Outstanding Entrepreneur Award
The Outstanding Entrepreneur Award recognizes a small business owner who exhibits strong growth, innovation and job creation. Patrick Leinert of Leinco Technologies Inc., has established the company as a premier provider of custom research and protein manufacturing services. Its innovative products and services are used to augment the early discovery process in life science research, biotechnology, diagnostics and groundbreaking pharmaceutical research.
Patrick Leinert, president and CEO of Leinco Technologies.
Dr. William D. Phillips Technology Advancement Award
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Sheila Sweeney, Derek Rapp, CEO of Divergence, County Executive Charlie A. Dooley, and Denny Coleman. |
This award honors Dr. Phillips, the Washington University professor whom President George H.W. Bush named national chair of the dual-use critical technologies commission and who helped the Economic Council establish its technology task force. Recognized for its leadership in the advancement tof he field was Divergence, Inc. The company is an industry leader in the discovery of effective and ecologically sound strategies for the control of parasites in agriculture and is a tenant in BRDG Park.
ST. LOUIS COUNTY HEADLINES
- Metro Picks Nations as New Transit Chief – St. Louis Post-Dispatch
- Phycal Wins $24.2M for Algae Fuel Research – St. Louis Business Journal
- New Program to Keep Missouri Jobless Informed – St. Louis Post-Dispatch
- Affton Chamber Backs Grant’s Farm National Park – St. Louis Business Journal
- Ladue District Breaks Ground for Early Childhood Center in Creve Coeur – Suburban Journals
- Save-A-Lot to Open Pagedale Grocery – St. Louis Business Journal
