Today's Headlines

INTRODUCTION

Watch St. Louis County Economic Council's Annual Meeting online. Tune into HEC-TV.org 9 p.m. on Fridays to see the program in its entirety.

Today more than ever, economic development is a team effort among the public-private sector in bringing investments and jobs to a region. Businesses and governments invest in these partnerships, because they believe their investment will increase economic productivity and result in overall economic prosperity—a win-win for both.

St. Louis County understands the importance of partnerships and has developed many strong relationships in the private and public sectors. A recent example is the County’s partnerships with the cities of Black Jack and Florissant and the entire community of North County in the redevelopment of Jamestown Mall.

The Economic Council commissioned Dover Kohl & Partners to develop a master plan and feasibility study engaging and listening to the public every step of the way. Businesses and the community worked together to outline ways to improve the Jamestown Mall property.

It is this same collaborative approach that has fostered other successes in St. Louis County. Projects ranging from the Midwest-China Hub to the Regional Business Plan Competition are positively impacting and creating economic development opportunities.

As the economic engine of the state and region, St. Louis County continues to work collaboratively with many entities to maintain this premier status. It is our objective to continue forming viable partnerships that create a healthy business climate for growth and investment, making the County stronger and an even more attractive place to do business and to live.

Charlie A. Dooley

St. Louis County Executive

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DOOLEY, SLAY SIGN JOINT LETTER OF SUPPORT TO EXPAND FOREIGN-TRADE ZONE

St. Louis County Executive Charlie A. Dooley and Mayor Francis Slay signed a letter of support as part of their joint effort to restructure the Foreign-Trade Zone (FTZ) under the Alternate Site Framework (ASF). This new FTZ option, which streamlines the Department of Commerce's application process, can potentially reduce the processing time from 12 months to one month.

"The expansion of the Foreign-Trade Zone provides the region a real advantage as we continue to work together to develop future job growth through increased economic activity with China and other countries," said Dooley. "When approved, this expansion will create jobs and investment and give our region a stronger presence in the global marketplace."

The St. Louis zone is among the first of 274 zones nationally to apply for this benefit as well as the first Missouri Foreign-Trade Zone to apply. Only 13 of the 274 zones have been approved to date in the U.S. The application has been filed and can take up to eight months to be approved. Businesses in the City and County can apply for the new FTZ option immediately.

"Foreign-Trade Zones are growing in importance as a result of our increasingly global economy. This Foreign-Trade Zone application is an important step in leveling the economic playing field. It will make our City's and our County's businesses more competitive, and it shows that the City and County are working together for the region's greater good," said Slay.

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ECONOMIC COUNCIL CLOSES FIRST BOOST LOAN

Rick Palank, senior vice president of the Economic Council’s Business Finance Division, has announced that Davidson Surface/Air has been selected as the first recipient of the organization’s new BOOST loan program.

Headquartered in Hazelwood, Davidson is an international logistics company, conducting business throughout the United States as well as Canada, England, Denmark, and Japan.

"Davidson’s company is an ideal candidate for BOOST," said Palank. "It is a solid, growing company that needed funding to address its expansion needs."

BOOST is an alternative loan program to the SBA 504 loan and features fewer eligibility requirements. This innovative program is for businesses expanding within St. Louis County and provides loans for the purchase or construction of commercial, owner-occupied real estate and/or equipment.

Davidson Surface/Air has been in existence for nearly 30 years. Don Davidson, Jr., the company’s owner and CEO, started the business in his basement while working as a driver for a major trucking company.

The $500,000 BOOST loan was part of a $1.9 million project to purchase a 295,310-square-foot building in north St. Louis County, which will provide Davidson with additional space to fulfill newly signed contracts with Boeing and GKN Aerospace.

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GROWING GLOBAL HOSTS SEC. LOCKE, HONORS SEN. BOND

U.S. Senator Kit Bond, St. Louis County Executive Charlie A. Dooley, Councilwoman Barbara Fraser, and Secretary of Commerce Gary Locke.

United States Secretary of Commerce Gary Locke served as the keynote speaker for the World Trade Center Saint Louis’ (WTC) annual Growing Global luncheon on September 24, 2010.

Locke provided insights to over 650 business leaders on President Barack Obama's National Export Initiative and its goal of doubling exports over the next five years.

"Secretary Locke reinforced our vision on expanding our global efforts, like the China Hub Initiative, and provided a road map of how international trade will be an important catalyst for economic recovery," said St. Louis County Executive Charlie A. Dooley.

In addition, the WTC recognized U.S. Senator Kit Bond with its Global Ambassador Award in honor of more than 40 years of Bond’s outstanding leadership in promoting international trade and economic development.

"We have had a long partnership promoting free, fair and open trade in order to grow businesses and jobs for Missourians," said Bond. "History has taught us that during times of economic stress and downturn we ought to expand access to markets for American goods. And that is exactly what all of you at the World Trade Center Saint Louis have been focusing on and promoting successfully."

Others honored for their impact in global trade included Innoventor, awarded the Global Growth Award, and Dennis Muilenburg, recognized with the Global Business Person Award. Muilenburg is president and CEO of Boeing Defense, Space & Security.

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COLEMAN ELECTED IEDC BOARD CHAIR

Denny Coleman, president and CEO of St. Louis County Economic Council, was recently elected to serve as the Chairman of the Board of Directors for the International Economic Development Council (IEDC).

IEDC is the world’s largest economic development organization with over 4,400 members.

"It is truly an honor to be selected as chair of this great association," Coleman stated. "I am proud to serve an organization that is committed to improving the lives of the people in our profession and the communities in which they serve."

Coleman’s one-year term begins January 2011.

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COUNTY INVITES INPUT FOR JAMESTOWN MALL REDEVELOPMENT

St. Louis County continued its efforts to develop a master plan and feasibility study for Jamestown Mall by hosting an open design session last month. The public forum attracted a number of residents from the north St. Louis County community who shared their ideas and vision for the revitalization of the mall site.

"This is an important next step for the future of Jamestown Mall, and the community's input was critical to the overall success of the master plan and determining what's feasible and what's not," said St. Louis County Executive Charlie A. Dooley.

The design session was facilitated by Dover Kohl & Partners, renowned urban planners. Pamela Stacy, project manager with Dover Kohl & Partners, encouraged strong community input as the team "designed in public" throughout the sessions.

Last July, nearly 300 people attended the kick-off meeting at Jamestown Mall 14 Cine', which outlined the process leading to the design charrette. Project team members also were introduced including Dover Kohl & Partners, H3 Studio, Urban Advisors and Vector Communications.

For more information on the redevelopment efforts including images of the proposed master plan, visit us online at www.slcec.com.

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ST. LOUIS COUNTY HEADLINES

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