Today's Headlines
INTRODUCTION
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The State of Missouri has recently been recognized as one of the top 10 pro-business states according to a study conducted by Pollina Corporate Real Estate.
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As St. Louis County continues the path to economic recovery, we have set three strategic directions to guide the way—entrepreneurship/innovation, globalization and sustainability. These three objectives will help create jobs and investment and solidify a healthy economy for residents.
Entrepreneurship and Innovation: It is universally believed that small businesses will play a large role in ending this recession. Their success, which is increasingly critical to economic development, relies on strong resources, such as: small business incubators like the new Helix Center and St. Louis Enterprise Centers; early stage capital sources like the Helix Fund; innovative loan programs; and a regional business plan competition. Recently, St. Louis County was recognized by the International Economic Development Council for all of these and other small business resources.
Globalization: St. Louis County’s competiveness in world markets is more critical than ever. A number of factors such as export/import data and global currency rates are impacting world markets of all sizes. In addition to our World Trade Center Saint Louis’ support of international trade, our efforts to create a Midwest-China hub will expand the region’s trade capabilities, create high-paying jobs and generate increased economic activity.
Sustainability: While green manufacturing jobs are on the rise exponentially, manufacturing as a whole is not. The Department of Energy is investing billions of dollars to produce innovative sources of alternative energy. As sustainability continues to move to the forefront, so, too, is the County positioning itself as a leader. The redevelopment of the former Chrysler site as an alternative and renewable energy technology and business park is a real possibility, while research conducted at the Danforth Center, Monsanto, BRDG Park, Nidus, and others continues to develop products for improving agriculture, the environment and human condition.
Now is the time to improve and invest in entrepreneurship/innovation, globalization and sustainability. St. Louis County continues to shape a healthy economy—one that puts people back to work and creates sustainable, quality jobs.
Charlie A. Dooley
St. Louis County Executive
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USDA EXPANDS OPERATIONS IN OVERLAND
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has announced United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) plans to open a centralized data collection and processing center in Overland as part of its efforts to consolidate operations and better serve the statistical needs of agriculture and rural America.
The center is expected to create approximately 100 full-time and 300 part-time jobs.
"This new, centrally located facility will help standardize and streamline the survey operations conducted by USDA around the country and ensure we collect the best and most useful agricultural data," said Vilsack.
"This is very welcoming news," said St. Louis County Executive Charlie A. Dooley. "The facility brings a boost to our economy, helps lessen job losses and moves us to recovery."
"Along with leading science and business entities like Monsanto, the Danforth Center, BRDG Park, and the new Helix Center, a small business incubator for the plant and life sciences, this new USDA center solidifies our leadership in this vitally important sector of the economy," added Dooley.
Overland Mayor Mike Schneider also was extremely pleased with the USDA announcement.
"I applaud the USDA’s commitment to Overland and the region," said Schneider. "The city is keenly aware of the importance this facility has to the metropolitan area, and we appreciate the USDA’s recognition that Overland is an asset to their operations."
The National Agricultural Statistics Service’s (NASS) National Operations Center is scheduled to open late 2011. It will be located in the former U.S. Army federal records center at 9700 Page Boulevard. U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) is currently converting the center to a resource-efficient, environmentally sound facility, seeking LEED silver certification. GSA plans to invest $35 million into improvements over the next five years.
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PORT AUTHORITY ISSUES RFP FOR LEMAY COMMUNITY CENTER
St. Louis County Port Authority received approval from the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) regional office to expend $475,000 in Neighborhood Initiatives Grant money for Phase II of planning for the Lemay Community Center.
The Port Authority has issued a request for proposals (RFP) for architectural/engineering (A&E) design services to prepare the final A&E plans for the project. The RFP can be obtained on St. Louis County Economic Council’s website at www.slcec.com.
"This is the next critical step in constructing a community center for the residents of Lemay," said St. Louis County Executive Charlie A. Dooley. "The center will have a multi-generational, recreational appeal and provide meeting space for the community."
The center will be located at Broadway and Kingston at the north entrance to Jefferson Barracks Park. It will feature an outdoor aquatic area, gymnasium, running track, weight room, aerobic room, multi-purpose room, babysitting area, lounge space, concessions, and locker rooms.
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PROJECT MANAGER TO OVERSEE CHRYSLER REDEVELOPMENT
St. Louis County Economic Council President & CEO Denny Coleman has announced the appointment of Barbara Featherston as Senior Project Manager for the Chrysler Regional Redevelopment Strategy.
"We received a large number of highly qualified resumes, and Barb’s relevant experience and knowledge made her the ideal candidate for the job," said Colemam. "Those assets combined with her solid reputation in the greater St. Louis region will be of great value in the redevelopment of the property."
A native of St. Louis, Featherston previously worked for the Center of Research, Development and Entrepreneurial Exchange (CORTEX) in St. Louis, a not-for-profit organization devoted to the promotion and development of leading startup industries in the life and plant sciences. She also has extensive private sector experience having worked for General Electric and Sara Lee.
"I am extremely excited to join the Economic Council to oversee this vital project," said Featherston. "Working together with our partners, I believe we can formulate a strong vision for the region that will ultimately pay dividends to the entire St. Louis metropolitan area."
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ECONOMIC COUNCIL HIRES BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT OFFICER
St. Louis County Economic Council has named Stephen Grelle, business development officer for its Business Finance Division. Grelle will promote finance loans including the BOOST loan program and SBA 504 loan, which help local businesses obtain necessary funding to grow.
Previously, Grelle spent nearly 10 years in the finance industry as a credit analyst and most recently in small business lending at Commerce Bank. He has experience working with all SBA loan programs.
"I am extremely pleased Steve has joined our team," said Rick Palank, senior vice president of the Economic Council’s Business Finance Division. "His solid banking experience and enthusiasm will be a benefit not just to our organization but to the region’s growing, small business community."
Grelle earned a bachelor’s degree in operations management and marketing from the University of Missouri-St. Louis and is currently completing his master’s in business administration with an emphasis in finance at the university.
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LIBERTY MUTUAL INSURES SUCCESS WITH COUNTY EXPANSION
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Governor Jay Nixon and Rich Meuret, regional general manager for Safeco Insurance Company, cut the ribbon. |
Last week, St. Louis County Executive Charlie A. Dooley and Missouri Governor Jay Nixon celebrated a $3 million investment in the region by Liberty Mutual Group and its national subsidiary Safeco Insurance Company.
The company, which is located in unincorporated St. Louis County near Fenton, will create 100 full-time jobs over the next two years with an average salary of $52,000.
"I want to thank Liberty Mutual for its trust in St. Louis County and the assets we possess," said Dooley. "Companies like Liberty Mutual make investment decisions based on what is best for them in both the short and long term. St. Louis County has once again demonstrated its ability to be the location of choice for business investment and success."
Liberty Mutual is Missouri's second-largest workers' compensation insurance group and ranked in the Fortune 500 list of largest companies in the United States.
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GLOBAL PATENT GROUP OPENS PRACTICE AT BRDG PARK
BioResearch and Development Growth Park (BRDG Park) has announced that Global Patent Group, LLC has moved its life sciences and pharmaceutical focused patent law firm to the research park at the Danforth Plant Science Center.
"We’re incredibly excited to be at BRDG Park," said Dennis Bennett, founder and managing partner of Global Patent Group. "There is a tremendous amount of energy here at BRDG Park and the Danforth Plant Science Center."
Global Patent Group has in-house global patent filing and prosecution capabilities as well as an experienced team of specialists including patent attorneys, patent agents and Ph.D. consultants to advise clients on complex intellectual matters.
"As BRDG Park attracts plant and life sciences companies that are transitioning innovative ideas into commercial success, Global Patent Group’s presence is a distinct advantage," said Sam Fiorello, president of BRDG Park. "It underscores the multi-faceted vitality of BRDG Park, where companies and organizations benefit from regular interaction and collaboration with others on the leading edge of science innovation."
BRDG Park at the Danforth Plant Science Center helps life sciences companies bridge research, resources and relationships to achieve commercial success. The park’s Building I, which opened in 2009, is a LEED Gold facility featuring world-class wet laboratories, office space and on-site workforce development.
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ST. LOUIS COUNTY HEADLINES
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