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Today's Headlines
INVESTING IN OURSELVES
Investment. Workers invest in their 401k or their kids’ college funds. But what about St. Louis County? How do we invest in ourselves? One way is investing in our greatest asset—our people. We dedicate time, talent and resources to help some of the most forward thinking people succeed. For example, our entrepreneurs. The 2011 St. Louis Regional Business Plan Competition celebrates the region’s entrepreneurial spirit by funding those companies identified as having great potential. Small businesses also have access to numerous resources including the St. Louis Enterprise Center’s small business incubators and critical funding through the County’s small business loan programs.
Last year, St. Louis County won a national award for its support of small businesses through programs such as these. What a great investment! Charlie A. Dooley
USDA HIRING IN OVERLAND
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County Executive Dooley signs the proclamation declaring the Charles F. Prevedel Federal Building as the location of the new National Operations Center for the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Agricultural Statistics Center. |
U.S. Senator Roy Blunt, Congressman William "Lacy" Clay, St. Louis County Executive Charlie A. Dooley, and Overland Mayor Mike Schneider welcomed Secretary Vilsack to St. Louis County. Vilsack detailed the Ag Department’s plans to establish the centralized data collection, processing and training center for the National Agricultural Statistics Services (NASS).
The Charles F. Prevedel Federal Building, former home to National Archives, will house the NASS’s National Operations Center. The federal government will invest $35 million on the campus over the next five years.
"This is truly a win-win scenario," Dooley stated. "With the National Archives and Records Administration relocating from the Prevedel building to a new state-of-the-art facility in north St. Louis County, Secretary Vilsack recognized the advantages this complex has to offer."
USDA will utilize the space as a hub to conduct the 2012 Census of Agriculture, a significant accounting effort compiled every five years. The census identifies progress and changes in the agricultural industry.
Secretary Vilsack said the Overland campus was chosen because it offered excellent space, great transportation capabilities and was located in the Central time zone.
The Helix Fund has invested $50,000 in Confluence Life Sciences, Inc., an early-stage life sciences company. This is the second Helix Fund investment, which supports the early-stage growth and development of plant and life sciences companies through direct investment and entrepreneurial support.
Confluence scientists are developing innovative treatments for animal and human diseases including cancer and chronic inflammatory diseases.
Joe Monahan, a highly regarded research scientist with 28 years experience in the drug discovery field, started the company less than a year ago.
"What appealed to us about Confluence are the groundbreaking drugs currently in its research pipeline. But it was also the opportunity to keep four of our top-level, local scientists in the St. Louis region," said Denny Coleman, president and CEO of the Economic Council. "Four of the company's founding partners were involved in a downsizing at Pfizer and had multiple opportunities to leave the region for new positions."
The Helix Fund is an early-stage capital source funded by St. Louis County Port Authority, an affiliate of St. Louis County Economic Council.
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HighQuest Partners is the newest addition to Bio-Research & Development Growth (BRDG) Park. The strategic advisory and management consulting firm will move to Building I at the plant and life science research park at the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center.
HighQuest Partners works with leadership teams in the global food, agribusiness and renewable energy sectors to make informed decisions regarding strategy, investments/mergers, acquisitions, and governance. Established in 2000, the company has completed more than 275 assignments for leading players in the food, grain and oilseed production industries.
HighQuest leaders jumped at the chance to move to BRDG Park and join this rapidly-expanding plant science community. "As St. Louis’ reputation as a global leader in plant and life sciences continues to grow, it is strategically advantageous for HighQuest to be located at BRDG Park – the center for plant and life science research and commercialization of new technologies," said Philippe de Lapérouse, Director of HighQuest Partners’ Global Food and Agribusiness Practice in St. Louis.
"We are pleased to welcome HighQuest Partners to BRDG Park," said Sam Fiorello, president of BRDG Park. "With the addition of HighQuest, BRDG Park’s on-site professional services include a life-science intellectual property law firm and two organizations that connect scientific enterprises to financing and partners, offering a critical mass of specialized resources in one location that is simply not available anywhere else in the region."
Thirty entrepreneurs have qualified for the 2011 St. Louis Regional Business Plan Competition. The top 30 will compete for a total of $100,000 in cash prizes as well as legal, accounting, marketing and mentoring professional services.
Rick Palank, sr. vice president for St. Louis County Economic Council’s Business Finance Division, is already excited about the quality of this year’s submissions.
"I am very impressed with the excellence and vision of this year’s applications," said Palank. "While competition was steep for the top three positions last year, this year’s pool of qualified applicants are providing an even higher degree of quality presentations."
St. Louis County Executive Charlie A. Dooley expressed strong support for the Business Plan Competition’s annual program.
"Small business and entrepreneurship is the lifeblood of St. Louis County. I am happy to see we can continue that strong presence for the benefit of the region," Dooley said.
The winners will be announced July 1, 2011 by County Executive Dooley and Edward Jones Managing Partner Jim Weddle. The competition is presented by the Economic Council and sponsored by Edward Jones.
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St. Louis County Executive Charlie A. Dooley congratulates Rock Hill Mayor Daniel DiPlacido for the completion of the eight-week Certificate Program in Economic Development. |
The nationally acclaimed Certificate Program in Economic Development concluded its second year with the graduation of 37 students. The eight-week program brought together mayors and other municipal leaders from Overland, Rock Hill, Eureka, Normandy, St. Peters, and the City of St. Louis.
"I commend you on your diligence and desire to make the St. Louis region a better place," said St. Louis County Executive Charlie A. Dooley. "Successful economic development is a team game, and I am proud that we are all on the same team."
The certificate program is a collaborative effort created by St. Louis County, Saint Louis University, Urban Land Institute – St. Louis Chapter, and St. Louis Development Corporation. Its main focus is to educate communities on the best practices of economic development.
"We are pleased with the results of this partnership," said Bob Cropf, chair of the Public Policies Study Department at Saint Louis University and certificate program co-founder. "This is a clear demonstration of the impact one can have when the right people come together to improve a region."
Plans are already being made for next year’s program. Anyone interested in participating should contact the program’s manager Shay Steelman or St. Louis County Economic Council at 314.615.1673.
