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Today's Headlines
A WINNING TEAM!When people around the country think about St. Louis, they usually think about baseball or the Arch, but increasingly the buzz is about science. I should say, the buzz is about the scientists who are building innovative companies right here in St. Louis County. I was proud to announce the winners of this year’s St. Louis Regional Business Plan Competition. Dr. Duke Creighton nabbed the top prize and he tells the story best. He told the crowd there is no better place to start a scientific company than St. Louis. We have the talent, the universities and a low cost of doing business. I couldn’t have been more proud!
Every day I strive to create in St. Louis County an environment where entrepreneurs want to grow. Thanks to all the winners and keep striving for great things! Charlie A. Dooley
SCHATTDECOR BRINGS JOBS & HERITAGE
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This month Schattdecor officially celebrated the opening of its very first North American manufacturing facility. The global printer of décor papers supplies materials for the laminate flooring and countertop industry throughout the world.
Schattdecor founder Walter Schatt brought his German heritage to the celebration with an authentic Bavarian band, traditional garb, festive dance and of course beer! Most importantly, the latest manufacturing company to locate in St. Louis County brought with it jobs.
In 2009, Schattdecor purchased land in Maryland Heights. By October 2010, an enormous printing press was installed, and three months later, the new staff of 40 moved into the 109,000-square-foot building. The company has plans to expand its workforce and operations with space for an additional three printing presses. The special touch – a beautiful beer garden shaded by chestnut trees where employees can relax and watch the sunset after a hard day’s work.
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It’s been a nail-biting six months for the nearly 120 entrepreneurs who competed in the 2011 St. Louis Regional Business Plan Competition. After rigorous judging, three companies earned the title of best business plans of 2011. The excited winners were awarded prize money of $50,000, $30,000 and $20,000 respectively, as well as legal, accounting, marketing, and mentoring services.
"The competition, now in its second year, celebrates entrepreneurship and the development of early-stage companies in the St. Louis region," said St. Louis County Executive Charlie A. Dooley. "The great thing is it attracts many different businesses each year – a testament to the area’s booming entrepreneurial environment."
2011 St. Louis Regional Business Plan Competition winners:
1st Place – Pulse Therapeutics, Inc. is developing a magnetism-based technology to dissolve blood clots related to ischemic stroke. Pulse Therapeutics was founded in 2009 by Duke Creighton, PhD (pictured right), and Rogers Ritter, PhD. Click here to meet the founder and see how this innovative device works.2nd Place – The Mission Center, L3C is Missouri's first for-profit charity that increases the efficiency and effectiveness of nonprofit organizations through the creation of economies of scale in back office operations. The Mission Center was founded by Chris Miller (pictured left).
3rd Place – Pada Medical Products focuses on improving healing for patients with chronic wounds, particularly those with diabetes, vascular disease and limited mobility. Pada Medical Products was founded in 2010 by Debra Shetka (pictured middle), Jim Leary and Steve Kelley.
The Business Plan Competition is presented by St. Louis County Economic Council and sponsored by Edward Jones, which provides the monetary prizes. Click here to see the companies that donated legal, accounting, marketing, and mentoring services.
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A great deal of pressure lies on cities, counties and development entities to manage costs and still find ways to grow. The national award-winning Certificate Program in Economic Development addresses these issues in a high-impact, eight-week course.
The Certificate Program is an introductory training course designed to help elected officials, municipal staffs and key volunteer board members understand and apply the intricate concepts of economic development. Instructors integrate practical perspectives on job creation, infrastructure, real estate development, incentives, fiscal capacity, planning and zoning, green development, deal structuring, and marketing.
To learn more and register, visit www.slcec.com.
When: Begins 4:30-7:30 p.m., Thursday, October 13, 2011Eight classes - four fall 2011, four spring 2012Where: World Trade Center - 121 S. Meramec Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63105
Registration: $565, Click here to register
St. Louis County Economic Council is excited to welcome three new employees to the team:
La Royce Bird
Bird, a graduate of the Metropolitan Education & Training (MET) Center, will assist Senior Project Manager Barb Featherston on the Chrysler Regional Redevelopment Strategy. Bird assists with the intricate administrative matters of the project.
Jonathan Boesch
Boesch, a graduate of the University of Missouri, serves as assistant project manager in the Real Estate & Community Development division. In this newly created position, Boesch is responsible for a variety of duties, including the St. Louis County Port Authority Community Reinvestment Fund.
Ed Bryant
Bryant joined the Economic Council as vice president of the Economic Development Collaborative, an initiative created in 2006 by County Executive Charlie A. Dooley. Under Bryant’s direction, the Collaborative implements regional economic development activities, utilizing the various agencies, programs, public and private leadership, and businesses within St. Louis County.
