Logo St Charles MO  

 

 

 
Like us on Facebook
Join us on Facebook

 View our videos on YouTube

In This Issue
Masterclock Named 2014 Exporter of the Year
Newco Celebrates 40 Year Anniversary
City and Chamber Host Small Business Roundtable
St. Charles Ranks as Best Place to Live
St. Charles Breaks Ground on New Public Works Facility
Quarterly Power Breakfast Hosted by Aspect
City Hall Reopens Parking Garage
Get Ready for "The Buck Shops Saint Charles"
Quick Links
DID YOU KNOW?
The State of Missouri is
one of only three states in the nation
The 2014 Digital States Survey grades states on how well they use technology to serve their citizens. 




FAST FACT 
St. Charles Economic Development is one of only three organizations in Missouri to receive AEDO status.    



FAST FACT
For the sixth consecutive year, Lindenwood University has earned the designation of a "military friendly" school by G.I. Jobs Magazine; an  achievement only 15% of colleges, universities and trade schools nationwide receive each year.  The designation recognizes policies and practices to recruit and retain students who are members of the U.S. military or are veterans of the military.




DISCOVER....  
Coordinator Travis Wilson talks about University Commons and the new Schnucks at Lindenwood.    
 

BacktotopGreetings!

Mayor Faith  2013

 

A sure sign of growth in a community is the amount of public improvements that takes place. By that standard, St. Charles is growing at a tremendous rate.

 

In late September, we opened our newly renovated City Hall garage. The structure, which houses over 400 cars, was closed in March because of the need for significant renovations.

 

Temporarily shuttering a facility like this can be daunting. It was, however, important to undertake this project due to safety concerns.

 

The City took the leading role in planning for the project and included key partners like downtown businesses and St. Charles County government. In the end, the public benefits from a safer, more secure structure that will play a vital role of all activities in downtown St. Charles for many decades to come.

 

This is not something new for us. Whether it is the parking garage, Blanchette Memorial Bridge, our impending 5th Street improvements, a new water tower or other major public infrastructure upgrades...the City takes a methodical and proactive position in planning for the best possible long term results.

 

If you are a company that needs a strong infrastructure plan for both today AND tomorrow...then look to the City of St. Charles. We are building for your present and future.

 

 Thank you,

 Sally Sig photoshop 

Mayor Sally Faith
Masterclock Named 2014 Exporter of the Year
 

Masterclock, a global pioneer in the development and construction of synchronized digital and analog clocks, was recently recognized as Missouri's Exporter of the Year by Governor Jay Nixon. The St. Charles based company exports to 69 countries.

 

Governor Nixon, along with Missouri Department of Economic Development Director Mike Downing, presented the award to Bill Clark, founder and president of Masterclock, along with his wife, Mary Clark and John Clark, the company's general manager.

 

Masterclock manufactures a variety of equipment designed to keep both facilities and people synchronized for large corporations, universities, sports teams, broadcasters, law enforcement and the military. Their products do everything from assisting studios to
Mayor Faith presents a proclamation to John, Bill and Mary Clark
ensure smooth programming transitions, to helping astronauts ensure timely liftoffs. 

 

The company has developed its global network through participation in international trade shows and  cultivating relationships with businesses throughout the world.  In fact, 39% of the company's year-to-date sales have come from international customers.

 

The company presently employs 26 people.

 

 

Newco Celebrates 40 Year Anniversary
 

Newco Enterprises, leading manufacturer of quality beverage equipment and related products, recently celebrated their 40th anniversary with the City and Greater St. Charles County Chamber of Commerce.

 

Founded in 1974, the company has built a solid reputation for high quality, low maintenance products tailored to the needs of Food Service and Office Coffee Service industries.

 

In recognizing the company's achievement, Mayor Sally Faith praised the company for being an important part of the City's economic landscape.

 

"Newco symbolizes the best of our manufacturing base. It is a small company with a large presence in its industry. Their success is a reflection of the type of companies you will find in  St. Charles."

 

 

City and Chamber Host Small Business Roundtable
 

Mayor Sally Faith, the City's Economic Development Department and the  Greater St. Charles County Chamber of Commerce joined forces to host a series of "Small Business Breakfasts". 

 

"From the beginning, I stressed my administration would be one of transparency," stated Faith.  "These breakfasts are another outreach effort from the City to not only communicate what we are doing, but also hear from local businesses about their concerns."

 

Scott Tate, Chamber President, agreed with the purpose of the meetings. "Small business is the life blood of this region and nation.  These breakfasts demonstrate the Chamber is interested in the issues that impact both large and small business owners."

 

The breakfasts are set up to be informal discussion forums that cover a variety of topics.  Attendees have ranged from grocers and investment advisors to small manufacturers, restaurants and businesses along Historic Main Street.

 

David Leezer, the City's Director of Economic Development, stated at least one more session will take place this year and plans are being made for more breakfasts in 2015.

 

 

St. Charles Ranks as Best Place to Live
Main Street  

24/7 Wall Street, an internet based business and financial news operation, recently ranked the City of St. Charles as one of the  "50 Best Cities to Live".

 

Researchers reviewed a number of characteristics including crime rates, employment growth, housing stock, cost of living and education rates.

 

In recognizing St. Charles as one of their top 50 locations, reporters cited the City's extremely low crime rate (less than half the national average) and low unemployment rate.

 

"We are pleased to see another objective third party organization once again recognizes the assets of our City," stated Mayor Sally Faith. "It  confirms we are doing things right."

 

St. Charles was the only community in both the State of Missouri and the Greater St. Louis metropolitan region to be placed on the list.

 

 

St. Charles Breaks Ground on New Public Works Facility
 

The St. Charles Public Works Department hosted a groundbreaking ceremony on September 9th to officially commemorate the construction start for the City's new Public Works Facility. Located at 2871 Elm Point Industrial Drive, the building will include additional service bays to maintain over 150 municipal vehicles, trucks, SCAT buses and pieces of heavy construction equipment.

 

In 2011, the City purchased 8.56 acres on Mueller Road for the purpose of relocating street maintenance operations.  Funding to buy this property and build a road to it came from the sale of 24 acres of City property located at Little Hills Expressway and Boschertown Road. 

 

Officials believe the facility will be completed by late September of 2015.

 

 

Quarterly Power Breakfast Hosted by Aspect
 

Aspect, a provider of integrate software platform solutions for contact centers and customer management programs, recently hosted the Mayor's Quarterly Power Breakfast.

 

The group, consisting of some of the largest employers in St. Charles, meets on a quarterly basis to gain insight on new issues and discuss items of note to private industry.

 

Azhar Salahuddin, Aspect's representative to the Power Breakfast, spoke about the company's presence in St. Charles and how it is meeting the ever changing technology world.

 

 

City Hall Reopens Parking Garage
 
Mayor Sally Faith and the St. Charles City Council hosted a special celebration on Monday, September 29th to officially reopen the City Hall public parking garage. 

 

The garage was closed in March to undergo a significant reconstruction.

 

In her opening comments, Faith said, "I want to thank everyone involved in the planning and construction of this project.  While it was a difficult process, in the end, we have a much safer structure that will serve the public for decades to come."

 

The Mayor praised City's Public Works, Administration and Media  Department for working diligently on not only successfully completing the reconstruction, but for developing a number of strategies to minimize the impact on downtown employees and businesses.  She also acknowledged the efforts of Sharlotte Worthington for assisting in getting Main Street businesses behind the project.

 

 

Get Ready for "The Buck Shops Saint Charles"!
 

The City of St. Charles and the Greater St. Charles Convention & Visitors Bureau have developed a new program to promote shopping options in the community. Called "The Buck Shops Saint Charles!," the promotion inspires customers to begin shopping at participating merchants from November 1 - 24, 2014.

 

CVB Director Joe Ward stated the intention of the program is to encourage visitors and residents alike to shop local and invest in our community.  "We believe this advertising campaign is an inexpensive way to make future shoppers more aware of our businesses."

 

Mayor Sally Faith said, "The Buck Shops Saint Charles" will kick off our celebration for the 40th Anniversary of Christmas Traditions and create an even greater excitement for this iconic event."

 

Click here to learn more or you may email us at [email protected] or call the CVB at 888-947-9784.

 

 


Sincerely,

Your Economic Development Team  
David Leezer,  Travis Wilson and Susie King