St. Louis County and Edward Jones Announce Business Plan Competition
Nancy Schnoebelen
Vice President, Marketing & Communications
314.615.7617, nschnoebelen@slcec.com
St. Louis, MO, January 15, 2010 - St. Louis County Economic Council, in partnership with Edward Jones, announces its 2010 St. Louis Regional Business Plan Competition to promote entrepreneurship and the development of startup and early-stage companies in the St. Louis region. This is the first time an economic development agency in the State of Missouri has partnered with a national company to support small businesses.
The St. Louis Economic Council will award the three top winning companies with prize money of $50,000 for first place, $30,000 second and $20,000 third place. The prize money was provided by Edward Jones. In addition, legal, accounting and marketing services will be donated by local companies including Thompson Coburn LLP; Carmody MacDonald P.C.; Armstrong Teasdale LLP; Rubin Brown; UHY Advisors MO; Larson Allen P.C.; Fleishman-Hillard; Brighton Agency; and Standing Partnership. Mentoring also will be provided by InnovateVMS.
"Small business is the backbone of the American economy. Today, during some of the worst economic times the United States has seen in its history, small businesses are making the biggest positive impact on the economy," said St. Louis County Executive Charlie A. Dooley. "This competition will help promote entrepreneurialism in our region and award those with solid business plans extra stability to help them succeed."
Every for-profit industry sector is eligible and businesses have to be new or in its early stage with no more than $100,000 in annual revenue. The deadline for submitting applications is Tuesday, March 9, 2010. For additional information about the eligibility requirements, competition rules, judging criteria, and important deadlines, visit www.slcec.com/business-plan-competition.html.
"Small businesses represent our nation's growth engine. They help make America among the most productive work forces in the world," said Jim Weddle, managing partner of Edward Jones. "We know what it takes for a small business owner to survive and succeed, and the St. Louis Regional Business Plan Competition helps encourage that success."
About St. Louis County Economic Council
Founded in 1984, St. Louis County Economic Council serves as the county's economic development agency, driving growth and prosperity in the most economically important county in Missouri. As the only economic development agency in the state to hold the esteemed Accredited Economic Development Organization from the International Economic Development Council, it provides a broad range of services through its six divisions: business development, business finance, economic development collaborative, real estate and community development, St. Louis Enterprise Centers, and World Trade Center Saint Louis.
About Edward Jones
Edward Jones provides financial services for individual investors in the United States and, through its affiliate, in Canada. Every aspect of the firm's business, from the types of investment options offered tothe location of branch offices, is designed to cater to individual investors in the communities in which
they live and work. The firm's 12,000-plus financial advisors work directly with nearly 7 million clients to understand their personal goals -- from college savings to retirement -- and create long-term investment solutions that emphasize a well-balanced portfolio and a buy-and-hold strategy. Edward Jones embraces the importance of building long-term, face-to-face relationships with clients, helping them to understand and make sense of the investment options available today.
Edward Jones, which ranked No. 2 on FORTUNE magazine's "100 Best Companies to Work For 2009," is headquartered in St. Louis. The Edward Jones Web site is located at www.edwardjones.com, and its recruiting Web site is www.careers.edwardjones.com. Member SIPC.
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