St. Louis Enterprise Centers Add Six New Startups
Contact:
Nancy Schnoebelen
Vice President Marketing & Communications
(314) 615-7617, nschnoebelen@slcec.com
St. Louis, MO, February 3, 2010 - St. Louis Enterprise Centers have welcomed six new small businesses since November 2009, adding to its list of nearly 50 companies. Each startup moved in to one of the four Enterprise Centers locations -- West County, South County, Wellston, or Midtown -- where they not only occupy office and working space specific to their business needs but also receive mentoring services and other programs to help enhance their business growth.
The companies, representing a variety of industries, include Culination Gourmet Catering, full-service caterer; Local Backhaul Networks, LLC, telecommunications, engineering and network monitoring; ShadowOps, GPS tracking services; K Bakes, LLC, a specialty dessert distributor; Ves Solutions, Inc., voice and data networking; and Cross Rhodes Reprographics, LLC, advertiser, printer and distributor of construction documents.
"St. Louis County is committed to the success of our small business owners," said St. Louis County Executive Charlie A. Dooley. "We celebrate their creativity and drive to transform an idea into a thriving business, and we provide a supportive environment at St. Louis Enterprise Centers where they can grow their company."
Last year, St. Louis County Economic Council conducted an impact analysis study, which evaluated the effect of the St. Louis Enterprise Centers program on the St. Louis regional economy. Steady growth in both job and wealth creation continues to rise since the program's 1986 inception. According to the study, in 2008 the Enterprise Center companies employed 795 direct full-time employees (existing and graduating clients) with gross revenues totaling more than $175 million.
St. Louis Enterprise Centers looks for companies with a solid business plan, growth objectives and the potential to create jobs. Startups typically choose an Enterprise Center location that is close to home, so when it graduates from the facility, it will continue to spur the local economy.
"After about five years, our client companies have begun to establish themselves and are strong enough to office on their own," said Dennis Breite, vice president of the St. Louis Enterprise Centers. "We build strong relationships with these businesses, and it's hard to let them go. However, it's also rewarding to see each graduate move out and continue to succeed, knowing the Enterprise Centers provided crucial resources that helped get them started."
About St. Louis Enterprise Centers
St. Louis Enterprise Centers are governed by a City/County board and staffed by St. Louis County Economic Council. The nationally recognized program is designed to foster the success of new companies by offering a range of support services including affordable office and warehouse space, office equipment, access to expert mentoring, professional seminars, and networking opportunities. The Enterprise Centers are one component of St. Louis County Economic Council's overall efforts to promote economic development in the county and region.
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