Economic Council Celebrates 25 Years and Receives Distinguished Accreditation
St. Louis Chinese American News
May 28, 2009
Last week, the St. Louis County Economic Council celebrated a record attendance at their 25th Anniversary Annual Meeting. Approximately 750 corporate executives, civic leaders, government officials, and small business owners packed the Ritz-Carlton in Clayton to help celebrate over two and a half decades of economic development and successes experienced by the County and its communities.
During the meeting, Jeff Finkle, president and CEO of the International Economic Development Council, recognized the Economic Council as an Accredited Economic Development Organization (AEDO), a distinguished status that signifies the professional excellence of economic development entities throughout North America.
The Economic Council is the only economic development agency in the State of Missouri to hold the esteemed accreditation and one of 20 other economic development organizations in the country.
"Receiving this accreditation was no easy task. The Economic Council went through an extensive, comprehensive evaluation process," said Finkle. "Its well-educated, talented staff has vast project management, real estate development and financial packaging expertise and achieved success from start to finish working on complex public and private projects-they are the go to place when something needs to get done."
St. Louis County Executive Charlie A. Dooley also addressed the crowd stating in the coming days, he would contact business, government and civic leaders of the entire metropolitan area and engage them in a process on what "together" needs to be done to create a 21st Century vision for St. Louis County and the region.
Dooley quoted a Proverb saying, 'Where the leaders have no vision, the people will perish.' "I challenge our leaders to create a collaborative vision so the people who depend on us may prosper. Let's take this economic crisis and create an opportunity to reposition our region for a stronger economy," he said.
President and CEO Denny Coleman reinforced Dooley's call to action. "I applaud our County Executive's call for a new vision, a shared vision and a renewed sense of responsibility for each and every one of us to be part of that effort, said Coleman. "The Economic Council looks forward to working with business, government and civic leaders to move our community in the right direction."
The milestone event also highlighted county economic development successes and its partnerships, recognizing and congratulating industries, communities and individuals who contributed in making St. Louis County the Economic Engine of the State of Missouri. Additionally, four organizations were honored for their efforts in helping to bolster the local economy:
* Bio-Research and Development Park (BRDG Park) - Dr. William D. Phillips Technology Award* Monsanto - Business Expansion Award* Midwest-China Hub Commission - Buzz Westfall Regional Cooperation Award* Seventh Wave - Outstanding Entrepreneur Award (and St. Louis Enterprise Center client)
About St. Louis County Economic Council
Founded in 1984, the Economic Council provides innovative solutions to companies and communities through business development, financing programs, business incubator opportunities, real estateand community development programs, and international expertise through the World Trade Center Saint Louis.
