St. Louis Enterprise Centers Add Six New Startups
Nancy Schnoebelen
Vice President Marketing & Communications
314.615.7617, nschnoebelen@slcec.com
St. Louis, MO, July 21, 2009 - U.S. Bureau Labor and Statistics data indicates that small businesses have one of the greatest impacts on job growth, especially during recessionary times. And job growth is exactly what small business owners at the St. Louis Enterprise Centers are doing to revive the economy. Since January 2009, six new small businesses have made the Enterprise Centers their home, adding to the more than 50 companies.
"Small business is big business, and St. Louis County is committed to the success of our small business owners," said St. Louis County Executive Charlie A. Dooley. "Over 85 percent of all businesses in St. Louis County have fewer than 25 employees, and it is these small businesses that make up the vast majority of jobs and economic stimulus to our region."
According to a 2008 Impact Analysis Study conducted by the St. Louis County Economic Council, which evaluated the impact of the St. Louis Enterprise Centers program on the St. Louis regional economy, the results showed the program is doing its job. Steady growth in both job and wealth creation continues to rise since the program's inception in 1986. In 2007, the Enterprise Center companies employed 716 full-time employees, which included existing and graduating clients, with gross revenues totaling nearly $160 million.
St. Louis Enterprise Centers Vice President Dennis Breite looks for companies with a solid business plan, growth objectives and the potential to create jobs. Startups usually choose an Enterprise Center location -- West County, South County, Wellston, or Midtown -- that's close to their home, so when they graduate from the facility, they'll continue to spur the local economy.
"Typically, St. Louis Enterprise Center tenants stay for approximately five years. By then they have begun to establish themselves and are strong enough to office on their own," said Breite. "It's bittersweet when companies "graduate." We build strong relationships with our client companies, and it's hard to let them go; but it's good because our Enterprise Centers provide crucial resources to help startups succeed."
The six new businesses that have moved into the Enterprise Centers represent a variety of industries. They include Century Restoration, emergency water mitigation; Eagle Communications, technology consulting; Hess Printing Solutions, marketing print services; Inside Hospitality, guest experience analysis; LipoSpectrum, lipid analysis company; and Strategic Property Advisors, anti-foreclosure advisory services.
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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