SLCEC names Chrysler redevelopment strategy manager
St. Louis Globe-Democrat
November 3, 2010
St. Louis County Economic Council has named Barbara Featherston as senior project manager for the Chrysler Regional Redevelopment Strategy. In this role, Featherson will oversee the planning initiative to diversify the economy and expand employment opportunities in the wake of the Chrysler plant closings.
One of Featherston's priorities will be to manage and execute a regional redevelopment strategy. The partnership of the City of Fenton, State of Missouri (Department of Economic Development) and St. Louis County has selected Chicago-based AECOM to research, analyze and develop the plan, which will identify the best sectors to replace jobs lost at the Fenton plants and surrounding vendor supply chain.
"All three partners were unanimous in our selection of AECOM and have made a clear directive that we expect to see a comprehensive regional strategy that will not only redeploy the vacant Chrysler site but also address area-wide, automotive-related job losses in the entire St. Louis metropolitan region," said Economic Council President and CEO Denny Coleman.
The re-use study and regional economic initiative are funded by a grant through the U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration (EDA) and a Community Development Block Grant from Missouri Department of Economic Development. In addition, both St. Louis County and Fenton have submitted matching funds to the project as required by EDA regulations.
Featherston, a St. Louis native, previously worked for the Center of Research, Technology and Entrepreneurial Exchange (CORTEX), a nonprofit organization that facilitates the development of a plant and life science district in midtown St. Louis. She also has extensive private sector experience having worked for General Electric and Sara Lee Bakery Group in their corporate real estate divisions.
Featherston earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Washington University in St. Louis and received a Master of Corporate Real Estate designation from CoreNet Global.
The strategic plan is expected to be completed by the end of 2011.
