State Agency Declares Formerly Contaminated Site Meets
Voluntary Cleanup Program Standards

ST. LOUIS, December 15, 2004: The St. Louis County Economic Council received a letter from the Missouri Department of Natural Resources declaring that 15 formerly contaminated acres in Wellston meet the requirements of its Voluntary Cleanup Program and require “no further action.”

The acreage, being developed in cooperation with Clark Properties and now known as the Plymouth Industrial Park, was donated to St. Louis County in 1983. Site assessments revealed the existence of chlorinated solvents and heavy petroleum in the shallow groundwater and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and petroleum in the soils across the site. The property at one time also contained approximately 33 former manufacturing buildings needing to be demolished and remediated due to obsolescence and contamination.

“The condition and appearance of the site were detrimental to the Wellston community and seriously inhibited attractive housing, business and industrial development in the vicinity,” said Charlie A. Dooley, St. Louis County Executive.

The St. Louis County Economic Council undertook a massive cleanup of the site and demolished the remaining buildings, excavated and removed contaminated soils and underground storage tanks, remediated the groundwater and stabilized the stream bank on the eastern boundary of the site.

To facilitate the cleanup, the Economic Council chose to enroll the site (owned by the County’s Land Clearance for Redevelopment Authority) in Missouri’s Voluntary Cleanup Program in 1997, to obtain the State’s oversight and participate in the Missouri Department of Economic Development’s Brownfield Tax Credit program. The tax credits, which the County sold to Ameren and Allegiant Bank, helped fund the cleanup with $3.5 million; the cleanup was further funded by a $1.9 million Economic Development Administration grant for remediation and infrastructure and a County Industrial Development Authority loan.

“What has been an eyesore for Wellston and a tremendous burden for St. Louis County is today an impressive, remediated site – The Plymouth Industrial Park – ready for new tenants, investment and development and the creation of jobs and industry in this rejuvenated municipality,” Dooley stated.

Dooley stated that after over 20 years of work, receiving this letter from the State is cause for celebration in the County and the City of Wellston.

“This cleanup is only part of St. Louis County’s comprehensive effort to rebuild the City of Wellston and other inner-ring suburbs,” said Dooley.

“Environmental remediation, new businesses, job training, job creation, new housing, parks, streets and bridges are bringing this municipality back and making it a strong player in the economy of St. Louis County.”
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Extensive Regional Facts and In-depth Information on Economic Council Services
Allow Users to Take Advantage of Organization’s Strengths

ST. LOUIS, Dec. 13, 2004: Denny Coleman, President and Chief Executive Officer, St. Louis County Economic Council (SLCEC), announced today that the SLCEC has launched an informative new Web site (www.slcec.com). The site will prove a valuable regional asset for companies looking to learn more about St. Louis as well as for those companies and individuals in the St. Louis region who want to better understand how to take advantage of the extensive services offered by the SLCEC and its many divisions.

“The new SLCEC Web site is the result of several months of hard work and collaboration between internal and external interests,” Coleman said. “We wanted to create a new site that would allow visitors to grasp the things that make St. Louis a special place to live and grow a business. We also wanted to be able to help people understand the extent of the services provided by the Economic Council and the strength of our team. We feel that the new site will help us to continue to be a great resource for the community.”

The SLCEC Web site was designed and developed with the assistance of E-Data Solutions, Inc., an incubator client located in the SLCEC’s South County Enterprise Center in Lemay. “This has been an incredible opportunity to utilize the services of a very talented incubator client,” stated Coleman. “E-data Solutions has worked extremely hard on this Web site project and have taken a great deal of time and interest getting to know the SLCEC organization which makes the Web site that much more effective. They are going to have a bright future!”

St. Louis County Economic Council (SLCEC) is a not-for-profit economic development organization dedicated to enhancing the well being of citizens, businesses and communities throughout St. Louis County and the St. Louis region. The SLCEC provides unique and diverse services to companies and communities through programs in each of its six areas of concentration: Business Development/Retention, Business Finance, Business Incubators, Center for Business Growth, Real Estate and Community Redevelopment and International Expertise through its World Trade Center St. Louis.
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St. Louis County Executive Charlie Dooley today revealed key recommendations for infrastructure improvements at the Mid-County Industrial Park east of I-170 at Page Avenue.

The recommendations resulted from a comprehensive Traffic and Transportation Needs Study funded by the County Executive’s office, the St. Louis County Economic Council, the City of Vinita Park, the Missouri Department of Transportation and business and property owners in the park. The group sought opportunities to improve access to the park, which is located along a dangerous and overcrowded stretch of Page Avenue. Over 2000 employees work in the area, doubling the population of Vinita Park every day, and access to the businesses is both difficult and dangerous.

Primary access to the Mid-County Industrial Park is via Page Avenue, a major east-west arterial through the St. Louis metropolitan area that carries in excess of 70,000 vehicles per day in some locations. Accident reports obtained from the Missouri Department of Transportation, St. Louis County and Overland police departments indicated that there were an average of 17 accidents per year along the Mid-County Industrial Park’s frontage, four of which resulted in injuries.
“Any time there are accidents that involve injuries it requires action,” said Bill Schnell, Area Engineer, Missouri Department of Transportation (MODOT).
“MODOT definitely supports the cooperative efforts of St. Louis County and the businesses and all the parties involved in finding a path toward improvement in this area,” Schnell said.

Dooley initiated support for the infrastructure improvements when he was County Councilman for the First District, and spoke to his continued support today.
“Cooperative efforts between the County, Vinita Park, the State and local businesses have taken us a long way toward understanding how to improve safety and accessibility at this key industrial park,” Dooley said. “The improvements will enable us to retain existing jobs and grow employment in mid-St. Louis County.”

The study, conducted by the traffic engineering firm Crawford, Bunte, Brammeier, recommended the following improvements announced by Dooley today. They include:

• Widening Page Avenue to a five-lane cross-section along the Industrial Park;
• Establishing a traffic signal at Page and Crystal Industrial;
• Closure of some industrial driveway access to Page from the Park;
• Provision of sidewalks, roadway lighting and crosswalks along the Park and at the new signal;
• Installation of four bus shelters, two on Page and two on Midland Avenue;
• Various access changes to the Industrial Park and surrounding roadways.

Total cost of the needed improvements is approximately $4 million.
“Working with the County and the businesses on the study assured that we delivered the best results that meet everyone’s needs,” said Virginia Bira, Mayor, Vinita Park.

“With these improvements, we’ll be able to preserve jobs and encourage existing businesses to make improvements and expand, and move new businesses into the park. We also anticipate that surrounding residential neighborhoods will benefit as well,” said Mayor Bira.

Businesses located at the Mid-County Industrial Park include Alcide Food Safety, Spectrum/United Industries, Bodine Aluminum, O’Brien Industries, ViJon Laboratories, U.S. Food Service and Atlas Cold Storage.

“Our major concern in getting this done is to assure the safety of our employees and associates – making sure they get to work safely and go home safely,” said John Brunner, Chief Executive Officer, ViJon Laboratories.

“The recommendations outlined in this study will provide bus shelters and access to our facility that provide that ease and safety for everyone that works at or visits ViJon.” ViJon participated in and supported the study.

“We thank the businesses and local government officials that worked with us and helped fund the study,” Dooley stated. “The next step is to get the improvements funded and underway, and we’re determined to make that happen. They’re a critical part of our continuing effort to support businesses and bring new jobs and employment to the citizens of St. Louis County.
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ST. LOUIS, September 23, 2004: St. Louis County Executive Charlie Dooley announced today that the Airport Area Redevelopment Commission received five proposals for redevelopment of the nearly 600 acres east of Lambert Field in St. Louis County.

“We are extremely pleased with the response to our request for proposals and with the quality of the proposals submitted by the development teams,” said Dooley.

On August 2, 2004 the Airport Area Redevelopment Commission issued a request for proposals to develop the 600 contiguous acres in North St. Louis County. The 11-member Commission, made up of representatives from the three affected municipalities, St. Louis County, St. Louis City, the State of Missouri, the University of Missouri and area business and community groups, is leading development of the land which has been unused since being purchased by the City of St. Louis to comply with Federal Aviation Administration noise restrictions.

The Commission plans to bring office and light industrial development to the area to create up to 12,000 jobs, $320 million in property and income tax revenue, and a total economic impact of approximately $7 billion to the communities, St. Louis County and the region.

“To date, we have fully executed an unprecedented intergovernmental agreement representing various sectors of government and the community to develop this site, and have passed the first cross-jurisdictional Tax Increment Financing legislation in County history, and have applied for St. Louis County’s first Super TIF from the State of Missouri,” Dooley stated.

“This is the next step in realizing our comprehensive plan to bring businesses and thousands of jobs to an area of St. Louis County in great need of revitalization,” Dooley said.

The 600 acres east of Lambert Field is unused or underutilized property that makes up the largest single area of land, not in a flood plain, available for redevelopment in St. Louis County. The Commission was created to oversee its development and bring a unified approach to the project. That approach will lower development costs, achieve consistency of design and marketing, maximize jobs and investment and allow for revenue sharing among the municipalities.

The proposals received yesterday were submitted by Duke Realty; McEagle/Claycorp/TriStar; Panattoni Development Company with Colliers Turley Martin Tucker; Roberts Companies with Prologis; and Summit Development Group with HOK, McCarthy Construction and Kwame Building Group.

The five proposals received indicated that:

• All developers and development teams propose redevelopment of the entire 600-acrea area,
• All are committed to providing public improvements for the communities,
• Proposed job creation ranges from 9,000 to 13,000 jobs,
• The development budgets range from $400 to $500 million, and
• Each proposes a total economic impact of between $6 to $7 billion.

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Expansion Will Help Preserve 1000 Jobs; Increase Employment by 300
St. Louis County Executive Charlie Dooley will ask the St. Louis County Council to proceed with the legislative process authorizing a mechanism to provide partial tax incentives for the KV Pharmaceutical Company expansion in Maryland Heights, MO, Bridgeton, MO and unincorporated St. Louis County.

KV Pharmaceutical Company, headquartered in St. Louis, has distinguished itself with nine consecutive years of record-breaking growth, and has consistently ranked as one of America’s fastest-growing small companies, most recently by Forbes in its October 2003 issue. The company achieved more than $283.9 million in revenues for fiscal 2004 and employs over 1000 people in the St. Louis area.

KV Pharmaceutical had considered outsourcing an increasing number of research and development and production operations, but worked with St. Louis County to reach an agreement allowing for local investment. The tax abatement Dooley is requesting will enable the company to invest in Maryland Heights, Bridgeton and unincorporated St. Louis County.

The abatement is set at 50 percent over a 10-year period. Real property investments are estimated at $117 million and personal property or equipment is estimated at $13 million. Included in the investment is approximately $1 million that will not be abated.

“This is a tremendous success for our business retention and expansion efforts in St. Louis County,” said St. Louis County Executive Charlie Dooley. “Keeping and growing a pharmaceutical company with the outstanding growth and performance record of KV Pharmaceutical is extremely important to our future. Five years ago, this company employed 300; today they employ over 1000. The additional 300 jobs the company plans to create will pay over $60,000 per year.

“We’re excited and pleased that this premier organization has opted to stay and grow in St. Louis County, creating new, high-paying jobs in our community and continuing to build our critical life sciences industry here at home,” Dooley said.
As part of the project, KV Pharmaceutical is finalizing the terms of a community partnership arrangement that will result in contributions by the company to the Pattonville, Parkway and Hazelwood school districts.

Dooley is requesting that the Council approves a Resolution of Official Intent stating its intention to issue the mechanism, subject to compliance with statutory requirements and final approval of the terms of the transaction by the County Council. He is asking the County Council to consider the Resolution of Intent on September 28, 2004.
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ST. LOUIS, August 5, 2004: St. Louis County Executive Charlie Dooley will ask the St. Louis County Council to proceed with the legislative process authorizing the issuance of $17 million in Industrial Revenue Bonds to provide financing for the GMAC Insurance Headquarters project to be located in Maryland Heights, MO.

GMAC Insurance currently maintains its corporate headquarters in two office buildings in Earth City, MO. The company proposes to retain its headquarters in St. Louis County by moving to the 317,000 square foot Riverport Tower office building in Maryland Heights. The project is estimated to entail $4.6 million in improvements and $8.1 million for fixtures, furniture and equipment.

GMAC Insurance plans to locate 850 full-time, part-time and temporary employees and contractors into the new headquarters, and has secured expansion flexibility to accommodate 300 additional employees over the next 10 years. The majority of this growth is anticipated to be highly skilled insurance industry customer representatives.

“Keeping a company like GMAC Insurance here in St. Louis County is critically important, and the County competed against other parts of the metropolitan area and other states to retain them here,” said Dooley.
“We are delighted to have the opportunity to work with them to establish a new headquarters that meets their needs and bring more high-skilled jobs to the area,” he said.

On July 13, the County Council, at Dooley’s request, approved the resolution that will provide for the County to work with GMAC Insurance and reflects the intent of the County Council to support a Chapter 100 bond financing type mechanism for the project that will result in partial tax abatement. The abatement is set at 50 percent over a 10-year period. The resolution will allow GMAC Insurance to proceed with the real estate improvements and equipment purchases associated with the project.

Dooley is now requesting the Council take the next step in moving the financing forward.

“This project will be a real boon to GMAC Insurance and to St. Louis County,” said John Gaskin, Senior Vice President – Economic Development and Deputy General Counsel, Duke Realty.

“The company’s decision, facilitated by St. Louis County’s support, will keep high-quality jobs in the area and create even more of them over the coming years”, Gaskin said.

“We are pleased to be able to remain and expand in St. Louis County,” said Mike Ernst, Facilities Manager at GMAC Insurance Personal Lines.

“Not only is it a great place to live and do business, St. Louis County has been extremely supportive. We considered a lot of locations, and are very pleased that this turned out to be the best choice, thanks in large part to the County’s involvement.”

GMAC Insurance Personal Lines is a wholly-owned subsidiary of GMAC Management Corporation and is an integral component and subsidiary of GMAC Financial Services. GMAC Insurance Personal Lines offers automobile, motorcycle, recreational vehicle, homeowners and umbrella liability insurance. In 2003, GMAC Insurance Personal Lines had over $1.3 billion in written premiums.

Additional Contacts:
John Gaskin
Senior Vice President – Economic Development and Deputy General Counsel
Duke Realty Corporation
(770) 638-2610
Nigel D. Alston
Director, Employee/Community Relations
GMAC Insurance Personal Lines
336.770.2497
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ST. LOUIS, July 28, 2004: Approximately 600 contiguous acres in St. Louis County will become available for sale and development next week as part of what St. Louis County Executive Charlie Dooley calls “the greatest reinvestment project in the history of St. Louis County.”

The Lambert Airport Eastern Perimeter Joint Development Commission and the St. Louis County Economic Council will release a request for qualifications and proposals (RFP) for development of the area east of Lambert Airport in St. Louis County on August 2, 2004.

The 600 acres of unused or underutilized land near Lambert Airport offer a unique opportunity for commercial and industrial development. Located in the heart of the St. Louis business and industrial corridor close to major highways, MetroLink access and a major international airport, the acreage will be extremely attractive for business development. St. Louis County, the City of St. Louis, the local municipalities and community and business groups are working together to lead development and marketing of the area. This unified approach will result in consistency of design and marketing, high-quality development, lower costs and creation of more jobs and greater revenue.

“This project offers St. Louis County an unprecedented development opportunity,” said Dooley.
“This is the largest single area of land, not in a flood plain, available for development in St. Louis County. The fact that so much land is available for development adjacent to the airport, major highways and MetroLink resources, as well as the University of Missouri-St. Louis, creates a terrific opportunity for businesses, the County, and the local municipalities,” Dooley said.

The project is expected to deliver benefits of 12,000 jobs, property and income tax revenue of $320 million, and a total economic impact of $7 billion.

“A unique partnership of local and state governments and community groups have made this possible,” said Dooley, “and this unprecedented opportunity shows what intergovernmental cooperation and public/private collaboration can achieve.”

The Lambert Airport Eastern Perimeter Joint Development Commission, consisting of representatives from St. Louis County, St. Louis City, the State of Missouri, Berkeley, Kinloch, Ferguson and other public and private sector groups, is publishing the RFP. The Commission will act as master developer for the project, and is seeking sub-developers to acquire and develop property within the area.

“We’re looking for sub-developers who are able to deliver quality proposals and who can demonstrate their ability to develop and market the property,” said Dooley. “We’re also looking for proposals that maximize the number of jobs created and promote women and minority participation in the project.”

The RFP calls for a development plan that:

• Is attractive and job intensive and enhances the area
• Delivers a positive long-term economic impact and creates new employment and business opportunities for the region’s citizens
• Maximizes tax and other revenue to the County, the local municipalities and the State of Missouri
• Complies with FAA requirements
• Provides for public improvements outside the development area but within the local municipalities of Berkeley, Kinloch and Ferguson

The redevelopment effort will benefit from its status as a state Enterprise Zone and a federal HUB Zone. Interested parties can purchase a complete RFP package that will provide all specifications needed to submit a proposal for $250 on or after Monday, August 2, 2004 by contacting Jaqueline Davis-Wellington, (314) 615-3962. Proposals are due by 12:00 p.m. Wednesday, September 22, 2004.
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ST. LOUIS, June 14, 2004: John Temporiti has been named Executive Vice President for Business and Intergovernmental Relations for the St. Louis County Economic Council (SLCEC), the economic development arm of St. Louis County government. In this position, Temporiti will serve as liaison between the Economic Council and St. Louis County and area business, economic development, chamber, municipal, civic and other community organizations.

Denny Coleman, President and Chief Executive Officer of the SLCEC, made the announcement today.

“John is a proven leader in business and government and we are delighted to have him join our staff,” Coleman said.

Charlie Dooley, St. Louis County Executive, agreed.

“John is a great addition to an already strong team at the Economic Council,” Dooley said. “He brings substantial expertise and leadership to St. Louis County and to our critical economic development efforts here.”

Temporiti was most recently the President of Vanliner Insurance Company, a subsidiary of Unigroup, Inc. He was also President and Chief Operating Officer of Mayflower Transit, Inc. and served as Executive Vice President of Corporate Services for the Unigroup Companies.

Prior to joining Unigroup, Temporiti was with the law firm of Gallop, Johnson & Newman, LLC where he served on the management committee in the Corporate Law Department. He also chaired the Administrative and Government Law Department there. Before that, Temporiti served as Chief of Staff to the Mayor of St. Louis City.

Temporiti is deeply involved in the St. Louis-area community, serving on multiple boards and committees for organizations that have included Alexian Brothers Health Systems, Chaminade College Preparatory School, the Civic Entrepreneurs Organization, Downtown, Inc., the Regional Commerce and Growth Association’s Legislative Committee, the St. Louis Symphony’s Legislative Committee, and the Missouri Economic Development Governor’s Committee. Temporiti lives in Sunset Hills and is married with four children.

The St. Louis County Economic Council (www.slcec.com) provides innovative solutions to companies and communities through business development, financing programs, business incubator opportunities, real estate and community development programs, and international expertise through the WORLD TRADE CENTER St. Louis.
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ST. LOUIS, May 24, 2004: Survey results show that South St. Louis County residents strongly support the Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc. casino development proposal for the National Lead site in Lemay.

The survey, conducted earlier this month by Dr. Terrence Jones of the University of Missouri, St. Louis, indicates that 54 percent of South County citizens favor the casino development, and 41 percent oppose it. Of those respondents who characterized themselves as having followed the casino issue very closely, 66 percent supported the proposed development, with only 31 percent opposing it.

Responses to the survey question regarding location of a South County casino were particularly strong. South County respondents favored the Pinnacle proposal for the National Lead site over development at the Jefferson Barracks Bridge location by 57 percent to 17 percent.

“South County residents are sending a strong message that they recognize that the Lemay area needs help, and that casino development at the National Lead site is the best way to give this community a strong economic development boost,” said Charlie Dooley, St. Louis County Executive.

The survey follows an earlier survey of registered voters in the Lemay community only. (The earlier survey, conducted in March 2004, indicated that 76 percent of Lemay residents favor gaming development at the National Lead site. Only 19 percent oppose the development.) The second survey was performed in order to understand citizen reaction to casino development across South St. Louis County, and except for the initial pro/con question, included only respondents from areas of South County not surveyed before.

The survey asked 303 South St. Louis County registered voters how they view the proposed plan for redeveloping the National Lead site, obtained their reactions about how the proposed amenities would help South County, assessed their reaction to various reasons to oppose or support the redevelopment, gathered their location preferences about casinos, and measured casino patronage.

Results show that 57 percent of respondents have been to a St. Louis area casino in the past two years.

“Clearly, South St. Louis County citizens are already attending casinos,” said Dooley. “But with no facility available in the South County area at this time, they are taking their patronage away from the community that would most benefit from it and spending their entertainment dollars elsewhere.”

Pinnacle Entertainment’s proposed $300 million development for Lemay includes a casino, hotel, shopping mall, bowling alley and movie theater. Pinnacle also plans to build a new road along River Des Peres that will connect the development with Interstate 55 and provide the opportunity for further economic development. Pinnacle will also provide amenities for the Lemay community, including an aquatic and community center, sports fields, a nature walk and an outdoor band shell.

The development is expected to deliver $25.5 million in revenues to local taxing jurisdictions during the first year, create 2,000 permanent and 1,000 construction jobs, and provide environmental remediation to the contaminated National Lead site.

“The Lemay community is in great need of redevelopment, and plans for comprehensive improvement for the community are already in progress,” said Denny Coleman, president and chief executive officer, St. Louis County Economic Council.

“The revenue from the Pinnacle development is the best and only way to fund those plans and implement the comeback for the residents of Lemay. These latest survey results show that the vast majority of South County citizens recognize this fact and strongly support moving forward,” Coleman said.

On February 10, the St. Louis County Port Authority Board of Commissioners unanimously accepted the St. Louis County Gaming Selection Committee’s recommendation of the Pinnacle Entertainment proposal for casino development at the National Lead site. Pinnacle was also selected by the City of St. Louis to develop a companion casino at Laclede’s Landing.

The St. Louis County Economic Council (www.slcec.com) provides innovative solutions to companies and communities through business development, financing programs, business incubator opportunities, real estate and community development programs, and international expertise through the WORLD TRADE CENTER St. Louis. It also provides staff and services to the St. Louis County Port Authority.
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FORD HAZELWOOD TASK FORCE HONORED
BY GOVERNOR HOLDEN

Task Force Receives “Urban Area Project of the Year” Award

ST. LOUIS – Missouri Governor Bob Holden today presented the Ford Hazelwood Task Force and its public/private Working Group with Missouri’s “Urban Area Project of the Year” award. Hazelwood Mayor T. R. Carr accepted the award on the Task Force’s behalf at the 46th Annual Governor’s Business Development Conference at the Lake of the Ozarks.

The award was given in recognition of the Task Force’s 18-month effort to retain the Ford Assembly Plant in Hazelwood, North St. Louis County. The plant employs more than 2,600 high-wage workers in the production of the Ford Explorer, the best-selling SUV in America, and the Mercury Mountaineer and Lincoln Aviator.

In January 2002, Ford Motor Company announced its intent to shut down the Hazelwood operation by mid-decade. The direct and indirect impact of the plant closing was estimated to include a loss of over 11,500 jobs and $2 billion to the St. Louis region.

Governor Holden immediately appointed a 23-member task force of public- and private-sector leaders to build a strong business case that would convince Ford to keep the plant open. The effort was funded through a grant from the U. S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) secured by the St. Louis County Economic Council. Matching funds were provided by the Economic Council, St. Louis County, the State of Missouri, the City of Hazelwood, and the St. Louis Regional Chamber and Growth Association. Individuals from these organizations, along with representatives of United Auto Workers Local 325, AmerenUE, St. Louis Community College and Laclede Gas used a “core working group concept” to analyze the major issues and develop a business case.

The result was a commitment by Ford Motor Company to keep the plant open through September, 2007 and to install more than $100 million in new equipment in the plant.

“We are extremely pleased by the Governor’s recognition of all the time and effort dedicated to this large retention project,” said Charlie Dooley, St. Louis County Executive. “The time and resources St. Louis County committed to the Task Force was well rewarded with the retention of so many jobs and significant income for North St. Louis County.”

“We truly believe that the lessons learned through this process will be valuable in future efforts to keep and grow major economic drivers in the County and the St. Louis region,” said Denny Coleman, President and Chief Executive Officer, St. Louis County Economic Council. “The Task Force’s success to date is more proof of the power of regional collaboration, and this award is well deserved.”

The St. Louis County Economic Council (www.slcec.com) provides innovative solutions to companies and communities through business development, financing programs, business incubator opportunities, real estate and community development programs, and international expertise through the WORLD TRADE CENTER St. Louis.
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ST. LOUIS COUNTY ECONOMIC COUNCIL EXECUTIVE
ENTERS NADCO HALL OF FAME

Palank Honored by National Association of Development Companies

ST. LOUIS, May 12, 2004: St. Louis County Economic Council Senior Vice President Rick Palank was inducted into the National Association of Development Companies (NADCO) Hall of Fame in May, 2004.

Palank, Senior Vice President of Business Finance for the St. Louis County Economic Council, is chief operating officer of one of the largest Small Business Association 504 certified development companies in the country, and chief operating officer of the St. Louis County Industrial Development Authority, the issuer of tax-exempt industrial development bonds for St. Louis County.

In 1994, Palank founded the Saint Louis Business Development Fund (BDF), the only for-profit multi-bank community development corporation that serves the entire St. Louis region. The BDF is owned by 24 area banks and the three largest economic development agencies in the area, and makes loans and investments to small- and medium- sized companies that demonstrate significant promise for success, but are unable to obtain all or part of their capital needs from conventional sources.

Selection of NADCO Hall of Fame recipients is made each year by the Association’s past presidents. Palank, a founding member of NADCO, was selected for his involvement in NADCO’s training programs, his leadership in the industry’s ongoing efforts to minimize default rates on loans, and his dedication to the principles of economic development through the St. Louis County Economic Council’s business incubator and financing programs.

“Rick was one of the original employees of the St. Louis County Economic Council when it was established 20 years ago,” said Denny Coleman, president and chief executive officer, St. Louis County Economic Council. “In the past two decades, he has made our Business Finance operation an invaluable tool to business development in the County through his deft management of existing programs and his innovation in developing new ones.”

“Congratulations to Rick Palank on this Hall of Fame honor, which he richly deserves,” said Charlie Dooley, St. Louis County Executive. “We’re counting on Rick being just as productive in the next 20 years as he has in the last.”

The St. Louis County Economic Council (www.slcec.com) provides innovative solutions to companies and communities through business development, financing programs, business incubator opportunities, real estate and community development programs, and international expertise through the WORLD TRADE CENTER St. Louis.
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DOOLEY NAMES JOHN TEMPORITI CHAIR OF
AIRPORT AREA REDEVELOPMENT INTERGOVERNMENTAL COMMISSION

First Commission Meeting To Be Held April 6

ST. LOUIS, April 5, 2004: St. Louis County Executive Charlie Dooley has named John J. Temporiti as chair of the Airport Area Redevelopment Intergovernmental Commission. The 11-member Commission will oversee the redevelopment of the approximately 475 acres of land east of Lambert Field in St. Louis County.

Temporiti is president and chief operating officer of Vanliner Insurance Company and was also president of Mayflower Vanlines. Both are subsidiaries of UniGroup, Inc., a private, multi-billion dollar transportation company based in Fenton, Missouri. Vanliner Insurance is currently the largest provider of insurance products to the moving and storage industry in North America. Before joining UniGroup, Inc. in 1997, Temporiti was a partner at Gallop, Johnson and Neuman, chairing the Governmental and Administrative Department.

Temporiti is deeply involved in the St. Louis-area community, serving on multiple boards and committees for organizations which have included Alexian Brothers Health Systems, Chaminade College Preparatory School, the Civic Entrepreneurs Organization, Downtown, Inc., the Regional Commerce and Growth Association’s Legislative Committee, the St. Louis Symphony’s Legislative Committee, and the Missouri Economic Development Governor’s Committee. Temporiti served as chief of staff to the mayor of St. Louis from 1981 to 1985. As St. Louis County’s appointee, Temporiti automatically becomes chair of the Commission for the first three years of operations.

“John’s extensive leadership experience and dedication to the St. Louis region make him the ideal person to chair this commission,” said Dooley.

“All the parties involved have worked extremely hard to come to an unprecedented cooperative agreement on how best to drive development of this land and maximize the benefits for everyone. Now the real work of moving the redevelopment forward begins, and John has the proven record of accomplishment and cooperation needed to lead this critical effort,” Dooley said.
Temporiti will chair an 11-member commission with representatives from all parties involved in the redevelopment effort. Commission members are:

• Patricia Barnett, appointee of Metropolitan Congregations United
• Rick Finholt, Executive Director, Missouri Research Park, appointee of the University of Missouri
• Joseph King, City Manager, City of Berkeley, appointee of Berkeley
• A. J. Krieger, City Manager, City of Ferguson, appointee of Ferguson
• Stephen Lewis, President, Umpire Industries, representing the business sector (to be confirmed)
• Howard Nimmons, Chairman, North County Inc., appointee of NCI
• Felicia Pulliam-Jones, Economic Development Consultant, City of Kinloch, appointee of Kinloch
• Ward Stoll, Vice President, IMR, appointee of the City of Berkeley
• Michael West, Business Development Executive, AmerenUE, appointee of the State of Missouri
• Otis Williams, Deputy Director, St. Louis Development Corporation, appointee of the City of St. Louis

The Airport Area Redevelopment project is an effort to take a unified approach to redeveloping unused and underutilized land near Lambert Field for commercial, light industrial and office use. The airport-owned land lies in the municipalities of Berkeley, Kinloch and Ferguson, and is the largest single area of land, not in a flood plain, available for redevelopment in St. Louis County.

By bringing government, private-sector and community groups together to take a unified approach to this redevelopment effort, the Redevelopment Commission will lower development costs, provide consistency in design and marketing, deliver more job-intensive businesses as tenants, maximize public investment dollars, and make municipal revenue sharing possible. The effort is expected to deliver benefits of 12,000 jobs, $320 million in property and income tax revenue, and an overall economic impact of more than $7 billion.

At the first Commission meeting on April 6, members will review background materials including the land use plan which has been developed and elect Commission officers. The meeting will be held at 4:30 p.m. at 121 S. Meramec, Clayton, Missouri.
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LEMAY RESIDENTS STRONGLY SUPPORT CASINO DEVELOPMENT

Citizens Favor Gaming Development at National Lead Site by 76 – 19 Percent

ST. LOUIS, April 1, 2004: Survey results show that a strong majority of Lemay community residents are in favor of casino development at the National Lead site in Lemay.

A survey of 308 Lemay residents, selected at random from a list of all registered voters in that community, indicates that 76 percent favor gaming development at the NL site. Only 19 percent oppose the development. Among the respondents who indicate that their position is “strongly held,” 57 percent favor the development and 15 percent oppose it.

St. Louis County Executive Charlie Dooley requested the study to verify the strong level of support for the development that exists among Lemay citizens. “The survey results confirm scientifically what we’ve known anecdotally -- that the overwhelming majority of Lemay residents are in favor of the development of a gaming facility in their community,” said Dooley.

“Lemay citizens recognize the job creation, economic development and tax revenue benefits that a casino would deliver to their community, and they support it,” added Denny Coleman, president and chief executive officer of the St. Louis County Economic Council and chairman of the Gaming Selection Committee.

Pinnacle Entertainment’s $300 million development includes a casino, hotel, shopping mall, bowling alley and movie theater. Pinnacle also plans to build a new road along River Des Peres that will connect the development with Interstate 55.

Survey results also indicate that respondents recognize that the value of the additional community amenities included in the gaming development proposal would strongly benefit the area. For example, 85 percent indicate that an aquatic and community center would help the Lemay community a great deal or somewhat. Similarly, 79 percent say that sports fields would help the community a great deal or somewhat.

The survey sample was drawn from a list of all registered voters in the Lemay Census Place District. Only those respondents who indicated that they currently live in the Lemay community were included. At the 95 percent confidence level, the sampling error is approximately plus-or-minus 5.5 percent. Interviews were conducted between February 24 and February 26, 2004 and results were compiled last month. The survey was designed and directed by Dr. E. Terrence Jones, professor of Political Science, University of Missouri, St. Louis.

On February 10, the St. Louis County Port Authority Board of Commissioners accepted the St. Louis County Gaming Selection Committee’s conclusion that Pinnacle Entertainment ranks first as developer for a casino in South St. Louis County. Pinnacle was also selected by the City of St. Louis to develop a companion casino at Laclede’s Landing. The Selection Committee had eliminated a third developer, Harrah’s Entertainment, from consideration in January.

The St. Louis County Economic Council (www.slcec.com) provides innovative solutions to companies and communities through business development, financing programs, business incubator opportunities, real estate and community development programs, and international expertise through the WORLD TRADE CENTER St. Louis. It also provides staff and services to the St. Louis County Port Authority.
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St. Louis County Port Authority Board
Accepts Gaming Selection Committee Analysis and Ranking

ST. LOUIS, February 10, 2004 – The St. Louis County Port Authority Board of Commissioners today accepted the St. Louis County Gaming Selection Committee’s conclusion that Pinnacle Entertainment ranks first as developer for a casino in South St. Louis County.

Pinnacle, which proposed development at the NL Industries site in South St. Louis County, was ranked first over Isle of Capri Casinos, Inc. (The Selection Committee eliminated a third developer, Harrah’s Entertainment, from consideration last month.) Pinnacle was recently selected by the City of St. Louis to develop a companion casino at Laclede’s Landing.

Denny Coleman, president and chief executive officer of the St. Louis County Economic Council and chair of the Gaming Selection Committee, praised both Isle of Capri and Harrah’s for their excellent operations and strong proposals. He stated that the Selection Committee felt that the Pinnacle proposal ranked at the top for South St. Louis County.

“The NL Industries site and Pinnacle’s proposal are ideal in terms of bringing economic development to the area where it is most needed,” Coleman said. “Proposed infrastructure improvements and a new roadway will create the opportunity for additional investment and economic opportunity.

“In addition, the size and quality of the proposed Pinnacle facilities, along with the economic benefits to all taxing jurisdictions, were similar to the Isle proposal,” Coleman added, “although Isle’s latest enhancements made a difficult decision even more difficult. These enhancements make Isle of Capri an even stronger second choice.”

• Proposed Pinnacle benefits include:
• A $300 million direct investment
• Creation of 2000 jobs
• $200 million in benefits to local taxing jurisdictions over 10 years
• $12 million to fire districts
• $43 million to school districts
• A minimum of $40 million to community development funds

Coleman also noted that the Missouri Gaming Commission is open to considering a proposal for the NL site, although they rejected a development at that location in the past. He also pointed out that Pinnacle was able to demonstrate its ability to raise sufficient capital to develop casinos at both the South St. Louis County and downtown St. Louis locations.

The next step in the process is the negotiation of a development agreement between Pinnacle and the Port Authority. This negotiation will take place over the next 60 days. Assuming a successful agreement is finalized at that time, the Port Authority Board will recommend that the St. Louis County Council adopt legislation ratifying the selection of Pinnacle as the developer for a casino in South St. Louis County.

The Gaming Selection Committee held a public meeting in South St. Louis County on February 4, 2004, to hear from local citizens and groups about the impact of casino development in their community. The majority of nearly 1000 attendees spoke out in favor of gaming development and its economic benefits. Others, however, voiced concerns and opposition to bringing a casino to their community.

The Selection Committee stated that input from all sides had been deeply appreciated, and as casino development proceeded, preventative and curative measures recommended by the National Gaming Impact Study Commission would be included in those plans.

“It’s taken a tremendous amount of work to get to this point, and I want to thank the Selection Committee, the Port Authority Board, our consultants and all three developers who submitted proposals for their remarkable efforts to date,” said Sheila Sweeney, chairman of the board, St. Louis County Port Authority and member, St. Louis County Gaming Selection Committee.

“We are extremely confident that all due diligence has been performed, and that the Selection Committee and Port Authority have made the determination that will deliver the strongest benefit to the citizens of South St. Louis County, and the County as a whole,” Sweeney added.
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ST. LOUIS COUNTY GAMING SELECTION COMMITTEE
NARROWS FIELD TO TWO CASINO DEVELOPERS

ST. LOUIS, January 14, 2004: The St. Louis County Gaming Selection Committee announced today that it has made the following determinations regarding casino development in South St. Louis County:

The Selection Committee has removed Harrah’s Entertainment from further consideration. Harrah’s proposed development at a site near the Jefferson Barracks Bridge, but proposed no companion development in the City of St. Louis. The Committee felt that the absence of a companion proposal for development in the City was a significant concern, given the Missouri Gaming Commission’s stated priority of casino development downtown. Committee members praised the quality of Harrah’s proposal, however, as well as its outstanding operation and management team.

The Committee further announced that it will take an additional month to analyze the proposals from Isle of Capri Casinos, Inc. and Pinnacle Entertainment. These companies proposed development at sites in both South St. Louis County and St. Louis City. The extra weeks will enable the Committee time for further analysis of the proposals and the opportunity to analyze the Missouri Gaming Commission reaction to the City of St. Louis’s gaming determination.

Finally, the Selection Committee announced that there will be no further consideration of revenue sharing between St. Louis County and the City of St. Louis.

“In our extensive examination of the proposals from these developers, we determined that both the Isle of Capri and Pinnacle proposals were strong enough to stand on their own,” said Denny Coleman, president and chief executive officer, St. Louis County Economic Council, and chair of the Selection Committee.

“In each case, the development in the City and the development in the County would be financially sound, and support from the other entity would be unnecessary,” Coleman said.

The St. Louis County Economic Council/St. Louis County Port Authority received proposals from the three gaming developers in response to a Request for Proposals issued by the Economic Council on behalf of the St. Louis County Port Authority and St. Louis County.

The Selection Committee expects to make its final recommendation to the Port Authority at the next Port Authority Board of Directors meeting on February 10. The Port Authority, if it accepts the recommendation, will then pass that recommendation on to the St. Louis County Council. The Missouri Gaming Commission has the final authority to approve gaming licenses in the state.

The St. Louis County Economic Council (www.slcec.com) provides innovative solutions to companies and communities through business development, financing programs, business incubator opportunities, real estate and community development programs, and international expertise through the WORLD TRADE CENTER St. Louis. It also provides staff and services to the St. Louis County Port Authority.
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