| Today's Headlines |
|
| INTRODUCTION |
As we move into 2008, the thoughts of new beginnings ring throughout St. Louis County.
The Economic Council recently celebrated the graduation of three former tenants in our Wellston Enterprise Center. These small business owners established and grew their companies while at our incubator. Strong enough to “office” on their own, they are now experiencing a fresh start in their new locations throughout the County.
By simply driving around the region, you will see the abundance of new construction taking place in every corner of the County. From Pinnacle to Edward Jones, Visteon to Express Scripts, our region is developing the potential for a significant increase in employment opportunities.
The new year also brings important changes along Highway 40/I-64. Once completed, our new and improved transportation artery will create a positive impact for industry and residents throughout the heart of the St. Louis metropolitan area.
This is just a snapshot of the positive economic growth occurring in 2008. To help assist your business to a great start, contact the St. Louis County Economic Council. We will show you how and why numerous industries have found St. Louis County to be the ideal place for a successful and prosperous new beginning.
Denny Coleman
President and CEO |
|
|
| WELLSTON ENTERPRISE CENTER CELEBRATES GRADUATES |
In mid-December, St. Louis County Executive Charlie A. Dooley and SLCEC President and CEO Denny Coleman hosted a special graduation ceremony at the Wellston Enterprise Center.
The event celebrated the success of three companies that grew and built their businesses in the Wellston incubator and have become strong enough to establish independent office locations on their own.
Also present at the ceremony was Emily Pitts with Edward Jones. The company was instrumental in the initial construction and operation of the Wellston Enterprise Center by contributing over $800,000 towards the project.
 |
| St. Louis County Executive Charlie A. Dooley and Emily Pitts of Edward Johns join SLCEC President Denny Coleman in recognizing recent graduates of the Wellston Enterprise Center. |
Those recognized for their business achievements include:
BRK ELECTRICAL CONTRACTORS, LLC – Founded by Marion A. Hayes, III, BRK is a certified minority business enterprise performing electrical construction services for commercial and industrial markets. The company has been recognized with various awards such as the ‘2004 Entrepreneur of the Year; from the National Society of Black Engineers–St. Louis Chapter and ‘2003 Minority Emerging Business of the Year’ from the St. Louis RCGA, St. Louis American Foundation, and the Urban League of St. Louis. The company has relocated their offices to Overland.
GSM Development – GSM Development is a technology company that provides services to the utility industry to help stabilize and improve the reliability of power supply. GSM also provides strategic, technical, and engineering services to help energy and energy-related businesses develop new and optimize the productivity of existing assets. Owned and operated by Gwen Mizell, GSM has experienced tremendous growth and recently moved their operations to Clayton.
Tracker Communications, LLC – President and CEO Christopher Faulkner founded the company in 2004 after hearing a Charter Communications executive express his concern about not having enough high-quality contractors. Faulkner capitalized on the ideas and established Trackers Communications. The company performs a variety of duties including retrieving cable boxes, completing disconnect services, and collecting payments. With more than 30 employees, Tracker Communications is located in Pagedale.
In congratulating the successful efforts of the three graduates, County Executive Dooley stated, “We recognize the many challenges small business owners face when starting out. You have put countless hours of hard work, commitment, and heart into your companies, and it has paid off not only for you but for the residents of St. Louis County.”
Under the guidance of the St. Louis County Economic Council, the Wellston Enterprise Center is among three other Enterprise Centers, (Midtown, South County, and West County) providing start ups with affordable office and warehouse space, shared support services, mentoring, and valuable networking opportunities. |
|
|
| MATRIX PACKAGING SEES PARTNERSHIP IN HAZELWOOD |
 Matrix Packaging, a leading manufacturer of plastic containers, announced they will open a new production facility in the City of Hazelwood. The company will invest nearly $15 million into the Lindbergh Distribution Center and initially employ 75 people.
“This was a classic textbook case in successful economic development partnerships,” stated Mike Heimericks, senior project manager for the Missouri Department of Economic Development.
Matrix Packaging originally contacted Heimericks who in turn worked with Doug Rasmussen from the RCGA to identify potential sites on the Missouri side of the St. Louis region.
Steve Anderson, SLCEC vice president for business development and Monica Conners, project manager, worked with company officials, DED, and RCGA to conduct site tours and promote a variety of locations that would suit the company’s needs.
“All parties worked together to present the best case for the region. We want to especially acknowledge David Cox, director of economic development for Hazelwood and Jon Hinds of Duke Realty, who helped finalize the proposal once the company focused on the Lindbergh Distribution Center,” noted Anderson.
“Another important aspect of the project was the use of the State’s Enhanced Enterprise Zone (EEZ) program,” Anderson said. “The EEZ played an important role in demonstrating how state and local governments can “incentivize” industries to create sustainable jobs in specially targeted areas.”
The EEZ benefits and Hazelwood’s efforts made the difference in the success of the project reported Anderson and Conners.
Matrix, which makes plastic bottles for Proctor & Gamble, will occupy 150,000 square feet of the facility. It is anticipated the company will eventually double their workforce. |
|
| |
|
| ST. LOUIS ENTERPRISE CENTER SHOWCASE: MIDTOWN |
The Midtown Enterprise Center is an unique demonstration of city-county cooperation, which has proven to be a benefit for our region. Located at 3830 Washington Avenue, the facility is owned by the St. Louis Development Corporation (SLDC), which helped fund the initial development of the incubator.
 SLDC contracted with the Economic Council to serve as the on-site property manager. SLCEC handles all marketing of the facility to prospective clients.
“It turned out to be a perfect partnership,” stated Denny Coleman, president and CEO of the St. Louis County Economic Council. “SLDC found a great facility and location, and we have an established track record of managing successful incubators in the region.”
Opening its doors in 1994, the 35,000-square-foot facility features office and warehouse/production space for up to 30 companies. Its close proximity to downtown St. Louis and Saint Louis University are other key assets of the Midtown Center.
The Enterprise Center has gained special recognition serving as the region’s only kitchen incubator. This one-of-a-kind operation provides first-lass commercial kitchen space for budding entrepreneurs interested in starting a business in the food industry.
“We have tenants that make everything from pizza to delectable chocolate candies. In fact, one company supplies the St. Louis Cardinals with brownies and other tasty treats,” noted Coleman.
“The kitchen incubator is becoming a great investment, paying dividends to the whole region,” he added. |
|
|
| COMMUNITY PROFILES: AFFTON, MARYLAND HEIGHTS, AND CREVE COUER |
|
Affton – While not an incorporated city, Affton is a special community of dedicated residents located in South County. Served by Interstate 270 and Highway 30 (Gravois Road), Affton has long been recognized as an ideal location for families and businesses.
“For over 50 years, the Affton Chamber of Commerce has served as the core of the area’s marketing and promotional efforts,” says Joan Edleson, executive director of the Chamber.
The Chamber works with St. Louis County to create growth and investment for the region’s benefit. It has focused on economic development, transportation, educational excellence, retail growth, and community pride as major issues to create a strategy of growth and progress.
In a demonstration of Affton’s economic attractiveness, the Kerry Group, an Ireland-based food ingredient manufacturer, purchased the former Nestle plant and will invest $18 million in the facility while creating 150 new jobs.
“Affton is a unique place because of the vision we share,” stated Rich Whited, president of the Affton Chamber of Commerce. “We have demonstrated a commitment to make Affton a great place to build a family and a business.”
Maryland Heights – Incorporated in 1985, Maryland Heights is located just south of intersection I-70 and I-270, the busiest intersection in Missouri. Several major destinations like Lambert Airport are just a short drive away.
Maryland Heights is home to over 27,345 people with half the population between the ages of 14 and 44. Its strategic location has drawn the attention of nearly 2,000 businesses, which employ more than 55,000 people throughout the region. In addition the city boasts 21 hotels with more than 3,600 rooms.
“Maryland Heights is truly on an upswing,” states Mayor G. Michael Moeller. “From the construction of a new city hall to major expansions at Edward Jones, our community is seeing growth in all areas.”
Maryland Heights has a unique, balanced mixture of hospitality, wholesale, retail, manufacturing, and service industries. Major employers in the area include Edward Jones, Magellan Behavioral Health, and Harrah's Casino.
 Creve Coeur – Located within the heart of the St. Louis metropolitan region along Interstate 270, Creve Coeur is an established, affluent suburban community of approximately 16,800 with a daytime population of more than 40,000.
The city is recognized as a key node for technology and life sciences in the St. Louis region due in part to its concentration of life science, information technology, and medical facilities. Creve Coeur is home to Monsanto Corporation’s world headquarters, the Nidus Center for Scientific Enterprise, and the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center.
Creve Coeur also houses major corporations such as Smurfit-Stone, St. John’s Mercy Medical Center, Elsevier Reuters North America, Arch Coal, and Daugherty Business Solutions located within their borders.
“Our workforce and location have made Creve Coeur a prime focal point for technology-based and health-related industries,” stated Mayor Harold Dielmann. “Our next main project is to create a one-of-a-kind downtown area to showcase our strong retail and Class A office space.” |
|
|
| ST. LOUIS COUNTY HEADLINES |
|
| |
|
|
The SLCEC newsletter is to provide to promote the advantages and assets of St. Louis County and its communities to site selectors, partners, customers, clients, allies and key contacts. Recipients are permitted to forward, print and/or copy this newsletter to help provide greater awareness of the superior attributes of St. Louis County, its communities and the greater St. Louis region.
The St. Louis County Economic Council newsletter was developed in cooperation with E-Data Solutions Inc. a current tenant in the South County Enterprise Center.
|
|
