|
| Today's Headlines |
|
| INTRODUCTION |
In Thomas Friedman’s critically acclaimed book, The World is Flat, he describes his exciting discoveries he encounters through small businesses due to both technology and, more importantly, the ever-increasing global economy.
In the not-so-distant past, only the largest of companies had the capacity to do business outside American borders, and many times it was limited to Canada and Mexico. Today, however, companies with as few as one or two employees are conducting business everyday in countries such as India, Germany and Israel.
Clearly, though, one of the United State’s and Midwest’s fastest-growing trading partners is China. Let me point out just two facts that exemplify this trend:
- China is now the fourth largest international consumer of Missouri goods (by comparison, China was 11th in 2001)
- Missouri Trade with China almost tripled from 2004 to 2008, from $336 million to $944 million
The Midwest China Hub project is an integral part of the future growth of both the St. Louis region and state. St. Louis County Executive Charlie A. Dooley understands the importance of this trend. Last year, he joined Senators Kit Bond and Claire McCaskill, Tim Nowak, executive director of the World Trade Center Saint Louis, and other St. Louis leaders on a trip to China. This trip, in addition to recently hosting Chinese business and government dignitaries on a tour of Lambert-St. Louis International Airport and the region, will be among many that can benefit both China and the Midwest.
Additionally, the U.S. Department of Commerce has awarded the initiative $1.7 million, and St. Louis County Port Authority has received approval from the U.S. Department of Commerce Foreign-Trade Zone board to expand the Foreign-Trade Zone to include new sites around and at Lambert-St. Louis International Airport. This will allow increased employment opportunities and investment in St. Louis County by encouraging international business activities.
It is clear that St. Louis County stands ready to partner with local industries as well as nations throughout the world to maintain our position as Missouri’s economic engine. If you are seeking an ally who is looking both domestically and globally, then I encourage you to contact St. Louis County Economic Council to learn how we are supporting growth and investment.
Denny Coleman
President and CEO |
|
|
| COUNTY, ULI, SLU TO CREATE CERTIFICATE PROGRAM |
|
St. Louis County Executive Charlie A. Dooley along with Jerry Crylen, senior vice president of Gundaker Commercial and chair of the St. Louis Chapter of the Urban Land Institute and Dr. Bob Mai with the Public Policy Studies program at Saint Louis University announced the formation of new certificate program at a ULI-sponsored event where former Pittsburgh Mayor Tom Murphy spoke on “Civic Leadership and Economic Development in a Recession.”
|
Economic Council President Denny Coleman, SLU Professor Dr. Bob Mai, former Pittsburgh Mayor Tom Johnson, St. Louis County Executive Charlie A. Dooley and ULI St. Louis Chapter Chairman Jerry Crylen announce the new public official education program. |
“This program is targeted to help mayors, city council members, city staff and chambers to better understand the complex world of development,” said Dooley. “I am pleased that two reputable organizations such as ULI and Saint Louis University will be partnering with us to serve the region.”
The program, to be offered toward the end of the year, will focus around issues that reflect the importance of today’s market trends. The curriculum will include planning and zoning, green development, deal structuring, marketing, and real estate development.
“Intergovernmental cooperation is central to sustaining regional growth and vitality. Understanding all aspects of economic development is central to effective cooperation,” said Crylen. “Better informed community leaders means a greater willingness to work together with other communities, which means smarter development projects serving more communities. This comprehensive certificate program is the answer. All civic leaders should have one of these certificates on their office wall.”
Mai sees this as a timely and important effort for everyone. “Given today’s economic conditions, there is a great deal of pressure on cities, counties and development entities to manage costs and still find ways to grow economically,” said Mai. “The education program we’re building for local government will undoubtedly benefit by being the product of an active collaboration among the University, ULI and St. Louis County. We’re aiming to make it as up-to-date, and real-world oriented as possible.” |
|
|
| DOOLEY HONORS PHOENIX TEXTILE FOR 25 YEARS OF SERVICE |
 St. Louis County Executive Charlie A. Dooley recently honored Palmer “Pam” Reynolds, owner and CEO of Earth City-based Phoenix Textile Company with a proclamation designating “Pam Reynolds Day” in St. Louis County for the company’s 25 years of success.
“Ms. Reynolds represents the best of St. Louis County,” said Dooley. “She is a woman of great faith who persevered through a number of obstacles and now operates a company that is a leading provider of textile products to the health-care and nursing home industries.”
In accepting the proclamation, Reynolds acknowledged that her business success is a result of the attitude of its 100 employees who work at Phoenix Textile.
“We are successful because everyone at Phoenix recognizes that we are more than just workers or a vendor; we are all part of a family,” she said.
 Phoenix Textile is a leading provider of textile products to hospitals, nursing homes and other industries in the health-care profession. It has been recognized as an Inc. 500 company and named a Women’s Business Enterprise by the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council. |
|
|
| MONTGOMERY BANK JOINS SLBDF AS 27TH BANK SHAREHOLDER |
|
 Saint Louis Business Development Fund (SLBDF) welcomes Montgomery Bank as the company’s newest shareholder. Montgomery Bank joins 26 other St. Louis area banks, St. Louis County Economic Council, St. Louis Development Corporation, and the Economic Development Center of St. Charles County.
“With our people-oriented and personalized banking philosophy, we know partnering with the Business Development Fund will benefit the people who do business with us,” said Ken Witbrodt, Jr., chief executive of Montgomery Bank. “As a community bank, this is another way we can support the small business community and help foster economic development and growth in the St. Louis metro area.”
Saint Louis Business Development Fund invests in selected growing companies
in Missouri and
Illinois that demonstrate significant potential for success and view the Fund’s investment as an attractive alternative to venture capital or other forms of equity investments. The SLBDF is professionally managed by St. Louis County Economic Council. |
|
|
| BOND AND McCASKILL ANNOUNCE FUNDS FOR CHINA HUB INITIATIVE |
|
 U.S. Senators Kit Bond and Claire McCaskill announced the U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC) will release more than $1.7 million in federal funds to support the St. Louis-China hub initiative to enhance trade and export opportunities in the Midwest and create jobs for Missouri workers.
"Since too many Missourians are out of work and families are struggling to pay the bills, the success of a St. Louis-China hub is more important now than ever," said Bond. "The Midwest cannot afford to sit on the sidelines and miss the economic opportunities available to businesses and workers on the East and West coasts, and I am confident that this hub will fuel the jobs of the future for Missouri workers."
"This is about jobs for the St. Louis region, and right now, that's more important than ever," McCaskill said. "It's an investment in the economic future of our state."
St. Louis County Executive Charlie A. Dooley also is pleased to support this critical economic development initiative for the region.
“Our teams at St. Louis County Economic Council and World Trade Center Saint Louis worked diligently with the Midwest China Hub Commission to secure this grant,” said Dooley. “We are thankful for their support as well as the support of Senators Kit Bond and Claire McCaskill.”
Under the DOC's Economic Development Administration's Economic Adjustment Assistance Program, St. Louis County Economic Council will receive $1,725,000. |
|
|
| ST. LOUIS COUNTY ECONOMIC COUNCIL UNVEILS NEW WEB SITE |
|
St. Louis County Economic Council is pleased to showcase our new Web site, www.slcec.com.
 Our new, user-friendly site is designed to keep you better informed of our services, latest economic developments and other news throughout St. Louis County.
The site features valuable resources for businesses, up-to-date information about redevelopment projects and business expansions, event calendars, news articles, and more.
We invite you to visit the new www.slcec.com to see how St. Louis County Economic Council is working for you! |
|
|
| HILTON GARDEN INN HOLDS GRAND OPENING AT NORTHPARK |
|
 Local dignitaries recently gathered on the grounds at NorthPark to help celebrate the grand opening of its latest development, the Hilton Garden Inn, St. Louis Airport.
Conveniently situated off Interstate 70, the Hilton hotel offers 136 nonsmoking rooms and suites and a host of other welcoming amenities including Sleep System beds; complimentary high-speed Internet, indoor pool, and restaurant. Complimentary transportation to and from St. Louis International Airport also is available.
“We welcome this quality hotel to the City of Berkeley and St. Louis County,” said St. Louis County Executive Charlie A. Dooley. “The hotel is a benefit to the community, and as NorthPark continues to develop, it will attract increased business to the hotel because of its excellent location for business travelers.”
Hilton Garden Inn is located in NorthPark and is conveniently located to the University of Missouri-St. Louis, a Metrolink station and Westport Plaza.
Hilton Garden Inn also is located a short distance from the downtown area, the Saint Louis Zoo, Edward Jones Dome, Busch Stadium, Saint Louis University, Washington University and major shopping destinations.
For reservations and information call 314.521.6445 or visit www.hgistlouisairport.com. |
|
|
| ST. LOUIS COUNTY HEADLINES |
|
| |
|
|
|
