• INTRODUCTION
• MIDWEST CHINA HUB COMMISSION OPENS OFFICE IN BEIJING
• BRDG PARK TO HOST TWO MAJOR EVENTS
• ST. LOUIS COUNTY HOSTS ARRA FORUMS
• ECONOMIC COUNCIL HOSTS PROGRAM ON FOREIGN TRADE ZONE BENEFITS
• MISSOURI GROWTH ASSOCIATION HONORS DENNY COLEMAN
• GORSKI NAMED BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT OFFICER AT BRDG-PARK
• SAVE THE DATE! – SLCEC’S ANNUAL MEETING SET FOR MAY 14TH
• ST. LOUIS COUNTY HEADLINES

In late March, the Economic Council hosted a special event educating local industries and our development partners on the county’s Foreign Trade Zone.  We are pleased to report that a large contingent came out to discover the benefits of an FTZ.

Globalization is something that is a front of mind topic occupying the plans of many industries today.  No matter whether you are a Fortune 500 leader or a small company that employs four or five people, you will encounter the global economy.

The Foreign Trade Zone is just one of many tools the Economic Council offers businesses to help them become more competitive in today’s world.  No matter whether you import or export, a business can receive significant benefits from this program.

I would encourage you to contact Beth Noonan in our office to see how your business can profit from using a Foreign Trade Zone.

We at the St. Louis County Economic Council are please to be a part of that process that assists businesses in their investment decisions.  With programs like the Foreign Trade Zone, not only are we bringing the world to St. Louis County…but we are bringing St. Louis County to the world.

Denny Coleman
President and CEO

A delegation from the Midwest China Hub Commission travelled to Beijing in mid-March to continue talks with Chinese leaders. The goal of the trip was to promote economic ties between China and the Midwest through the creation of a St. Louis commercial air cargo hub.

“With more than a year of discussions with Chinese officials, we are making concrete steps toward building the foundation of this ever-important project,” said Midwest China Hub Commission Chairman Mike Jones. “There is a significant level of interest on the part of the Chinese. Our Beijing-based office will allow us to be more productive with our communications and overall efforts with Chinese leaders.”

The Beijing office, which is housed in the building of London Export Corporation (LEC), will support the Commission’s efforts in administrative and research functions. It is in close proximity to key government offices and will act as the direct liaison with Chinese officials.

LEC Managing Director Stephen Perry also is chairman of the 48 Group Club, an independent business network committed to promoting positive relations with China.

Bio-Research and Development Growth (BRDG) Park, a new state-of-the art biotech and research facility located on the Danforth Plant Science Center campus will soon host two simultaneous events for the nation’s top venture capitalists and emerging companies in plant science and ag-tech.

On May 18 and 19, the 2009 Congress of World Agricultural Forum will convene and focus on seeking solutions to the issue of food supply and rising costs, impacts on global economics and crucial resource of water. New approaches will be explored to find ways to leverage innovation and technology.

At the same time, the first Ag Innovation Showcase will be held at the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center. The Showcase is a joint enterprise among BRDG Park, Nidus Center for Scientific Enterprise, Missouri Biotechnology Association, and Missouri Technology Corporation.

“The Ag Innovation Showcase will help facilitate interactions among investors, corporate executives, entrepreneurs, and leading scientists in the plant science and agriculture markets,” said Sam Fiorello, president of BRDG Park.

“Participants will see St. Louis’ world-class resources and facilities that have been designed specifically for plant science and agriculture-based companies,” said Fiorello.

More information about the program is available at www.agshowcase.com.

St. Louis County recently hosted informational meetings to help its school districts and municipalities better understand the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).  Washington, D.C.-based B&D Consulting, a leading expert on the stimulus package, conducted the programs.

M. Rene Islas, B&D Consulting vice president and a noted expert on education,met with school district superintendents andadministrators and identified how monies potentially could be distributed. He also detailed plans on how much funding could be available for St. Louis County School Districts and outlined the various means by which funds could be obtained and utilized.

St. Louis County municipalities learned how ARRA may benefit their cities through B&D Consulting Vice Chair David Gogol. He gave an overview of the federal stimulus package's importance to the region and how it could positively impact municipalities.

Real estate professionals, logistics firms and other local companies recently gathered at Hilton Garden Inn St. Louis Airport to learn about the advantages of the county’s recently expanded Foreign-Trade Zone (FTZ).

The FTZ expansion sites include developable land and leasable space at NorthPark, Hazelwood Commerce Center, Lindbergh Distribution Center, and Lambert-St. Louis International Airport.

The seminar, hosted by St. Louis County Economic Council and St. Louis County Port Authority, featured Scott Taylor, a partner with Kansas City-based Miller & Company P.C. An expert in foreign-trade zone law, Taylor's presentation outlined the specifics of the FTZ program and the many benefits, incentives and opportunities of locating within one of these designated zones.

"The ability to defer, reduce or eliminate customs duties on certain imported goods are among the many cost-saving benefits to businesses," said Taylor. "These products can be admitted into zones for storage, exhibition, assembly, manufacturing, or processing."

The expanded FTZ also is a positive step in establishing the St. Louis region as a strong competitor for the Midwest air cargo hub for commercial trade with China.

"The expansion of the Foreign-Trade Zone will further enhance trade and export opportunities and create competitive advantages for Midwest businesses," said St. Louis County Executive Charlie A. Dooley.

The Missouri Growth Association (MGA) honored St. Louis County Economic Council President and CEO Denny Coleman, CEcD, FM with its 2009 Individual Community Betterment Award at its annual luncheon. Coleman was recognized for his service and excellence in economic development and in making a difference in the region.

"Denny's enthusiasm and energy are limitless when it comes to making the area a better place to live and work," said MGA President, Wendy Timm.  “This award exemplifies his strong commitment to the community and economic development successes."

Coleman has been the president and CEO of St. Louis County Economic Council for nearly 20 years. Under Coleman's leadership, the Economic Council has assisted many companies in their efforts to expand and grow, and has enabled significant real estate projects to succeed, which have created and retained thousands of quality jobs in St. Louis County.

"Denny is a tremendous asset to St. Louis County. His vast knowledge, expertise and commitment to the region will continue to help foster growth and economic development throughout the County and beyond," said St. Louis County Executive Charlie A. Dooley.

Mark Gorski, a 1984 Olympic Gold Medalist and international marketing professional, has been named business development officer for Bio-Research and Development Growth (BRDG) Park at the Danforth Plant Science Center.

In addition to attracting emerging companies in plant and life sciences from across the nation to move to BRDG Park, Gorski will identify established companies around the world that are interested in having a business presence in the United States.

“Mark’s experiences in the international marketplace as a successful entrepreneur are a tremendous advantage for BRDG Park. His career trajectory attests to his abilities in growing businesses into thriving enterprises, building successful partnerships and negotiating multi-million dollar sponsorships,” said Sam Fiorella, president of BRDG Park and chief operating offer of the Danforth Plant Science Center.

As a cyclist, Gorski won the gold medal in the men’s individual sprint at the 1984 Olympics and is a five-time national champion and member of the United States Bicycling Hall of Fame.

Located in Creve Coeur, BRDG Park ultimately will include approximately 400,000 square feet of state-of-the-art wet labs and office space for developing scientific enterprises. For companies in plant and life sciences BRDG Park offers many strategic advantages, from unparalleled access to the research, resources and relationships of the Danforth Plant Science Center to its proximity to Monsanto’s world headquarters located across the street.

The St. Louis County Economic Council Annual Meeting draws an impressive group of business, civic and government leaders from the entire St. Louis region. This year will be no exception as we are anticipating another sold-out event of more than 700 attendees.  Please mark your calendars, and plan to attend the luncheon at 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Thursday, May 14th at the Ritz Carlton Hotel.

St. Louis County Executive Charlie A. Dooley and the Economic Council will showcase important countywide economic development in addition to honoring local business, community and civic leaders for their investment, expansion and job creation in St. Louis County. Attendees also will have the opportunity to network before the luncheon.

“This is a special time for our event”, said Denny Coleman, president and CEO of the Economic Council. “This year we will are celebrating the 25th anniversary of our organization. Our ability to serve St. Louis County and the region for a quarter of a century demonstrates our ability to adapt to both good and bad economic times.”

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