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Today's Headlines |
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| INTRODUCTION |
May is a very exciting month for the Economic Council. In just over a week, we will host our Annual Meeting at the Ritz Carlton in Clayton, celebrating 25 years of economic development success – a milestone in which we take great pride.
Our Annual Meeting is the culmination of the year’s accomplishments as well as recognition of key industries and individuals for their contributions to the region. Despite a down economy, St. Louis County has accomplished much this past year, and we thank our many partners that help make this region a great place for business.
We also will showcase how the Economic Council has impacted the St. Louis metropolitan area over the years. It has evolved into a much more comprehensive economic development agency as compared to a quarter of a century ago; and our commitment to helping St. Louis County grow and prosper continues to be our main objective.
The Economic Council has helped St. Louis County become the State of Missouri’s economic engine, and we look forward to working with you to make St. Louis County even stronger over the next 25 years and beyond. I hope to see you on May 14th!
Denny Coleman, CEcD, FM
President and CEO |
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| PFIZER CUTS RIBBON ON NEW RESEARCH BUILDING |
St. Louis County Executive Charlie A. Dooley, Missouri Governor Jay Nixon and Chesterfield Mayor John Nations joined senior executives from Pfizer and other guests to celebrate the opening of the company’s new $200 million research facility.
 Pfizer Chairman and CEO Jeffrey Kindler praised the cooperation that helped complete this important addition and called Missouri a “great place to do business.”
The 330,000-square-foot, four-story building will employ over 1,000 people and houses state-of-the-art labs for pharmaceutical research and drug discovery.
County Executive Dooley noted the Pfizer expansion further solidifies the County’s effort in attracting and retaining leading pharmaceutical industries and top scientists.
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St. Louis County Executive Charlie Dooley and other noted dignitaries join Missouri Governor Jay Nixon and Pfizer CEO Jeffrey Kindler as they cut the ribbon to Pfizer’s new research facility. |
“We applaud and appreciate Pfizer’s investment to our region,” Dooley stated. “This effort clearly demonstrates that when the State of Missouri, St. Louis County and City of Chesterfield come together, we can present an outstanding package that will result in quality jobs for the region.”
Don Frail, Ph.D, vice president and chief scientific officer for Pfizer’s Chesterfield global research and development, informed attendees that the new research building allows Pfizer to consolidate all of its Missouri-based research and development to a single location, relocating approximately 250 to the Chesterfield campus.
The Chesterfield campus is one of four major R&D facilities within the Pfizer Global research division. Since 2003, Pfizer has invested $350 million in their local operations. |
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| DANFORTH CENTER RECEIVES FEDERAL FUNDS FOR BIOFUELS CENTER |
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 The United States Department of Energy Office of Science has selected Creve Coeur-based Donald Danforth Plant Science Center to be one of 46 new multi-million-dollar Energy Frontier Research Centers (EFRCs). The EFRCs pursue advanced scientific research on energy at universities, national laboratories, nonprofit organizations, and private firms across the nation.
 The Danforth Plant Science Center will receive $15 million over a five year period to establish a Center for Advanced Biofuels Systems (CABS). Danforth officials stated the funds allow them to transition basic research on algal and plant-based biofuel systems into sustainable energy production systems for the future.
Founded in 1998, the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center is a not-for-profit research institute with a global vision to improve the human condition. Research at the Danforth Center enhances the nutritional content of plants to improve human health, increases agricultural production to create a sustainable food supply and builds scientific capacity to generate economic growth in the St. Louis region and throughout Missouri. |
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| ECONOMIC COUNCIL TO CELEBRATE SILVER ANNIVERSARY |
 St. Louis County Economic Council will celebrate 25 years of successful economic development at its 2009 Annual Meeting 11:30 a.m., Thursday, May 14th at the Ritz Carlton in Clayton.
The milestone event will begin with a networking reception outside the main ballroom followed by lunch. A VIP reception occurs before the networking period and is reserved for top-level sponsors, award recipients and government leaders, and guest speakers.
“This is not just a celebration for the Economic Council,” states Denny Coleman, president and CEO, ”it is a tribute to our public leaders, industries, partners, and communities that make St. Louis County a great place.”
Nancy Schnoebelen, vice president for marketing and communications, stated that support for the event has been tremendous.
“We have had a lot of partners come forward to be a part of our special 25th anniversary celebration. In light of the current economy, we are extremely grateful and appreciative of the support we have received from our business partners. We are anticipating a sold-out event.”
The program will provide guests with up-to-date information on County economic development including presentations from County Executive Charlie A. Dooley and SLCEC President & CEO Denny Coleman.
To learn more about sponsoring or to making reservations for the St. Louis County Economic Council’s Annual Meeting, go to www.slcec.com/2009-sponsors.html or contact Nancy Schnoebelen at 314.615.7617. |
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| SBA MAKES CHANGES TO 504 LOAN PROGRAM |
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| ST. LOUIS COUNTY HEADLINES |
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The changes include: