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Today's Headlines |
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| INTRODUCTION |
Over the past few months, St. Louis County Executive Charlie A. Dooley and Tim Nowak, executive director for the World Trade Center – St. Louis have been helping lead a series of meetings and visits with senior Chinese government officials. They are working with federal, state and other local officials in an effort to create an unprecedented trade agreement and export/import hub that will greatly impact our region.
Reaching out beyond county, state and national borders is vital if we are to continue to prosper. Aggressively placing the St. Louis area in the ever increasing globalized marketplace will pay dividends for years to come.
As the hub to companies such as Boeing Integrated Defense Systems, Energizer, Brown Shoe, Monsanto, Pfizer, Edward Jones, Enterprise Leasing and other leading industries, St. Louis County is acutely aware of the importance of expanding its base to incorporate the global marketplace.
Increasing the region’s reach into China, South America and Europe does not mean we are neglecting our role to aid American-based industries. In fact, it enhances our efforts. The Economic Council realizes that opening up new markets creates greater investment opportunities for St. Louis regional industries, which, in turn, generates even more local jobs.
We refer to St. Louis County as the “economic engine” for the State of Missouri. Expanding this vision beyond U.S. borders will only serve to add more horsepower to that engine.
Denny Coleman
President and CEO |
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| ST. LOUIS COUNTY, COMMUNITIES ATTEND ICSC |
 Denny Coleman, president and CEO of the St. Louis County Economic Council, and Steve Anderson, vice president of business development, recently attended the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) Annual Convention in Las Vegas. This year, over 50,000 communities, counties, developers, and retail industry leaders attended the event.
“It is important for us to attend this meeting and be a resource for retailers and developers,” said Coleman. “The convention allows us to network with some prominent contacts in the country.”
Renowned as one of the largest programs for the retail industry, ICSC brings communities and counties together with retailers and developers to discuss potential investment opportunities.
“The Economic Council is recognized as a premier source of information for retailers and developers looking for prime locations in the Midwest,” said Anderson. “Since we have been a consistent participant, both retailers and developers know to look for us at the trade show.”
Another convention benefit is that many St. Louis County communities also attend.
“Cities like Chesterfield, Hazelwood, St. Ann, and Florissant partnered with us to demonstrate the best of the county and region,” said Anderson. “Developers appreciate that we’re joining forces to provide the best possible information.” |
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| WTC-STL NAMES NEW BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR |
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Tim Nowak, executive director of the World Trade Center - Saint Louis announced the hiring of Ana Romero-Lizana as the organization’s new Director of International Business Development. Romero has more than 22 years of experience in international business and management and brings vast knowledge in domestic and international sales and logistics.
Her career includes positions at international giants Solutia, Mallinckrodt and Monsanto. She also has managed major customer accounts in the chemical industry in Mexico and Latin America.
“Ana’s broad experience and successful track record in international business is a key asset to the World Trade Center and growing our organization,” said Nowak. “She brings a wealth of industry expertise and proven marketing and sales savvy to the position.”
Born in Guadalajara, Mexico and raised in St. Louis, Romero holds a Bachelor of Arts from Saint Louis University in organizational studies and communications and a Bachelor of Science in accounting from Escuela de Comercio, Guadalajara, Mexico. She is proficient in Spanish and English and can conduct business in Portuguese.
Established in 1993, World Trade Center - Saint Louis’ mission is to facilitate international business growth and enhance global competitiveness throughout the region, Missouri and Southwest Illinois. The World Trade Center is part of the World Trade Centers Association, an extensive global network of over 300 World Trade Centers with the goal of fostering peace and stability through trade. |
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| MID-TOWN ENTERPRISE CENTER HONORS TWO GRADUATES |
The St. Louis Enterprise Center-Midtown recently graduated two client companies, making room for other start-up, growing businesses. Located at 3830 Washington Avenue, the facility is a unique joint effort between St. Louis City and County. The city owns the building while the county provides support for area entrepreneurs and manages the facility.
It is also unique in that it is among few incubators to offer specialty space for culinary-related companies.
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Dennis Breite with Enterprise Center Graduates and Rodney Crim,
Executive Director of the St. Louis Development Corporation |
Dennis Breite, executive director for the Enterprise Centers says graduating is more than just a celebration of a company moving to a different building. “This is recognition of small business success,” said Breite. “It is a celebration of entrepreneurs who took tremendous personal risk to be a part of the American dream.”
Graduating client companies include:
Ollie Dowell Communications, a minority- and woman-owned public relations firm that has carved out a special niche in the aviation industry and received noteworthy recognition and awards.
Forum Home Health Agency, a minority- and woman-owned home health care that communicates in clients’ native languages including Russian, Bosnian, Vietnamese, Chinese, Afghani, among others.
“This is an exciting day for our small business owners,” said St. Louis County Executive Charlie A. Dooley. “We are pleased our Midtown Enterprise Center assisted these two companies in developing and growing their businesses. We wish them continued success in their new locations.”
The Midtown Enterprise Center is among three other small business incubators managed by St. Louis County Economic Council (South County, Wellston and West County). The four Enterprise Centers provide affordable office and warehouse space, shared support services, access to expert advice and mentors, and valuable networking opportunities. |
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| SLBDF ASSISTS LOCAL FIRM FOR GLOBAL EXPANSION |
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 Neeco-Tron Inc., a St. Peters, Missouri based company that designs and manufactures printed circuit boards and other electronic controls, recently received a $200,000 loan from the St. Louis Business Development Fund (SLBDF) to increase staff and acquire additional equipment.
The company also is looking to increase its presence in the Mexican market said Neeco-Tron President Nick Nibert.
SLBDF is a for-profit venture administered by the St. Louis County Economic Council. The fund is designed for companies that do not have strong enough balance sheets to extend their existing credit or take out a new loan. This year, the fund has provided $1.47 million in loans.
“Once again, SLBDF has demonstrated its value to the area,” stated Rick Palank, SLBDF president. “Development agencies and local financial institutions have come together to help a company with local roots to continue to grow in the area.”
Neeco-Tron began operations in 1993 and has grown to 30 employees and $5 million in revenue. |
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| COMMUNITY PROFILES: BERKELEY, FRONTENAC, VALLEY PARK |
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Berkeley – The City of Berkeley, home to over 10,000 residents, has received a lot of attention recently and Mayor Kyra Watson is looking forward to even more recognition for the city.
“The NorthPark development got the ball rolling for us,” Watson stated. “Berkeley is using that as a springboard to partner with other communities to create new opportunities in North County.”
The community’s proximity to Interstate 170, the University of Missouri – St. Louis and Lambert International Airport has made it a smart business location.
Making Berkeley a family friendly location is a high priority for the leaders of the community.
“Our residents enjoy our amenities like Ramona Lake, summer youth programs and our own public safety departments, which is helping Berkeley remain a place to make a home,” Mayor Watson added.
Frontenac - The City of Frontenac takes its name from Louis de Buade, Comte de Frontenac et de Palluau (the Count of Frontenac), a French courtier and governor of New France.
Plaza Frontenac, one of the area’s premier retail establishments, is home to nationally recognized retailers such as Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, Tiffany & Co., and Montblanc. Other noted retailers located in the city include Woody’s in La Chateau, Forshaw and the Frontenac Hilton.
“While we are known to be a retail hub, that is clearly not the only advantage that Frontenac possesses,” states Mayor Lee Murray. “We work very hard at keeping Frontenac as a location for high-quality housing.”
Education is also an important part of the community. Frontenac is served by the award-winning Ladue School District along with two highly regarded private schools: St. Joseph’s Academy and Villa Duchene/Oak Hill School.
Frontenac has more than 3,400 residents with a commitment to preserving its historical roots. With an excellent housing stock, easy accessibility to major thoroughfares and a per capita crime rate less then one-third the national average, Frontenac remains an extremely desirable community in which to live.
Valley Park - Valley Park derived its name from its function and importance to the area. Located along the Meramec River, it gained notoriety as a regional park, and holding true to its name, continues to be an important component of the city.
Valley Park is a part of the Ozark Greenway Trails and is home to Vance Trails Park, Leonard Park, Brignole Park, and Meramec Landing; however, the community’s assets are not solely parks. Its location along Route 141 and Interstate 44 and proximity to the Fenton Chrysler plant provides vital access to a variety of business interests.
In addition, Valley Park’s central location makes it a great place for commuters looking to travel east to St. Louis or further west for other employment opportunities.
“Our 6,500 residents recognize the benefit of living in Valley Park,” said Mayor Grant Young. “Our access to jobs and recreational programs make Valley Park an ideal place to call home.” |
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| ST. LOUIS COUNTY HEADLINES |
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