• INTRODUCTION
• COUNTY EXECUTIVE CHARLIE A. DOOLEY ISSUES VISION FOR THE FUTURE
• COLEMAN REVIEWS SUCCESSES, ADDRESSES FUTURE PROJECTS
• COUNCIL RECOGNIZES ENTITIES FOR CONTRIBUTION TO REGION
• ECONOMIC COUNCIL ACHIEVES DISTINGUISHED AEDO ACCREDIATION

Carol Daniel, KMOX Radio Personality and Emcee        for the Council's Annual Meeting

The event was skillfully hosted by Carol Daniel of KMOX radio and Great Day St. Louis who regaled the attendees with 1984 trivia. In addition, Daniel rallied the crowd in support of a stronger regional collaboration to improve the region’s economy.

The program’s highlight was the recognition of key local allies that have made a significant impact in St. Louis County.  County Executive Charlie A. Dooley with the Economic Council’s Board Chair Sheila Sweeney and President and CEO Denny Coleman recognized Monsanto, Midwest-China Hub Commission, BRDG Park, and Seventh Wave for their respective contributions.

We are proud of the AEDO recognition and the event’s overall success. Please continue to read this special edition of the developments newsletter highlighting the Annual Meeting and showing why St. Louis County is recognized as the economic engine for the state and region.

Denny Coleman, CEcD, FM
President and CEO

St. Louis County Executive Charlie A. Dooley welcomed a large crowd to the Economic Council’s 2009 Annual Meeting by recognizing previous County leaders and issuing a vision for the future.

In his opening comments, County Executive Dooley praised two of his predecessors in attendance, Gene McNary and H.C. Milford, as well as recognized the late Buzz Westfall, who was represented by his son Mark Westfall. In addition, Dooley acknowledged Dee Joyner who served as the Economic Council’s first president.

Dooley used the analogy of the Chinese symbol for crises, which is also the symbol for opportunity. He asked the crowd to view the less-than-stellar current economic condition as an opportunity to reposition the region to become a 21st Century global economy.

St. Louis County Executive Charlie A. Dooley challenges attendees to create a new vision for the region.

Dooley also announced he would engage the region’s leaders in a conversation regarding how to reposition the metropolitan area’s economy. In calling for a new discussion for the region’s economic paradigm, Dooley quoted the book of Proverbs, stating: “…where leaders have no vision, the people will perish.”

Denny Coleman, president and CEO of St. Louis County Economic Council, provided attendees with an overview of the numerous projects in which the organization has been involved and applauded County Executive Charlie A. Dooley’s efforts to create a new, shared vision for the region.

In his remarks, Coleman summarized the Economic Council’s divisions and efforts undertaken to increase jobs and investment in the county. Highlights of Coleman’s speech included:

• World Trade Center has served over 300 companies
• Enterprise Center clients generated over $160 million in annual revenues
• Business Finance secured more than $27 million in loans and bonds
• Business Development assisted in $1.4 billion in project investment
• Real Estate and Community Development oversaw $1.6 billion of projects

Coleman finished his remarks by reinforcing County Executive Dooley’s call to create a regional vision to improve economic conditions. He further vowed that the Economic Council will support his call to action to ensure the industries and residents of the region benefit.

St. Louis County Executive Charlie A. Dooley, Economic Council Chair Sheila Sweeney and President and CEO Denny Coleman recognized four organizations for their contribution to the St. Louis regional economy. The award winners and their categories include:

Business Expansion Award – Monsanto

Monsanto Sr. Vice President Jan Holloway is presented with the Business Expansion Award

The Business Expansion Award is given to a company in St. Louis County that demonstrates continued growth and investment.

A St. Louis icon, Monsanto is one of the largest employers in the region and a significant contributor to the wealth and growth of the area. Monsanto is a leader in the plant and life science industry and has made a significant investment in its Creve Coeur campus. The company is positioned as a global leader that will transform the world for years to come.

Jan Holloway, senior vice president of Monsanto, accepted the award on behalf of the company. Holloway stated that Monsanto is proud to be a part of the region and looks forward to continued partnerships.

Buzz Westfall Regional Cooperation Award – Midwest-China Hub Commission

Mike Jones, Chair of Midwest China Hub, receives the Buzz Westfall Award on behalf of the Commission

Named in honor of former St. Louis County Executive Buzz Westfall, this award represents the organization that epitomizes the effort that brings the region together under one consolidated effort.

The Midwest-China Hub Commission unites the leading counties in the region along with Missouri’s congressional delegation and local business leaders to establish a joint effort in attracting new foreign investment from China. The World Trade Center Saint Louis provides administrative services for the group.

Commission Chairman Mike Jones thanked the Economic Council for the award and noted the strong teamwork that is in place to make this effort a successful venture.

Dr. William D. Phillips Technology Award – Bio-Research & Development Growth Park

BRDG Park President Sam Fiorello receives the Dr. William D. Phillips Technolgy Award from Sheila Sweeney, Charlie Dooley and Denny Coleman

This award is named after the famed St. Louis visionary in technology and life sciences, and is bestowed upon the individual or organization with the greatest impact within the field of technology.

In recognizing the Bio-Research & Development Growth (BRDG) Park, Economic Council Chair Sheila Sweeney noted its innovative vision and strong working relationship with the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, a collaborative effort and key partner.

The Economic Council presented BRDG Park President Sam Fiorello with the award. Fiorello thanked a number of groups that have been actively involved in making BRDG Park a reality.  The Park will officially open its doors June 16th with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Outstanding Entrepreneur Award – Seventh Wave

Seventh Wave President and Founder, Dr. John Sagartz, accepts the Outstanding Entrepreneur Award

Given to the St. Louis Enterprise Center entrepreneur that has demonstrated significant growth and contribution to the region, Seventh Wave was recognized for its successful advancement within the field of advisory and laboratory services for pharmacological companies.

Established in 2003, the company quickly grew from one employee to nearly 50 during a five-year existence. Its successful growth has occurred while the company has been (and still is) a tenant in St. Louis Enterprise Center - West County.

Seventh Wave President and CEO, Dr. John Sagartz, thanked the Economic Council for the honor and recognized his family for their support and dedication in making the company a success.

Jeff Finkle, president and CEO of the International Economic Development Council (IEDC), made a special appearance at the Council’s Annual Meeting to present a distinctive accreditation to the economic development organization.

Finkle announced at the meeting that IEDC has designated St. Louis County Economic Council an Accredited Economic Development Organization (AEDO), a distinguished status that signifies the professional excellence of economic development entities throughout North America.

Jeff Finkle congratulates Denny Coleman for achieving AEDO designation

“Receiving this accreditation was no easy task. The Economic Council went through an extensive, comprehensive evaluation process,” said Finkle. “Its well-educated, talented staff has vast project management, real estate development and financial packaging expertise, and has achieved success from start to finish working on complex public/private projects—it is the go-to place when something needs to get done.”

In accepting the award, Economic Council President and CEO Denny Coleman thanked Finkle for the accreditation and remarked that the AEDO distinction sets the Economic Council apart, because it signifies the professional standard of excellence that the entire organization has achieved.

The designation makes the Economic Council one of only 24 organizations to have the AEDO status nationally, and the only group in the state of Missouri to be so recognized.