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| INTRODUCTION |
The St. Louis Enterprise Centers continue to play a vital role in the economic foundation for the entire region. An integral part of our mission is the partnering we have undertaken to create diversity in the local business community.
Through allies like the St. Louis Black Leadership Roundtable , the Regional Union Construction Center, the Missouri Department of Transportation’s Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Center and the International Institute Saint Louis, the path is opened for minority, immigrant and women owned enterprises to succeed in today’s economy.
Diversity, however, is more than just creating new opportunities for minority based industries. The St. Louis Enterprise Centers also provide for a diverse economic base for a community to thrive on.
Our incubators serve as a home for a variety of industries reflecting the mixture and depth of our region’s business environment. The continued expansion of our economic base increases the quality of life opportunities for our residents.
Our impact is measured by a number of standards which include, but are not limited to, business growth, job creation, long term viability and enhanced community entrepreneurial spirit. Due to meeting and exceeding their projected sales and revenue targets, several of our clients have recently outgrown their current incubator space and graduated into new commercial locations.
Because of the these “graduations”, our Enterprise Centers are now considering applications from emerging firms who are looking for a supportive entrepreneurial environment.
I encourage you to check out each of our four Enterprise Centers and see how we play a diverse role in the success of the St. Louis metropolitan area. To find out more, contact our offices at 314-615-0118 and see how we can be a part of your business success.
Jan DeYoung
Executive Director
St. Louis Enterprise Centers
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| MELBA SNOW NAMED SITE ADMINISTRATOR FOR SOUTH COUNTY CENTER |
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| CBG SPOTLIGHT –GONZALEZ COMPANIES, LLC |
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Gonzalez Companies, LLC is a professional services Minority and Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (MBDE) company specializing in construction management, civil engineering, construction inspection/observation, water resources, site development, and contract administration services.
Headquartered in St. Louis at the SLCEC’s Midtown Enterprise Center, along with satellite offices in Kansas City and Swansea, Illinois; the firm offers a unique blend of construction and design capabilities. Gonzalez Companies, LLC, has assisted a multitude of clients ranging from Peabody Energy, Alliance Water, Ameren, Illinois Department of Transportation, and the US Corps of Engineers to Heartland Bank, and Paducah, KY.
Incorporated in 1999, Gonzalez Companies, LLC was selected in 2006 to participate in the St. Louis County Economic Council’s Center for Business Growth, a program to mentor businesses with high growth potential. The CBG advised Gonzalez in all facets of business plan development, marketing, finance, risk management, information technology implementation and human resources.
Benefiting from the CBG’s assistance, Gonzalez has doubled its workforce, seen its projected revenues increase nearly ten fold, developed a comprehensive employee handbook with performance standards, received training on Microsoft QuickBooks and conducted an extensive risk management assessment.
“I always knew we had the proper understanding of the industry that would make us successful,” stated Gonzalez Companies Senior Managing Partner Anthony Gonzalez- Angel. “However, the guidance we received from the CBG was important in helping us understand all facets of managing a business.” |
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| ST. LOUIS ENTERPRISE CENTER SHOWCASE - WELLSTON |
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The Wellston Enterprise Center, conveniently located along Metrolink light rail system, serves a unique mission focused on special initiatives especially directed towards minority business ventures.
Current residents in the Wellston Center are: Airfield Improvement & Repair, LLC, (a specialty pavement maintenance contractor), GSM Development, LLC. (a provider of Total Asset Management Services and Transmission and Distribution Products to the utility industry) and Hawk iSolutions Group, Inc. (an information technology company providing integrated solutions to key business issues applying Microsoft, Internet, and open technologies).
Other tenants include the Manufacturing Training Alliance, a provider of CNC machine operator training and apprenticeship programs; and TD4, Inc. is a comprehensive Business solutions provider that specializes in MWBE participation and inclusion in both the construction and non-construction Industries.
The Wellston Enterprise Center is also home to a number of initiatives focused on minority business entrepreneurship. The Regional Union Construction Center, Inc. is a specialized incubation initiative of local union leaders, business owners and regional contractor organizations to assist emerging minority construction businesses to overcome the obstacles of starting a business, become competitive in the construction industry, and gain access to capital and contracting opportunities.
In addition, the Missouri Department of Transportation’s (MODOT) Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Supportive Services Pilot Partnership Initiative and Business Assistance Center is housed in the Wellston Incubator. The DBE provides direct, measurable and effective business development assistance for disadvantaged firms participating in the highway contracting industry.
The Wellston Center has been the headquarters for The Center for the Acceleration of African-American Businesses (CAAAB) which provides business support for African-American entrepreneurs and serves as a clearinghouse for existing business support resources.
The 10,000-square-foot business incubator is located on 2 acres and features office and warehouse space for up to 18 small businesses. The Wellston Enterprise Center has space ranging from 144 to 320 square feet for office use and 496 to 600 square feet of warehouse and production space.
To find out more about the Wellston Enterprise Center contact the St. Louis County Economic Council at 314-615-0118 |
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| GRADUATE SPOTLIGHT – BRK ELECTRICAL CONTRACTORS |
Friends and associates of Marion A. Hayes III will testify that his personality, attitude and drive for success perfectly fits his chosen profession. He is truly electrifying.
With a determination to own his own business, Hayes started BRK Electrical Contractors LLC in February of 2003. The electrical contracting company specializes in commercial construction and renovation, maintenance and refitting existing electrical services and fixtures. In three short years, the company has grown from 3 employees to 17.
With a B.A. degree in electrical engineering and a master’s in construction management, Hayes saw a need for his expertise in the region and was soon procuring contracts from AmerenUE, Washington University and BJC Healthcare. BRK Electrical Contractors was also one of many local industries involved in the construction of the new Busch Stadium.
To accomplish his dream, Hayes needed to find a quality, competitively priced location that would help him maintain his overall cash flow position. He soon discovered the Wellston Enterprise Center met all his needs.
Hayes experienced many benefits from starting his business in a local incubator.
“The Center helped provide my business with the foundation and encouragement to enable growth and overcome the early challenges of establishing ourselves in the area,” he said.
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| Marion Hayes III, founder and President of BRK Electrical Contractors, LLC. |
As one of the first tenants in the Wellston Enterprise Center, Hayes saw his business grow and eventually he was able to graduate into his own facility. Hayes also serves on the board of the Regional Union Construction Center to help other start-ups experience the same success as BRK.
“BRK Electric is the textbook case on successful business start up,” stated SLCEC Enterprise Center Executive Director Jan DeYoung. “Marion Hayes used his talent and vision to start a company and utilized the proper tools and networks to create a sustainable operation for the benefit of the entire region.
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| ST. LOUIS COUNTY HEADLINES |
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