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March 31, 2011 RCGA Hosts Missouri Department Of Natural Resources Director Sara Parker Pauley: MODNR’s new Director Sara Parker Pauley was the featured speaker at the RCGA Energy and Environment Council meeting this past Friday morning at the RCGA. Director Pauley spoke to the Council about her efforts to involve more stakeholders in the policy and regulatory discussions at the Department.
She described the need to update Missouri’s Energy Plan to develop strategies that will accelerate the development of renewable sources of energy, create the next generation of “green jobs” and promote energy independence in the State. Top on her legislative priority list is the reinstatement of the water permit fees to fund the State’s Water Program. This funding is needed to prevent a takeover of the program by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The water fee bill (HB 89) passed the Missouri House before the legislative Spring Break and now heads to the Senate. Director Pauley concluded with an open invitation to the St. Louis regional business community to stay engaged with the Department. Director Pauley was confirmed as the MODNR Director in February, succeeding Mark Templeton, now the Executive Director of the Office of Independent Trustees for the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill Trust Fund. A native of Columbia, Mo., Pauley had been a project manager for D.J. Case & Associates, a natural resources communications firm, where she worked with federal and state agencies on policy development, marketing and environmental compliance. From 2001 to 2005, she was deputy director of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, serving as its public liaison to diverse constituencies including the business community and environmental groups. She also oversaw the staff and budgets of the State Historic Preservation Office, Energy Center, Technical Assistance Office and Communications Office. The RCGA Energy and Environment Council is chaired by Steven Poplawski of Bryan Cave LLP and participation is open to all RCGA members. The Council meets throughout the year to discuss energy and environmental policy issues facing the St. Louis region. For more information about the RCGA Energy and Environment Council, please contact RCGA Senior Director for Energy & Environment Eric Schneider at eschneider@stlrcga.org. March 30, 2011 Aerotropolis: “The Way We’ll Live Next”: As I noted in last week’s edition of Monday Memo, the RCGA has joined its civic colleagues throughout the region and State in strongly supporting groundbreaking legislation -- Senate Bill 390, “The Aerotropolis Trade Act,” as a key next step in The Big Idea and restaging the region’s and the State’s competitive international position in economic development. This legislation was sponsored in the Senate by Sen. Eric Schmitt (R-Glendale), Chair of the Senate Committee on Jobs, Economic Development & Local Government and co-sponsored by Sen. Bill Stouffer (R-Napton), Chair of the Senate Transportation Committee; and Sen. Brian Munzlinger (R-Clarence), Chair of the Senate Agriculture Committee. An excellent treatment of this emerging development form is found in the book, Aerotropolis: The Way We’ll Live Next, by John D. Kasarda and Greg Lindsay. This in-depth analysis of the concept examines the new phenomenon called the “aerotropolis”, providing a glimpse at the way we will live in the near future—and the way we will do business, too. It is directly applicable to the Multi-Modal Logistics Industry Cluster for the region and the State, envisioned in Sen. Schmitt’s legislation.
Kasarda writes, “An Aerotropolis is basically an airport-integrated region, extending as far as 60 miles from the inner clusters of hotels, offices, distribution and logistics facilities. All kinds of activities are served by and enhanced by the airport. Whether it’s supply chains, whether it’s enterprise networks, whether it’s biosciences and pharmaceuticals and time-sensitive organic materials, the airport itself is really the nucleus of a range of ‘New Economy;’ functions,” with the ultimate aim of bolstering the city’s “competitiveness, job creation, and quality of life.” Civic pride, national heritage, and executive prestige mean little or nothing when pitted against falling trade barriers, cross-barrier conglomerates, quicksilver liquidity, and the need for speed. The only trump card a city can play is the last one, Kasarda notes. If it’s faster than its rivals, it can win. With the right infrastructure, a hinterland can become a hub, toppling capitals. The fundamental laws of real estate—location, location, location—have been supplanted by three new ones: access, access, access. March 29, 2011 Cardinals Open 120th Season This Thursday, Projected To Generate $313.6 Million In Economic Benefits For St. Louis Region: In her just-completed analysis, RCGA Chief Economist Ruth Sergenian notes that, with the Cardinals projected to again attract more than 3 million fans this season, the economic impact of the 2011 Cardinal season on the St. Louis region is projected to be $313.6 million. The Cardinals continue to earn the reputation as “one of the best baseball towns in the Major Leagues.” As the 18th largest metro area, with a 2010 attendance of 3,301,218, St. Louis ranks #4, behind only the Yankees, #1 in population, and #1 in attendance at 3,765,807; the Phillies, #5 in population, and #2 in attendance at 3,647,249; and the Dodgers, #2 in population, and #3 in attendance at 3,562,320. Noteworthy is that the Cardinals outdrew both the Red Sox and the Cubs by substantial margins!
"Based on projected Cardinals regular season attendance of 3.2 million fans, the team will generate an estimated $155.3 million this year in direct impact and another $158.3 million in indirect regional economic activity. This figure is based on Busch Stadium’s operations spending and fan spending." Sergenian noted.
The economic impact model measures how spending tied to an event has multiple impacts and ripples throughout a region, thereby benefiting households and firms within the region. The major sources of spending are on-site expenditures (e.g. ticket prices, concessions, merchandise) and off-site expenditures (e.g. dining, retail, lodging, transportation). Historically, out of town visitors constitute some 40% of Cardinals attendance, and their spending on dining and lodging provides a significant added boost to the regional economy. Not only do the Cardinals represent great baseball, they are also one of the best in the business in their sport from a business perspective. The Cardinals rank 11th on Forbes magazine's latest list of the most valuable baseball teams with a value of $518 million, up 6% from last year. Forbes magazine released their annual valuations of Major League Baseball’s 30 franchises. Please click for more. March 28, 2011 Energizer Holdings CEO Ward Klein Is RCGA Breakfast With The Gazelles Speaker Tomorrow Morning: Ward Klein, CEO of Energizer Holdings, will be the featured speaker at the RCGA Breakfast with the Gazelles program tomorrow morning, beginning at 7:15 a.m., in the Regional Collaboration Center at the RCGA, One Metropolitan Square, downtown.
Ward will speak on the topic, "Growth Through Innovation And Acquisition.” A consumer goods company with revenues topping $4 billion last year, Energizer Holdings operates globally in the broad categories of household and personal care products. Energizer's portfolio includes well-established and well-known brand names such as Schick, and Wilkinson Sword men's and women's shaving products, and Banana Boat and Hawaiian Tropic sun care products, just to name a few. For reservations, please contact Lori Meier at the RCGA today, at 314.444.1145, or e-mail her at lmeier@stlrcga.org. March 25, 2011 St. Louis Commerce Magazine Receives International Kudos: The May/June 2010 issue of St. Louis Commerce Magazine has won a prestigious Mercury Award, as judged by an international panel of professionals in the fields of Advertising, Public Relations, Corporate Communications and Design. The Mercury Awards competition for 2010/2011 was recently held in New York, saluting the world’s best in corporate communications and public relations. Commerce won in the category of Magazines – Membership Publications.
Commerce Magazine design consultants Stan Gellman Graphic Design, Inc., also won an award for the 2010 LaBarge Inc. Annual Report. This award won in the category of Annual Reports – Overall Presentation/Electronics. The 2010/2011 Mercury Awards received nearly 800 entries from 21 countries, including the United Kingdom, Hong Kong, Australia, Canada, France, Germany and the United States. March 24, 2011 Energizer Holdings CEO Ward Klein Is Next RCGA Breakfast With The Gazelles Speaker On Tuesday, March 29th: Ward Klein, CEO of Energizer Holdings, will be the featured speaker at the upcoming RCGA Breakfast with the Gazelles program on Tuesday, March 29th, beginning at 7:15 a.m., in the Regional Collaboration Center at the RCGA, One Metropolitan Square, downtown.
Ward will speak on the topic, "Growth Through Innovation And Acquisition.” A consumer goods company with revenues topping $4 billion last year, Energizer Holdings operates globally in the broad categories of household and personal care products. Energizer's portfolio includes well-established and well-known brand names such as Schick, and Wilkinson Sword men's and women's shaving products, and Banana Boat and Hawaiian Tropic sun care products, just to name a few. One of the RCGA’s most successful business services programs, Breakfast with the Gazelles is presented throughout the year and features leading business, entrepreneurial and St. Louis regional leaders discussing issues and ideas that are important to entrepreneurs. We invite you to join us next Tuesday, March 29th, for this fascinating program with Ward Klein of Energizer. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch is media sponsor of the RCGA Breakfast with the Gazelles series. For reservations, please contact Lori Meier at the RCGA, at 314.444.1145, or e-mail her at lmeier@stlrcga.org. March 23, 2011 Cardinals President Bill DeWitt III Is Featured Speaker This Friday, March 25th, At KMOX “BOSS” Program, Co-Sponsored By RCGA: The KMOX Business Owners Speakers Series (BOSS) There is no charge to attend the BOSS program but registration is required. Please RSVP at www.KMOX.com/BOSS. March 22, 2011 St. Louis Among 4 Featured Regions & 5 Key Take-Aways Emerge From National Climate Prosperity Executive Roundtable In Pocantico Hills, New York: Two days of discussions around linking national green economy corporate leaders with regional best practices in the clean energy economy concluded this past week with 5 key take-aways emerging from the “Toward Climate Prosperity 2.0” Executive Roundtable in New York. This Executive Roundtable was sponsored by the Rockefeller Brothers Fund at the Rockefeller Retreat Center in Pocantico Hills, New York. The Executive Roundtable brought together leaders in economic development and business, including corporate leaders from Applied Materials, CH2M Hill, Cisco Systems, Citibank, Next 10, NRG Energy, Schneider Electric, KB Homes, McKinstry, the Business Civic Leadership Center, and others. These 5 take-aways are:
Climate Prosperity Projects in St. Louis, Denver, Silicon Valley, and Portland were showcased to national corporate leaders in the green economy at the Executive Roundtable. These 4 metropolitan regions are the Pilots for the Climate Prosperity Project, a national civic venture committed to linking economic development opportunity and the nation’s and regions’ clean economy futures. The national project was established in 2009 by the Rockefeller Brothers Fund. The Executive Roundtable highlighted Climate Prosperity as a business-driven, economic development approach to sustainability and clean energy. This unique joining of economic development and environmental enhancement is seen as critical to reviving the nation’s economy and global competitiveness, as well as an enhanced approach to environmental stewardship. The timing for our session could not have been better. We are seeing rapidly growing interest in sustainable technologies and in energy savings, as more regions and business leaders see the need for a strong economic development perspective in addressing climate change. We now have 4 pilot communities that are demonstrating in very tangible ways how to drive change and produce economic and environmental benefits simultaneously. “Now is the time to take stock of these experiences and the changing economic and political environment, and develop an action agenda for the expansion of Climate Prosperity strategies across the country. This was the primary objective of our meeting at Pocantico,” said Michael Northrop, program director, Sustainable Development at the Rockefeller Brothers Fund. A July 2010 report by Collaborative Economics in Silicon Valley concluded that growth in the Core Green Economy is both Silicon Valley and St. Louis is vastly outpacing growth in any other sector --- with the period from 1995 to 2009 generating 14,000 jobs at a 53% rate in Silicon Valley and 9,000 jobs at a 54% rate in St. Louis. Just one program under the St. Louis Climate Prosperity Project is the Green Business Challenge, now beginning its 2nd year. 58 RCGA member companies and organizations, and some 15,000 of their employees, participated in the initial St. Louis Green Business Challenge from February 2010 to this past December. The Green Business Challenge is organized by the RCGA to assist St. Louis area companies in adopting more sustainable business practices and generating substantial “green savings”. Thus far, 78 firms and over 20,000 employees have joined the 2011 St. Louis Green Business Challenge. The Challenge assists companies in forming in-house green teams and helps them to achieve more sustainable practices and cost savings in energy, waste, water, indoor environmental quality and transportation activities. Companies work through a scorecard and earn points on implementing sustainability strategies throughout the year.
Over 250 members participated in the December 7th Awards Breakfast. Please click on this link for a list of the companies that participated in the initial Challenge in 2010: http://www.stlrcga.org/documents/RCGAdvocate/Award_Ad.pdf. For more information on the St. Louis Green Business Challenge, please go to www.stlouisgreenchallenge.com, or contact RCGA Senior Director of Energy and Environment Eric Schneider at 314.444.1148, or via e-mail at eschneider@stlrcga.org. March 21, 2011 RCGA Part Of Civic Coalition Supporting Aerotropolis Legislation As Next Big Step In “The Big Idea”: The RCGA is joining its civic colleagues throughout the region and State in strongly supporting groundbreaking legislation -- Senate Bill 390, “The Aerotropolis Trade Act,” as a key next step in The Big Idea and restaging the region’s and the State’s competitive international position in economic development. This legislation was sponsored in the Senate by Sen. Eric Schmitt (R-Glendale), Chair of the Senate Committee on Jobs, Economic Development & Local Government and co-sponsored by Sen. Bill Stouffer (R-Napton), Chair of the Senate Transportation Committee; and Sen. Brian Munzlinger (R-Clarence), Chair of the Senate Agriculture Committee.
The initial hearing was held on SB 390 last Wednesday, and the Senate Committee on Jobs, Economic Development & Local Government unanimously passed it 9-0. Next step in the Senate is consideration by the full Senate. Making up the 9-0 Committee vote were: Sen. Ron Richard (R-Joplin); Sen. Bob Dixon (R-Springfield); Sen. Jack Goodman (R-Mount Vernon); Sen. John Lamping (R-St. Louis); Sen. Brian Nieves (R-Washington); Sen. Luann Ridgeway (R-Smithville); Sen. Victor Callahan (D-Independence); and Sen. Ryan McKenna (D-Crystal City). For more than 3 years, the RCGA and its local and statewide economic development partners have focused on The Big Idea, the premise of which is that we can restage St. Louis’ and Missouri’s international position by creating the Midwest air cargo and commercial hub for China at Lambert-St. Louis International Airport. While we are very encouraged by China’s recent designation of China Eastern and its cargo affiliate China Cargo as the proposed airline to establish this hub, several cargo flights each week will not qualify as The Big Idea. It’s only when our State and region seize the opportunity that these flights represent and completely restage St. Louis as the center of commerce, transportation, and the distribution of goods, that this initiative will become truly transformative and fulfill its full potential. In a way, it’s about taking our State and region back to our roots — geographic advantage and multi-modal transportation. Sen. Schmitt’s leadership in advancing the Aerotropolis legislation is an important vehicle through which our State and region can stimulate the market in the early years of The Big Idea, encouraging shippers and their freight forwarders to ship goods through St. Louis, rather than through their accustomed portals. We believe this legislation will accelerate the development of logistics facilities specifically geared to such international commerce and provide a new outlet for the export of Missouri goods and products — stimulating substantial new jobs and new investment for the State and region. In presenting Senate Bill 390 before the Senate Jobs, Economic Development and Local Government Committee this past Wednesday, Sen. Schmitt correctly noted that now is the time to take action and allow the State to create an infrastructure to spur demand to open trade lines for new markets. “There is a tremendous opportunity here, if we allow ourselves to think globally. This could change the trajectory of our State’s economy for the next 100 years,” he noted. March 16, 2011 “Gateway To Innovation” Conference To Showcase St. Louis IT Industry Successes On Tuesday, April 5th: Helping companies maintain their competitive edge with information technology (IT) is the focus of the 4th Annual Gateway To Innovation Conference on Tuesday, April 5th, at the Chase Park Plaza Hotel. Presented by IBM, this full day Gateway To Innovation Conference brings together exceptional IT industry leaders and thinkers from around the world, exploring how IT drives growth in industries such as Life Sciences, Manufacturing, Finance and Global Commerce, and more.
The RCGA and St. Louis Commerce Magazine are pleased to once again be Innovation and Media Partners for this year’s Conference. The Conference is co-hosted by the IT Coalition, the Society for Information Management (SIM), the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS), the Center for the Application of Information Technology (CAIT), and the CIO Board of St. Louis. The keynote speakers are: Julia King, Executive Editor and National Correspondent for Computerworld magazine; innovator Michael Hawley; filmmaker David Breashears; and Luis Von Ahn, an award-winning scientist and innovator. Other highlights include: 25 interactive sessions highlighted by industry leaders addressing the convergence of IT with other business imperatives; an awards program celebrating local leaders and the future of regional growth, plus a gala networking event. To register, please go to www.G2Iconference.com. March 15, 2011 U.S. Chamber President Tom Donohue Addresses Sold-Out RCGA Luncheon, Brings Agenda For Jobs And Growth To St. Louis Region: In what was his 2nd visit to the RCGA in 4 years, U.S. Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Tom Donohue on Friday focused on the need to improve the nation’s regulatory process, modernize infrastructure, reform education, and expand trade.
Speaking to a sold-out luncheon crowd of over 100 St. Louis regional business, civic and elected leaders, including Missouri Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder, Donohue spoke at the RCGA as the U.S. Chamber rolls out its Project No Project initiative in Washington, D.C. this week. This study takes a state-by-state look at the economic impact and jobs that could be created if the regulatory red tape and permitting delays were removed from stalled energy projects in 49 states, including Missouri. “The new rules, regulations, and mandates emanating from Washington is without precedent,” Donohue noted. “It’s not just that the system is broken in Washington and that there are far too many unnecessary rules and regulations—it’s how these rules are implemented at the local level and how the system is so wide open to abuse.” He also reminded business leaders about the importance of an adequately funded and well-maintained infrastructure system to economic growth and job creation. “At the federal level, no sane person would argue that our infrastructure is in good shape,” he said. “Civil engineers give our overall system an abysmal ‘D,’ even as our international competitors invest more and race ahead.” Discussing an issue that he noted gets fleeting attention in Washington, Donohue called for business leaders to support an effort to “Build the best, most innovative, and most effective school systems in the world.” The Chamber supports the Obama Administration’s $4 billion Race to the Top grant program which, as Donohue said, is a, “Tremendous catalyst for greater innovation, accountability, and higher standards in American schools.” Donohue met with reporters before the luncheon. In an interview with St. Louis Post-Dispatch business reporter Tim Logan, in his piece published yesterday, “Chamber president talks jobs, health care,” Donohue noted, "America has a lot of challenges ahead," he said. "But I don't see a nation destined to slide into mediocrity. I see a country whose best days are yet to come."Please click here to read the entire Post article: http://www.stltoday.com/business/local/article_a0d17ff7-4659-5006-8cfa-1288c8de0f45.html St. Louis Beacon reporter Jo Mannies also attended the luncheon, posting her piece on Friday, “Chamber of Commerce president backs immigration reform, higher gas tax at RCGA speech.” Please click here to read the entire Beacon article: http://www.stlbeacon.org/voices/blogs/political-blogs/beacon-backroom/108857-chamber-of-commerce-president-rcga-speech The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world’s largest business federation representing the interests of more than 3 million businesses of all sizes, sectors, and regions, as well as state and local chambers and industry associations. March 14, 2011 “Toward Climate Prosperity 2.0” Executive Roundtable In Pocantico Hills, NY Showcases St. Louis, Silicon Valley, Denver And Portland Climate Prosperity Projects: The St. Louis Climate Prosperity Project is being showcased as one of 4 National Pilots (along with Denver, Silicon Valley and Portland), in a 2-day national Executive Roundtable sponsored by the Rockefeller Brothers Fund here in Pocantico Hills, New York. The 2-day retreat brings together leaders in economic development and business, including corporate leaders from Applied Materials, CH2M Hill, Cisco Systems, Citibank, NRG Energy, Schneider Electric, KB Homes, McKinstry, and others. RCGA Senior Director for Energy & Environment Eric Schneider and I are presenting today and tomorrow at this Executive Roundtable featuring climate/economic development “best practices.” The Roundtable is entitled, “Toward Climate Prosperity 2.0 - Generating Shared Value for Business and Regions by Creating a Prosperous Low-Carbon Economy through Energy Savings, Economic Opportunities and Job Creation.” Climate prosperity -- a business-driven, economic development approach to sustainability and clean energy -- is seen as critical to reviving our nation’s economy and global competitiveness, as well as an enhanced approach to environmental stewardship. I am pleased to serve as President of the Board of Trustees of the national Climate Prosperity Inc. organization, established in 2009 by the Rockefeller Brothers Fund. Among the various topics to be covered over the next 2 days are:
Included in the St. Louis presentation was background on the recently completed Green Confluence in St. Louis, a joint civic venture between the RCGA, the Missouri Career Center; Southwestern Illinois workNet; Saint Louis University Center for Sustainability; St. Louis Public Radio 90.7 KWMU; and nineNetwork Channel 9. This aspect of the St. Louis Climate Prosperity Project focused on aligning supply and demand in the green workforce in St. Louis. It included excellent video documentation by the nineNetwork Channel 9 in 3 videos produced for the event. Please click here for a sampling of the products of the St. Louis Climate Prosperity Project as it relates to talent and workforce. March 10, 2011 2011 InvestMidwest Venture Capital Forum To Be Held Wednesday & Thursday, March 30th & 31st In Kansas City: InvestMidwest is quickly approaching, so we encourage you to register today to attend, as well as passing along this reminder to your colleagues in the investor community. InvestMidwest is an outstanding deal-making and networking event for investors and entrepreneurs, and professionals who work with both.
InvestMidwest is the annual showcase for the best technology and high-growth companies throughout the Midwest and surrounding states, co-sponsored for the past 12 years by business and venture capital leaders in St. Louis and Kansas City. InvestMidwest continues to attract participation by growing Midwestern entrepreneurial companies seeking investment. The selected companies present to some of the nation's top venture capitalists and angel investors. Companies that presented at InvestMidwest over its first 11 years have raised more than $400 million in equity investment. The host site is the Overland Park Convention Center, Overland Park, KS. InvestMidwest will once again bring together some of the country's leading venture capitalists, corporate investors and angel investors, who will gather for the presentations. Selection of presenting companies is based on a company's value proposition, management team, products or services, marketing strategy, market opportunity and financial summary. The 2011 forum will feature high-growth companies on three tracks: one track will be for life and bio-sciences; one will focus on clean technology and alternative energy, and the final track will feature general business and technology. InvestMidwest over the last 11 years has been held in alternative years in St. Louis and in the Kansas City metropolitan area. Last year's event in St. Louis featured 44 presenting companies. The 12th annual InvestMidwest Venture Capital Forum is supported by a diverse group of public and corporate sponsors. Founding organizational sponsors are: the RCGA; KCSourceLink; Missouri Venture Forum; The Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce; and the Kansas Technology Enterprise Corporation. For more information about attending this year’s program in Kansas City, please contact InvestMidwest Venture Capital Forum Executive Director Christine Walsh at (314) 444-1151, e-mail her at cwalsh@stlrcga.org, or visit www.investmidwestforum.com. March 9, 2011 2011 “Who's Who, What's What In St. Louis" Presents Unique Resource On St. Louis Region: The 2011 annual Who's Who, What's What In St. Louis is now on newsstands throughout the St. Louis region and is in the mail to all RCGA members.
Who’s Who, What’s What In St. Louis is the RCGA’s annual guide to our member companies, organizations and governmental leaders across the bi-state region, and comprehensive reference piece on the metro area. Please take a few moments to check out these outstanding businesses and organizations. They are the backbone of the St. Louis regional economy. The contents of the annual publication are below:
As one of the nation’s longest standing chambers of commerce, we continue to underscore the 3 pillars of the RCGA’s mission:
To strengthen the region’s economy, we are sharpening our economic development focus on growing industries: sustainable technologies such as clean energy, multi-modal supply chain management, financial and information services, medical science and services, and advanced manufacturing and technology. The Who's Who section includes a compilation of who's who in business and civic leadership in the region, including a look at the RCGA leadership -- board members, council members, and economic development leaders. The What's What section provides a comprehensive digest of regional facts, figures, and a look at quality of life information and data about St. Louis. This section also includes an insightful overview of the region, its population and demographics, its educational assets, its workforce business environment, along with real estate contacts and details about taxes and utilities. You will also find a snapshot of the St. Louis region's 2011 Public Policy and Legislative Agenda, both in Missouri and Illinois for the business community. Additional copies of Who's Who, What's What may be purchased by members for $10; non-member retail cost is $40. Every RCGA member receives a copy as part of their membership. To purchase copies of Who's Who, What's What In St. Louis, please call Mary Perez at the RCGA at (314) 444-1181, or e-mail her at mperez@stlrcga.org. March 8, 2011 RCGA Hosts U.S. Chamber President & CEO Tom Donohue, This Friday, March 11th: Just a reminder. We look forward to hosting U.S. Chamber of Commerce President & CEO Tom Donohue at the next RCGA Public Policy Speaker Series this Friday, March 11th, in the Regional Collaboration Center at the RCGA, One Metropolitan Square, 13th floor, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. Donohue will present on the critical job creation and competitiveness issues facing Congress and the Obama Administration at this virtually sold-out RCGA luncheon.
For more information about the RCGA Public Policy Speaker Series featuring Tom Donohue this Friday, please contact Sherri Bailey today at the RCGA at 314.444.1134, or via e-mail at sbailey@stlrcga.org. March 7, 2011 Peabody Energy CEO Greg Boyce: “We Look Forward To Continuing To Power Our Regional Economy”: With those words, Greg Boyce proudly announced on Wednesday morning Peabody’s long-term commitment to the City of St. Louis and to the region overall. At a news conference in the company’s world headquarters at the newly renamed Peabody Plaza at 701 Market St., Peabody renewed its 15-year lease at the downtown building, increasing its occupied square footage by more than 30% to accommodate its growing workforce. I was pleased to join Greg, Mayor Francis Slay, Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon and Partnership for Downtown St. Louis President Maggie Campbell in the news conference.
Peabody remains a local economic anchor, growing its St. Louis workforce by 12% in 2010. The company currently employs more than 600 people on 6 floors of its Market Street building. Peabody, the world's largest private-sector coal producer, fueling 10% of U.S. power and 2% of worldwide electricity, will expand to 9 of the structure’s 15 floors, occupying 220,000 square feet, and the company expects to commit as much as $25 million to building upgrades. Construction activity will begin shortly, and the majority of the upgrades are expected to be completed by the end of this year. Mayor Slay cited the City’s long-term economic development vision as a catalyst for Peabody’s decision. Since 1999, investors have poured $3.3 billion into downtown. Some 1,300 residential housing units have been added within the last 5 years. “Peabody Energy is playing a vital role in revitalizing the heart of downtown,” the Mayor noted. “Its continued presence makes our City far more prominent in the high-growth energy sector and the building enhancements to Peabody Plaza will help attract new businesses and benefit the tax base.” In what Governor Nixon called, "An incredible bit of economic development generosity," Peabody also announced it is returning $10 million in Federal New Market Tax Credits that had been granted to the company by the City of St. Louis to fund upgrades to the property. The St. Louis Board of Aldermen will be able to use this pool of federal dollars for future economic development projects. The City of St. Louis also authorized modest payroll, construction and personal property incentives that are estimated at $2.5 million over the life of the agreement to encourage Peabody’s local job creation activities and investment. Peabody continues to earn worldwide recognition for safety, financial, environmental and corporate excellence, including 30 honors in 2010 alone. Most recently, the RCGA and RubinBrown presented the 2010 Ameren Corporate Citizenship Award to Peabody Energy at the 15th annual Greater St. Louis Top 50 Awards Gala & Dinner last November. In the past year, Peabody:
March 2, 2011 RCGA Hosts U.S. Chamber President & CEO Tom Donohue, Friday, March 11th: U.S. Chamber of Commerce President & CEO Tom Donohue will once again be the luncheon keynote speaker at the next RCGA Public Policy Speaker Series on Friday, March 11th, in the Regional Collaboration Center at the RCGA, One Metropolitan Square, 13th floor, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. Donohue, who leads the world's largest business organization representing more than 3 million businesses and organizations, last spoke at the RCGA in July 2007. He will present on the critical job creation and competitiveness issues facing Congress and the Obama Administration.
For reservations and more information about the RCGA Public Policy Speaker Series featuring Tom Donohue, please contact Sherri Bailey today at the RCGA at 314.444.1134, or via e-mail at sbailey@stlrcga.org. March 1, 2011 Entrepreneurship Blossoming In St. Louis: Congratulations to RCGA Board member and Divergence CEO Derek Rapp on this past week’s announcement that his 12-year-old entrepreneurial venture, Divergence, had been acquired by Monsanto. Supported by the St. Louis ArchAngels and other early stage investors in St. Louis, Divergence is a great entrepreneurial success story for the St. Louis BioBelt.
As St. Louis Post-Dispatch business columnist David Nicklaus noted in his Friday, February 25th column, “As St. Louis assembled money, facilities and talent to build a life-sciences industry, backers often said we lacked just one key ingredient: success stories. This week, with the sale of Divergence to Monsanto, we got a success story worth talking about. The hope is that the buzz surrounding the agricultural-technology firm - and the profit it made for investors - will inspire other entrepreneurs to start companies here and make it easier for them to find money.” Please click on this link to read the entire column: http://www.stlrcga.org/documents/mm/_110225_Divergence.pdf
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