January 2018 - In this Issue:
Together.
Shaping the Future of North County
Happy New Year!

As we embark on our 2018 strategic goals and objectives, we do so with enthusiasm  and  focus. Our mission remains steadfast: to act as a catalyst to define and advocate  economic and community development for north St. Louis County. Our new board president, Dr. Chris Kilbride, superintendent of Ritenour School District , will help us lead the way.

Last year was chock-full of accomplishments  including helping to  revitalize Natural Bridge Road corridor in partnership with the University of Missouri St. Louis and City of  Normandy; investing in the development of and provided the "Building
Blocks for Growing Your Business" small business educational and capacity building initiative in partnership with St. Louis Community College - Florissant Valley and U.S. Bank;  advocating for job & workforce development funding among other successes.  We'll strive to make 2018 no exception. 

We look forward to another successful, busy year filled with initiatives that help churn the economic and community development engines for North County! We are kicking off the new year with a focus on advancing our Discover North County campaign to increase awareness about the positive aspects of North County to improve the perception of the community.  Also we will be launching an educational initiative to increase awareness and  understanding around the economic benefits of racial equity for North  County.

We will keep you updated on important news about what is happening with our many members through our monthly electronic newsletter, as well as an occasional update from me.   Th ank you for your partnership!  May you all have a successful 2018.  

Rebecca Zoll
President/CEO

 
Welcome New Members!

We are pleased to welcome our newest members to North County Inc.! Thank you for your support.
  • St. Louis Community Credit Union
  • Shepherding Images Studio
  • Paramount Bank
Board Member Mayor Schneider Moves Transportation Forward

In 2017 the Missouri General Assembly formed the 21 st  Century Missouri Transportation Task Force to review transportation across the State and bring recommendations NCI Board Member and Minority Floor Leader, Senator Gina Walsh appointed NCI Board member and Florissant Mayor Tom Schneider to serve on the task force.

Mayor Schneider and several other area leaders testified before the task force about the importance of solving the transportation funding shortage, which is keeping North County from maintaining its current infrastructure at an appropriate level to ensure safety and reasonable access to roads. Schneider impressed upon the task force the importance of advancing the I-270 Corridor project and I-70 Corridor study for the North County community.  

Thank you Mayor Schneider for helping NCI have the opportunity to testify before this task force and advocate for the improvements in transportation necessary for advancing the needs of North County. Among other recommendations, the task force has recommended a gas tax increase of 10 cents per gallon and diesel fuel by 12 cents per gallon. 

City of Jennings Unveils New Senior Living Residence

NCI staff and board members were pleased to join many of North County's community leaders and dignatories to celebrate the grand opening of The Residences at Jennings Place II, a new low-income housing tax credit development located in Jennings.  

Congrats to the City on this new asset for your community! 

North St. Louis County Metro Transit Centers Hosts Mobile Health Screening Unit

A mobile health screening unit called Links 2 Health is available and free of charge to riders. A federal grant is funding the pilot program, which features health assessments, blood pressure and diabetes screenings for adults age 18
and older. 

The program is a collaborative between the St. Louis County Department of Public Health and Bi-State Development to bring the mobile unit to transit riders in north St. Louis County. 

The mobile health screening unit rotates among the following locations from
11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.:
  • Monday: Rock Road MetroLink Station - Pagedale
  • Tuesday: North County Transit Center - Ferguson
  • Wednesday: North Hanley Transit Center - Berkeley
  • Thursday: Wellston Transit Center

Call for Proposals for Jamestown Mall Redevelopment

Developers interested in the Jamestown Mall site have until April 20 to submit a proposal, although  the Port Authority said it reserves the right to push up the deadline if the best proposal is time sensitive.
 
The RFP is available on the St. Louis Economic Development Partnership website and the Jamestown Mall page of the St. Louis County  website. Developers are asked to include a project description including dimensions, design concepts 
and features.

State Capitol Update...

Missouri legislature kicked off 2018 with Speaker Todd Richardson outlining priorities the House expects to tackle including combating human trafficking, lobbyist gift ban, education reform and deregulation. 
 
For more information on public policy activity, please visit Missouri Economic Development Council's website.


Save the Date!
NCI 41st Annual Breakfast

Join us 7 a.m., Friday, May 18 at the Marriot Hilton Airport for our to-be and be-seen signature event! Our banner breakfast celebrates individuals, organizations and businesses whose efforts have impacted the development of North County.  It is a great networking, too!

 
Save the Date!