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Issue: 1119 Date: 2/2/2012
Become A Fan, Like St. Louis Chinese American News
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State of St. Louis stresses transportation, cooperation
County Executive Charlie Dooley: China hub at the airport "too important to give up on"
Mayor Francis Slay: "bringing young individuals back to the city"
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| St. Louis County Executive Charlie Dooley address the crowd at this year's State of St. Louis event. |
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It was a packed house at the State of St. Louis event on Friday, January 27, 2012 morning at the Renaissance St. Louis Grand Hotel, hosted by the St. Louis Business Journal.
Key speakers including, Mayor Francis Slay, St. Louis County Executive Charlie Dooley, St. Charles County Executive Steve Ehlmann and St. Clair County Chairman Mark Kern were all in attendance. What was the overall theme of event? It was an increased partnership across the region.
On the Illinois side, in St. Clair Country, Kern said economic progress is being made. Although the county had to cut nearly $36 million from its budget in the last three years, revenue was up seven percent, he said. Growth at the MidAmerica Airport and along the Mississippi River, with the new Mississippi River bridge project and lock work near the Chain of Rocks bridge were mentioned as key steps in economic renewal.
In St. Charles, Ehlmann said transportation and manufacturing will drive the county forward this year. He mentioned the 1,700 jobs added to GM's Wentzville plant and the $100 million Page Avenue extension project. Ehlmann said the road extension was a good example of collaboration between city, county and state organizations.
Dooley stayed away from providing definitive numbers at the event, but said transportation, especially at Lambert-St. Louis International airport, will remain important in expanding both regional and international commerce in the region. He said the China hub at the airport is "too important to give up on."
Finally, St. Louis' Mayor Slay, made his remarks. He mentioned how the city had seen close to $2 billion in construction and expansion since the recession started. Slay said investing in the airport - which he said added 38 new flights in the last 16 months - and investing nearly $20 million in the municipal docks on the Mississippi were positive signs of growth. However, Slay's biggest push was to harness the energy and potential of the young, college educated demographic. He said the city led the nation in bringing young individuals back to the city. "I know how important it is to keep and attract young people. To do that, it starts with good public education."
(St. Louis Business Journal)
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| St. Louis Mayor Francis Slay discusses the city's past and future at this year's State of St. Louis event. |
St. Charles County Executive Steve Ehlmann joins other area leaders at this year's State of St. Louis event. |
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| St. Clair County Executive Mark Kern talks with area leaders at this year's State of St. Louis event. |
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