With summer vacations now behind us and kids back to school, this issue of
St. Louis Commerce Magazine takes a look at the region’s future through the lens of four strategic initiatives that have emerged from a year-long process by the RCGA Board that is aimed at enhancing the St. Louis region’s economic competitiveness and quality of life.
This issue examines the process and the product of this effort. The four initiatives are: sharpening on the region’s economic development products; leveraging the region’s locational advantages; developing a region-wide approach to talent attraction, development and retention; and charting the region’s green future through the Climate Prosperity Project.
The cover story describes how two blocks in downtown St. Louis have been transformed into a vibrant and serene blending of lush plantings and internationally renowned sculpture. Crafted from two formerly vacant blocks, Citygarden represents a partnership between the City of St. Louis and the Gateway Foundation, a St. Louis-based nonprofit organization. Since opening on July 1st, the garden continues to generate both local and national rave reviews.
Speaking of monumental sculpture and sculpture gardens, on October 10th, Chesterfield unveils its sculpture garden in Central Park with world renowned sculpture J. Seward Johnson’s 5-piece, 70 by 17 foot work, “The Awakening,” as their contribution to the region’s unique cultural offerings.
Betty Burnett concludes her four-part 172-year history of the RCGA in this issue; this covering the early and mid-1990s, to the early part of this decade, on through present-day initiatives.
Two annually occurring events are the focus of articles in this issue. The first is the upcoming SciFest ‘09 at the Saint Louis Science Center—a science festival developed as a way to change people’s perceptions about science and technology by presenting it in a fun and entertaining way. The second is the Olin Cup at the Skandalaris Center for Entrepreneurial Studies at Washington University in St. Louis, an event held to promote learning and entrepreneurial collaboration leading to the creation of new business ventures.
“From the Ground Up” in this edition focuses on St. Louis’ second Platinum LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified building, the highest designation available to buildings demonstrating energy efficiency. The 90,000-square-foot new corporate headquarters facility combines the HQ offices for Novus International with its research center. It includes the largest array of solar panels in Missouri (5,000 square feet), an under-floor air distribution system, and landscaping using Missouri native grasses and plants.
This issues’ “A Day in the Work Life” features Wendy Henry, new managing partner of the CPA and advisory firm BKD LLP. And “Business Portrait” focuses on Ed Alizadeh, president and CEO of Geotechnology, the
St. Louis-based engineering and environmental services company.
And finally in this issue of St. Louis Commerce, our “Spotlight” features Mark Mantovani, a lawyer-turned-marketing guru. Mark is president and CEO of St. Louis-based NSI Marketing Services. He turned the 50-person company with about $5.5 million in revenue into a 325-person firm with expected revenue of $43 million.
We hope you enjoy reading this issue of
St. Louis Commerce Magazine. As always, please send your comments and suggestions to us at dfleming@stlrcga.org.
RICHARD C.D. FLEMING
Publisher
St. Louis Commerce Magazine
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