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We often use
“regional business community” to describe the thousands of businesses
that thrive in the St. Louis region. Putting aside our competitive
instincts, the business community comes together and works toward
common goals, striving to make St. Louis a better place to live
and prosper economically.
But pulling together has never been more important—or rewarding—than
over the last year or so, while we confront the challenges facing
Lambert–St. Louis International Airport.
We all remember the July 2003 announcement. American Airlines, responding
to market forces outside the St. Louis region—many of which were
beyond their control—were forced to drastically reduce their flights
at Lambert.
Less than five weeks after American’s announcement, St. Louis Mayor
Francis Slay asked the business community to help establish the
Business Task Force on Lambert–St. Louis International Airport.
The RCGA, along with Civic Progress and the Regional Business Council,
helped recruit the 17-member task force, which was ably chaired
by retired May Department Store Co. Chairman David Farrell.
Last year, the task force published its findings and recommendations.
For the airport to remain cost competitive in future years, our
per passenger enplanement costs must be reduced.
But simply identifying the problem wasn’t an answer. What was needed
was business leaders willing to dedicate their time and experience
in helping Lambert respond to a changing environment.
Enter Barry Beracha.
Beracha, the recently retired CEO of the Clayton-headquartered Sara
Lee Bakery Group, and a past member of Civic Progress, and past
chair of the Private Sector Infrastructure Council, stepped forward
and has generously donated his time.
Working hand-in-hand with Airport Director Leonard L. Griggs Jr.,
Beracha and his team are bringing fresh ideas and new thinking to
the venerable Lambert. This comes on top of a renewed commitment
by Griggs and his staff to make the airport a competitive player
in the increasingly competitive aviation marketplace. Further, the
City of St. Louis has dedicated $2 million from its general operating
fund to help ameliorate the costs at Lambert.
A community effort, indeed.
In this issue of Commerce, you’ll get Beracha’s thoughts
on Lambert, and what he considers the key to the airport’s future.
You’ll also see that the fiscal news at Lambert is brightening by
the week; already, the revenue gap has been cut in half since the
task force report was released.
Not to be overlooked, of course, are the other outstanding aviation
assets with which the region is blessed. Spirit of St. Louis, St.
Louis Downtown, St. Louis Regional, and MidAmerica St. Louis all
complement each other, and Lambert, while they serve the region’s
diverse and changing aviation needs.
Scott Air Force Base, too, is critical to our region’s economic
engine. Providing over 13,000 jobs, it’s vitally important that
we as a region navigate the stormy waters of the Defense Departments
Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) process in 2005. U.S. Rep. Jerry
Costello, D-Ill. and the Leadership Council Southwestern Illinois,
have done a superb job in years past of helping Scott survive on
its own merits—but the competition in the upcoming BRAC will be
intense, and it will take a united bistate regional effort to support
our civic colleagues in Southwestern Illinois, if we are to retain
Scott.
To be a true business community takes brains, generosity, and the
willingness to work together for a common cause. As we’ve been reminded
over the last 12 months, the St. Louis region is blessed with all
three.
RICHARD
C.D. FLEMING
President and Chief Executive Officer
St. Louis Regional Chamber and Growth Association
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