The BRE program serves as the essential bridge connecting St. Louis companies with dedicated government and economic development officials.
Left: STL Partnership CEO & President Rodney Crim. Right: VP of Business Development Jason Archer Photo Credit: International Economic Development Council
The St. Louis Economic Development Partnership (STL Partnership) proudly announces its recent recognition at the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) Annual Conference in Dallas, Texas, Sept. 17-20, 2023. The IEDC, the world’s largest organization for economic developers, awarded STL Partnership and its partners the Silver Award for Business Retention and Expansion (BRE) excellence.
“This remarkable achievement exemplifies the benefits of a proactive and coordinated BRE strategy,” said CEO and President of STL Partnership, Rodney Crim.
The IEDC serves more than 5,000 economic development professionals worldwide; and each year, the Annual Conference recognizes outstanding special projects, community achievements, and excellence in economic development. The IEDC receives more than 500 award applications from global participants, making this recognition a remarkable accomplishment for the St. Louis community.
Over the past three years, STL Partnership has collaborated with its partners to form a robust Business Retention and Expansion program. Key partners include St. Louis Development Corporation, Ameren, Spire, Greater St. Louis Inc., Missouri Department of Economic Development, World Trade Center St. Louis, and others.
The primary objective of the program is to connect regional companies that have chosen to invest in St. Louis with resources and support to foster continuous growth and job creation within the community. The BRE committee regularly engages companies of all sizes and industries throughout St. Louis city and county.
One notable success highlighted in the award application is the BRE committee’s role in retaining Kindeva Drug Delivery, a recent spin-off from Pfizer. Through collaboration and engagement with Kindeva leadership, the BRE committee played a pivotal role in retaining the company in St. Louis. The effort resulted in a substantial $100 million investment in a state-of-the-art 155,000-square-foot production facility in Earth City, MO. Kindeva’s investment not only contributes to the local economy but also reinforces St. Louis’ stature as a prominent hub for innovation in the healthcare industry.
STL Partnership and its partners remain committed to advancing economic development and fostering growth opportunities for businesses in St. Louis.
