Happy Holidays! I hope that each of you had a very happy Thanksgiving as you reflected back on all your accomplishments in 2011. North County Incorporated certainly had a busy year and we hope that your successes, like ours, were ones to celebrate. As in past years, our strength lies in building partnerships and collaboratively working with others on events, projects and initiatives that are for the greater good of North St. Louis County. Like us, you are probably busy working on your goals for 2012; I encourage you to consider looking at ways to partner with others and collaborate on projects in 2012. Successes are that much better when shared with others. Some 2011 projects and initiatives that NCI has been involved with this year on behalf of our members include:

• Transportation/Infrastructure: I-270 Corridor Study, after years of advocating that a study be done along this important transportation and economic corridor in St. Louis County we are thrilled to say that the study is underway and MoDOT is well on its way to identifying the transportation improvements needed to improve access, safety and development in this corridor. We are now serving on a Community Advisory Group for this study and will continue to keep you posted on the study as it progresses. For more information go to http://www.modot.mo.gov/stlouis/I-270CorridorStudy.htm. Continued serving on East-West Gateway Council of Governments “Great Streets” Natural Bridge Road Study Advisory Group, this is a collaborative with the City of Normandy and the University of Missouri-St. Louis on a “Great Streets” improvement project, conceptual design and a future land use plan along the Natural Bridge Road Corridor. Great Streets projects are designed to improve economic development opportunities and multimodal transportation throughout a corridor in order to spur revitalization. Study is scheduled to be completed this year. Group is beginning the process of identifying funding sources for the improvements called for in the study. For more information go to http://www.ewgateway.org/nb/default.htm Also, serving on St. Louis County’s Northwest Parkway Study Community Advisory Group to look at creating an improved and more reliable connection between the residential areas of North St. Louis County and employment centers in the Earth City and Riverport areas through identifying improvements needed to increase access and safety along Missouri Bottom Rd. from Highway 370 to Charbonier Road. For more information on this project go to www.northwestparkwaystl.com
  
  

• “The U.S. Bank grant is providing the opportunity for North County, Inc. to prepare the specific business and community information that developers and location specialists need when considering economic development. This will give North St. Louis County a competitive advantage in pursuing new businesses and new jobs.” - Dr. Mark Tranel, Director of Public Policy Research Center.

  Economic Development: NCI, along with the Public Policy Research Center is developing a North County Community Economic Profile, funded through a U.S. Bank Foundation Grant. This study will look at geography, business patterns/ trends, inventory available properties and current development, identify key issues and develop an online message for community economic profile.
  
  
• Education: Began development of an initiative to increase awareness about the successes of our schools, students and educators. Implementation of initiative expected in 2012. Participated in the St. Louis School Business Partnership, representing North County business needs and schools.
  
  
• Healthcare: Developed a plan to increase awareness about the North County area with employees at major health providers in North County. We will begin implementation of this plan in 2012.
  
  
• Communication/Marketing: Developed and launched www.ExploreNorthStLouisCounty.com a comprehensive online resource for North County attractions, recreational opportunities, historic and entertainment venues and more. Published monthly is NCI’s eNewsletter, which is increasing communication about our member’s activities and accomplishments. NCI also launched a Facebook and LinkedIn profile page to increase communication with our members and community. We also participated in a series of articles about positive activities/successes in North County, published in Our Town Magazine, helping increase awareness about the assets in North County. Please consider following us on FaceBook and LinkedIn.
  
  
  
  
• Events: The 2011 NCI 34th Annual Breakfast brought more than 500 business, civic and community leaders together to network and celebrate our area’s growth and development successes. NCI Salutes 30 Leaders in their Thirties, now in its’ fifth year was successful with young professionals being recognized for their professional, civic and charitable contributions to the community. For the annual North County Legislative Agenda & Legislative Reception we partnered with 3 area chambers to adopt a single legislative agenda so that we could speak in one strong voice on legislative matters impacting our community. This collaborative represents more than 1000 businesses, civic and community leaders.

For a complete listing of NCI’s 2011 Accomplishments please CLICK HERE.

Daniel Boyle

Daniel Boyle is sworn in by Florissant City Clerk, Karen Goodwin

Congrats to NCI executive board member, the Honorable Daniel Boyle on being elected Municipal Judge for the City of Florissant! Daniel practices law with his father, Patrick O. Boyle, in the Boyle Law Firm, LLC, in Old Town Florissant.  Dan served as the Provisional Judge for the City of Florissant from August 2006 until April 2011.  He is a past chairman of the Board for the Greater North County Chamber of Commerce, a member of the Florissant Rotary, Florissant Parks Foundation, and is on or been on the Board of Directors for Valley Industries Sheltered Workshop, Old Town Partners and Florissant Valley Jaycees.

Congrats to NCI members Fred Weber, Inc. in being awarded the Corporate Partnership Award and also to the Pattonville School District in being awarded the Public Service Award at the Maryland Heights Chamber of Commerce’s 2011 Business Leaders of the Year Awards Ceremony.

A national change in the way school districts measure graduation rates will make a difference for North County schools, NCI would like to make North County’s leadership and residents aware of this change and how it will affect our school districts. For information on this issue from NCI executive board member Dr. Cheryl Compton, Superintendent of Ritenour School District please CLICK HERE.

Welcome to NCI's newest member:
David Malone
(2011 NCI 30 Leaders in Their Thirties award recipient)
111 West Port Plaza #102
St. Louis, MO 63146

Please mark your 2012 calendars now for the North for NCI’s 35th Annual Breakfast on May 18th, 7:30am at the St. Louis Airport Marriott. Reservations are required for both. Watch our website for more details on this even in 2012.

The work that we do is possible because of you, our generous members. I, along with the North County Incorporated Board of Directors, appreciate your support in 2011 and we look forward to your involvement and support again in 2012. Thank you for helping make NCI's 34th year a successful one.

May your holiday season be filled with family, friends and joyous memories and may 2012 bring you success and happiness!