North County Incorporated 2009 Accomplishments

Business Development

• Advocated for support of St. Louis County Economic Council's (SLCEC) work with the National Archives and Records Administration to keep the National Personnel Records Center in North County and retain more than 800 jobs
• Represented community on the SLCEC Economic Development Commission, which is working on collaborative projects for municipalities and the County
• Served on the NorthPark Joint Development Commission, a 550-acre mixed-use development in North County
• Responded to requests for information on economic investment, housing growth, transportation improvements, development opportunities and facts about North County

Capacity Building

• Hosted free educational webinar for area economic development professionals and community leaders on Business Retention and Expansion Programs in an Economic Development Downturn
• Supported legislation to stimulate growth and job retention, encourage business retention and expansion, entrepreneurial and small business development, the exploration of a supplier tax credit and harsher legislation against predatory lending practices
• Received a US Bank grant to advance NCI's efforts in business retention and community leadership development
• Worked with the Urban Land Institute team brought in by St. Louis County to conduct a comprehensive review of the factors affecting the viability of Jamestown Mall and explore possible adaptive re-use solutions

Projects

• Collaborated with the City of Normandy, the University of Missouri-St. Louis and East- West Gateway Council of Governments (EWGCG) on a "Great Streets" improvement study along Natural Bridge Road
• Partnered with MoDOT and St. Louis County to explore ways to address funding needs for the I-270 corridor study (North project)
• Hosted a MoDOT I-270 Corridor "scope of work" planning meeting with community stakeholders
• Held a North County Housing Seminar on the current status of housing in our community, new homes forecast, current supply and demand, and housing as it relates to our senior population

Capacity Building

• Served on Metro's "Moving Transit Forward" Advisory Council and advocated for an improved multi-modal transportation system. We also worked with Metro to decrease the impact of service reductions on the North County area
• Hosted meetings for the EWGCG "Renewing the Region" community stakeholder engagement initiative to encourage local participation in this strategic planning process
• Served as an advocate for equitable transportation and infrastructure funding for North County and continued to emphasize the maintenance of existing infrastructure
• Provided support letters for municipal grant applications for infrastructure improvements
• Supported the E-911 sales tax increase to fund an improved emergency communication system
• Passed a resolution of support for participation in Census 2010, formed partnership with the U.S. Census Bureau to encourage increased participation in Census 2010 and joined St. Louis County's Complete Count Committee

Capacity Building

• Encouraged legislators to provide equitable and adequate funding for schools and reduce the years to fully fund the new foundation formula
• Supported the local autonomy of school districts and opposed legislative efforts to impose new restrictions upon the authority of local districts
• Supported legislation that would improve the budgets for the University of Missouri- St. Louis and St. Louis Community College's workforce development programs
• Partnered with News 20 to produce and broadcast a television special on area schools' math, engineering, technology and science programs and initiatives to provide a more qualified workforce
• Supported the Riverview Gardens School District's bond issue that will provide classroom, security, health and safety upgrades throughout the district

Events

• Participated in the North County School/Business Partnership by serving on the Board of Directors and participating in events, such as the Jobs Skills Fair, Career Fair, Leadership Academy, and Ethics in the Workplace Seminar
• Promoted educational members' fundraising efforts to help support the purchase of technology, sport and art programs

Collaboration

• Promoted the close-to-home, quality healthcare available in North County, as well as our providers' services expansion progress and their excellent new service rankings throughout the state and nation
• Encouraged use of local doctors and specialists through our online Healthcare Directory at NorthStLouisCounty.com
• Assisted local doctors' efforts to attract additional health providers to North County
• Distributed the North County CARES social service resource guide published by St. Louis Community College at Florissant Valley
• Supported MoHealthNet legislation, which would maintain the safety net for those who cannot afford or are ineligible for health insurance, provide mental health parity, and adequately reimburse providers, in an effort to increase access to care
• Opposed legislation that would repeal the Certificate of Need for new hospitals
• Advocated for legislation that would restore the funding for adult outpatient therapies, legislation that would provide additional funding for trauma centers, and legislation that supported pooled purchasing associations to offer self-insured coverage under ERISA to small businesses, individuals, the self-employed and municipalities

Capacity Building

• Continued efforts to understand and assist with issues impacting area health providers
• Served on the SSM DePaul Health Center Exceptional Satisfaction Council
• Attended health providers' community leader meetings
• Promoted area providers' fundraising efforts to assist with medical equipment, technology and service advances
• Promoted hospitals' monthly community health events to increase knowledge of preventative care and healthy living

Marketing

• Received grant to promote participation in Census 2010 through a reusable shopping bag giveaway. Targeted area populations that are typically undercounted
• Published monthly NCI E-Newsletter, a popular member benefit that increases communication with our members about their activities and accomplishments
• Launched a new member benefit-an online membership directory
• Expanded and maintained our regional resource website, NorthStLouisCounty.com, which provides information about North County and NCI
• Continued distribution of the Explore, Experience, Embrace North St. Louis County community magazine
• Connected community and business leaders with resources in the area, responded to various requests for information about services North County. We always refer these calls to member providers whenever possible
• Continued our partnership with Jamestown Mall and St. Louis Mills to provide information at kiosks about area assets, resources and member events for local residents
• Received recognition on NCI activities, helping establish the organization's role as an authoritative "voice" for the advancement of North County

Events

• Partnered with the North County Suburban Journal and News 20 on NCI Salutes 30 Leaders in their Thirties, which connects NCI with young professionals who are becoming leaders in North County and celebrates their local contributions
• Honored several distinguished business, civic and community leaders for their exceptional contributions to North County at NCI's 32nd Annual Breakfast
• Hosted a North County Legislative Reception in partnership with the area's four Chambers of Commerce
• Participated in area Chambers of Commerce's business support activities