Page 101 - FDI Alliance International Magazine. Spring 2021 Digital Interactive Issue

2020 shows St. Charles County led Missouri in developments, with another four in progress. Officials said by working together, staying safe,
population growth from 2014 through 2019. These developments, which feature a wide variety and remaining focused and resilient, the EDC
The County added just over 24,000 residents of live/work options, as well as dining, shopping, and local communities and businesses are coming
during the time, for a 6.6% increase over the entertainment venues, and green spaces, have out of last year’s downturn better and stronger.
previous five-year reporting period. The St. Louis been enormously popular with both residents
Post-Dispatch noted the County's growth was and visitors alike. BUSINESS RETENTION AND EXPANSION
particularly striking since Missouri only grew by In order to assist existing businesses with weathering
1% during the same time frame. Dardenne Prairie is home to one of the newest the pandemic and beyond, some might consider
mixed-use developments currently in the works: the resources of the organization, Business Retention
“Even with all this growth in development and Shops at Old Town Square, a $55 million project & Expansion International (BREI). This organization
population, St. Charles County’s cost of living is slated for completion in December 2022. remains laser-focused on BR&E efforts and can assist
the second lowest in Missouri on the ACCRA Cost a business with strategies to help carry the business
of Living Index,” said Scott J. Drachnik, president “Most of our cities large and small in St. Charles through the pandemic and beyond. The website for
and CEO of the Economic Development County are hard at work with developers to bring this organization is www.BREI.org.
Council (EDC) of St. Charles County, “and we more mixed-used developments to market,”
are considered one of the most affordable large Drachnik said. “While our logistics sector is really While the pandemic has certainly created difficulties,
collar counties in the nation.” taking off and manufacturing continues to be the businesses in Dardenne Prairie and St.
strong, destination areas that combine residential Charles County have developed strategies to
CONTINUED ECONOMIC INVESTMENT with restaurants and office space are a growing remain successful and productive.
trend our citizens, labor force, and businesses
The County's 2020 construction boom extended are eager to enjoy as we emerge from the
beyond residential real estate. St. Charles County COVID-19 pandemic.”
issued $765.6 million in commercial construction
permits in 2020, an 8.7% increase over 2019. LOCAL EDO ORGANIZATION
In fact, nearly 4 million square feet of major
development projects were completed or in Established in 1990 as the regional economic
some stage of construction in 2020, the majority development organization, the Economic
of which were in manufacturing and logistics. Development Council (EDC) of St. Charles County
Local economic developers are closely watching has a strong track record of assisting startups and
the dip in demand for office space—fortunately, businesses of all sizes.
the County did not overbuild in that sector, with
current supply in alignment with demand. According to their 2020 Annual Report, none DAN R. LANG, PCED, BREC
of the 30 small businesses in the EDC incubator CITY ADMINISTRATOR
Additionally, new destination landmarks within closed during COVID-19. Instead, five new tenants CITY OF DARDENNE PRAIRIE
mixed-use developments are on the rise in St. opened, and three existing tenants expanded as
Charles County, in line with national trends towards entrepreneurs pivoted to survive and thrive during
walkable, “all-inclusive” residential communities the pandemic. Likewise, the EDC’s 504 lending 636-755-5303
offering a wide variety of services, amenities, and program exceeded expectations by helping 20
entertainment options. St. Charles County is businesses with total project investment of $34.4 Dan.Lang@dardenneprairie.org
currently home to four successful mixed-use million, creating and retaining 637 jobs in the process.

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