Rebecca Zoll
A Message from NCI President/CEO, Rebecca Zoll
2014 is already proving to be a very active and exciting year.
NCI in partnership with the Greater North County Chamber of Commerce, Northwest Chamber of Commerce and Maryland Heights Chamber of Commerce is hosting our Annual North County Legislative Reception this month; as usual we are expecting a full house. A big THANK YOU to Christian Hospital for generously providing their wonderful Atrium Room at the Detrick Building, along with lots of great food and drink. The St. Louis Community College-Florissant Valley, again this year, helped us out with our invitations. The support of both of these NCI members in making the reception possible is very much appreciated. At the reception, Workforce Solutions at St. Louis Community College’s Ann Brand will provide a brief update on the Partnership’s legislative priorities. NCI and the North County area Chambers represent more than 1,000 business, civic and community members. For a copy of our 2014 North County Legislative Agenda please go to our website at www.NorthStLouisCounty.com. I would like to thank the area Chambers for their participation again this year.
You will want to mark your calendar for NCI’s 37th Annual Breakfast on Friday, May 16, 2014 at the Renaissance St. Louis Airport Hotel. Tickets for the event are available now and cost $45 per individual. We are currently looking for award nominations and sponsors for the event. You can find all of the information on our website at www.NorthStlouisCounty.com. This is NCI’s largest event of the year with nearly 600 business, civic and community leaders coming together to celebrate North County’s accomplishments. To be a part of this exciting event and not miss out on the summer’s largest networking event for our community be sure to get your sponsorships in soon.
NOMINATE SOMEONE TODAY!
As always we are seeking business development, community development, public service and leadership award nominations. Please think about who you could nominate to be honored with one of our prestigious recognition awards. For details on criteria and to see who has been honored in the past click here. The deadline to nominate someone is Thursday, March 17, 2014.
Please be advised that the North County Incorporated (NCI) Board of Directors, in February, voted to support the transfer of jurisdiction oversight of the West Lake Landfill to the United States Army Corps of Engineers’ Formerly Utilized Sites Remedial Action Program (FUSRAP). Transferring the jurisdiction oversight to FUSRAP will allow experts in this area to assess the site, provide action plans for the containment or remediation, and long-term management of the site. We have sent letters to our legislators respectfully requesting their support in this matter. A full press release can be accessed here.
I want to congratulate NCI board member Mayor Tom Schneider and the City of Florissant for offering a unique new housing program for potential home buyers. The program will match their down payment on the purchase of a home within the Florissant city limits up to $6,000. This Homeownership Assistance Program is a forgivable loan after 5 years of residency in the home. They also offer assistance to improve the home, as well. You can visit the City of Florissant’s website or click here for more information on this program and how to take advantage of the loan or call Carol O’Mara. North County is already a terrific place to call home and this program will make it a little easier for some to purchase the home of their dreams. If you are aware of other housing programs that are offered to purchase homes in our area, be sure to let us know here at NCI and I will happily mention them our eNewsletter.
NCI LOGO Proudly Sponsors!
On May 17, 2014, Ferguson Twilight Run will celebrate its 5th year as the only evening race in North St. Louis County. Check out all the different ways to participate in this family friendly event at www.fergtwilightrun.com. Now is the time to get registered!
If you are a regular reader of the NCI you know that for several years we have been participating with MoDOT on studies looking at needed improvements along the I-270 Corridor. MoDOT would like your input and is hosting a public open house event on Tuesday, March 18th at the Hazelwood Civic Center East at 4:30pm as part of the Interstate 270 North Environmental Assessment. The event is free and open to the entire community. Click here for more information or click here for the flyer. I encourage all of you as investors in the North County community and provide your feedback.
As part of our joint Legislative Agenda with area Chambers, North County Inc. has taken a position in support of Medicaid Reform. Here is a quick take on the economics around this issue:
Expanding Medicaid in Missouri will be paid with federal funds completely for the first 3 years so FY2014, FY2015 and FY2016. According to a new report from the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center (MERIC) expansion of Medicaid eligibility for adults earning up to 138 percent of the federal poverty level (FPL) is expected to result in the creation of 23, 868 jobs, $9.9 billion in new wages, and $14.6 billion in new Gross State Product (GSP) from 2015-2022. Expansion would also generate $402 million in new state general revenue from 2015 to 2022, including $53 in new general revenue in 2015 alone.
In 2015 alone, the State will save $77.3 million and will see a net positive impact of $94.2 million dollars in general revenue. Even when the state match is at its highest at 10%, the state will still see a positive impact on general revenue of $73 million dollars and will be saving about $33 million a year. Every day we do not expand Medicaid we lose out on these savings and $5 million a day goes to other states that chose to expand last year. Our tax dollars are being sent to other States.
MERIC’s study can be found at www.missourieconomy.org/medicaidreport.pdf.
Expanding Medicaid means an additional 300,000 Missourians will have access to health care and an addition 35,000 in St. Louis County.
Please consider calling on our State Legislature and expressing your concerns regarding this critical issue for the State of Missouri and our local community. Contact information can be found at http://www.senate.mo.gov/14info/SenateRoster.htm for the Senate and at http://www.house.mo.gov/member.aspx for the house.
President/CEO
