|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
St. Louis Business & Technology News
www.slfp.com/SLFPBIZp.htm "When you think Saint Louis, think Saint Louis Front Page," a weekly publication covering the news and events in the greater St. Louis area. 
St. Louis Front Page P.O. Box 1354 St. Louis, MO 63188 Voice: 314-771-0200 Fax: 314-771-0300 To submit news, contact: editor@slfp.com To advertise, contact: advertising@slfp.com 
|
ST. LOUIS, MO, (SLFP.com), May 1, 2007 - The Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA), U.S. Department of Commerce, announced today at a press conference new funding to establish the St. Louis Minority Business Enterprise Center (St. Louis MBEC). MBDA awarded the St. Louis Minority Business Council (SLMBC) with a $232,800 grant to operate the St. Louis MBEC after conducting a competitive solicitation and evaluation process. The St. Louis MBEC will open in new office space inside the St. Louis Minority Business Council, located at 308 North 21st Street, Suite 700. MBEC will help minority business enterprises (MBEs) in the St. Louis metropolitan area and throughout the state of Missouri to successfully compete in a global and changing marketplace. In a statement, MBDA National Director Ronald N. Langston, said, "MBDA is pleased to have a presence in the St. Louis market through the establishment of a new Minority Business Enterprise Center. We recognize the potential growth opportunities for minority-owned firms in this area and the role these firms will play in keeping America competitive in a world-wide economy. Our goal at MBDA is to help these firms to grow in size, scale and capacity so they can create new jobs and contribute to the local and state tax base," continued Langston. The St. Louis MBEC will assist minority entrepreneurs striving to grow and expand their businesses. "Too often minority-owned businesses lose out on work because they are too small to handle demand, said Rodney Crim, Executive Director of the St. Louis Development Corporation. "If we can help mentor and grow minority-owned companies, they will be able to better compete, add workers, generate new business and increase revenues." The Center's services provided include assessing a company's potential to compete for public and private contracts, matching pre-qualified minority business enterprises with public and private sector contract opportunities, offering brokering services and assistance, providing access to buyers of goods and services and obtaining capital investment, bonding and other types of financial assistance. "St. Louis has a tremendous minority-owned business community," said James Webb, President & CEO of the St. Louis Minority Business Council. This grant recognizes St. Louis' ongoing commitment to that community. We will help grow businesses so they can add workforce to compete for larger, more lucrative projects." For more information, call 314-241-1143. Ag Department Takes Action to Help Grape Producers Recover Losses by Importing Grapes ST. LOUIS, MO, (SLFP.com), April 29, 2007 - Recent extreme crop loss from this month's freezing weather has prompted Matt Boatright, acting director of the Missouri Department of Agriculture (MDA), to allow Missouri wine producers to purchase up to 95 percent of grapes and juices from outside of the state to be used for wine making. "Missouri's wine and grape industry has a significant impact and benefits not only the agricultural industry but many other industries across the state," said Matt Boatright. "In response to Gov. Matt Blunt's direction to assist Missouri grape producers, we visited affected vineyards and made the determination of allowing the outside purchase of grapes and juices following a recommendation from the Missouri Wine & Grape Board." Extensive damage to Missouri's 2007 grape crop has been reported and is blamed on the unusual combination of weather circumstances in March and April. After preliminary review, an overall 95 percent reduction in the grape crop is estimated for this year. "It is vital to protect the economic viability of our industry," said Tim Puchta, president of the Missouri Wine and Grape Board. "Bringing in the crop from another state is a difficult decision, but we must keep our options open and be able to bring in adequate product to cover our needs and serve our loyal customers." The days preceding the freeze were recorded as the third warmest, prompting vines to emerge from dormancy and bud. The freeze following those warm days was the coldest period for those dates in 118 years, killing the buds that would normally grow into grape clusters. "Missouri grapes are a thriving part of Missouri's agriculture with over 1,200 acres of vineyards with a production over 700,000 gallons," said Boatright. "Communities benefit from wineries by attracting tourists to their Bed and Breakfasts', restaurants, motels, shopping and other attractions." Percentage losses to each grape variety depend on the location of the vineyard and other variables, such as crop maturity and varietals, could affect the remaining crop. The total impact on the industry will be determined in the weeks and months ahead. The ruling to bring in out-of-state grapes and juices is in effect for the 2007 crop only.  
The Saint Louis Front Page is owned and maintained by the Moore Design Group for the sole purpose of disseminating news and information about the Metropolitan Saint Louis area. Text or graphics may not be copied, rewritten or distributed in any manner whatsoever without written permission. For more information, contact editor@slfp.com All rights reserved world wide © 1996 - 2008 Moore Design Group. |
| ||||||||||||||||||||
