Post on 24-Dec-2015
St. Louis Climate Prosperity Project
Climate Prosperity Project National Leadership MeetingFebruary 21, 2009
St. Louis Regional Chamber and Growth Association (RCGA)
St. Louis Regional Chamber and Growth Association (RCGA)
> Chamber of Commerce for 16-county bi-state metropolitan region
> Region’s lead Economic Development Organization
> Mission is to unite the region's business community and to engage dynamic business and civic leadership to develop and sustain a world-class economy and community.
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Involved StakeholdersInvolved Stakeholders> Sustainable St. Louis
> Area Utilities: Ameren and Laclede Gas
> U.S. Green Building Council – St. Louis Chapter
> Local City & County Governments
> Corporations: Anheuser-Busch, Enterprise Rent-A-Car, HOK, Monsanto, Peabody Coal, etc.
> Institutions: Danforth Plant Science Center, Center for Evergreen Energy, Missouri Botanical Garden National Corn-to-Ethanol Center, Washington University
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St. Louis Project LeadershipSt. Louis Project Leadership
> Dick Fleming, President/CEO - St. Louis RCGA
> Tracy Hart, President - Tarlton Corporation
> Daniel Jay, Managing Principal – Christner, Inc.
> Mary Ann Lazarus, Director of Sustainable Design - HOK
> Steve Poplawski, Partner - Bryan Cave
> Eric Schneider, Director of Public Policy Research, St. Louis RCGA
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Opportunities ChallengesHome to BioBelt concentration of plant and life science companies; Battelle Assessment
Fragmented government
8th Fastest growing region for high tech jobs; St. Louis is home of 20 Fortune 1000 HQs
Two states; two federal regions
Higher % of 4-yr college graduates than US and Midwest
Large carbon footprint due to density and reliance on coal for electricity
Proportion of scientists and engineers double the U.S. average
Air quality non-attainment area; old sewer and water systems
Advanced Manufacturing and IT growth makes up for lost manufacturing jobs
Transit system in financial distress
St. Louis Region
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VisionVisionTo Be Nationally Recognized as a Top
Ten Green Region by December 31, 2012
> Improved Air and Water Quality
>BioBelt Home to Renowned Bioenergy Research and Innovative Applications
>Attractive to Young Professionals and “Green and Clean” Tech Businesses
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> Increase energy audits and energy efficiency improvements by area businesses.
> Region-wide recycling and waste management by business.
> Region-wide municipal adoption of U.S. Conference of Mayors Climate Change goals.
> Region-wide stormwater and wastewater management programs.
> Expand use of transit, carpooling, and bike to work programs.
> Public Policy Advocacy agenda for:– Funding for water improvement programs– Transit and transit oriented development – High-speed rail
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Green SavingsMoving to Sustainable Business Practices:
Green SavingsMoving to Sustainable Business Practices:
> Become clean coal technology and bioenergy research hub.
– Pursue FutureGen as St. Louis’ “SEMITech”
> Expand Center for Evergreen Energy (CE2) as national clearinghouse for bioenergy research and public adoption of alternative energy solutions.
> Create “S-Prize” to attract entrepreneurs and new inventions to St. Louis.
> Expand Region-wide Green Purchasing Network.
> Promote the use of bioenergy and alternative energy.
> Public Policy Advocacy Agenda for:– R&D funding for bioenergy research – Fuel incentives
St. Louis Climate Prosperity Project
Green Opportunities Creating Sustainable Industries:
Green Opportunities Creating Sustainable Industries:
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> Inventory the St. Louis area “green workforce”.
> Foster strong relationships among “green industry” cluster of companies to attract, share and develop talent.
> Connect K-20 curriculum with math, science, and engineering jobs in environmental industries.
> Engage area unions to retrain to “green” manufacturing jobs.
> Public Policy Advocacy Agenda for:
– Increased job training funds for “green building trades”
– Green building tax credits and construction incentives
St. Louis Climate Prosperity Project
Green TalentGrowing The Workforce:
Green TalentGrowing The Workforce:
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Strategic Planning ProcessStrategic Planning Process> Engage RCGA Board of Directors and Energy and
Environmental Council members in 2009 to identify measurable outcomes of Climate Prosperity Project Objectives.
> Expand stakeholder group to small businesses, education institutions, governments, unions, and trade associations and other civic organizations.
> Implement MIT Sloan School of Management students’ project development framework and systems thinking.
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Future Planning Process for 2009Future Planning Process for 2009
> RCGA Board of Directors sessions focused on St. Louis Climate Prosperity Project and sustainability
> Development of Measurable Objectives by Energy and Environment Council.
> Roll out of Energy Savings Plan for RCGA members in partnership with area utilities.
> Expand communications of RCGA member’s activities on sustainability.
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Regional Competitive AdvantagesRegional Competitive Advantages> Consortium for Clean Coal Utilization and International
Center for Advanced Renewable Energy and Sustainability at Washington University
> Strong plant and life sciences industry cluster “BioBelt”
> Missouri Brownfield Tax Credit first in the nation; IL Brownfield Municipal Grant Fund.
> Missouri Historic Preservation Tax Credit is the most robust historic preservation incentive in nation.
> $5 billion in investment and 10,000 residents new to downtown St. Louis in past seven years.
> MO Quality Jobs Program attracts companies with high paying jobs.
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Key ObstaclesKey Obstacles
> St. Louis traditionally perceived as “Rust Belt” – manufacturing city. New regional branding strategy repositions region.
> Lack of state or local government resources to stimulate green economy.
> Fragmentation.
> St. Louis Climate Prosperity Project is an “emerging start-up” civic initiative.
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Financing and In-Kind Resources AvailableFinancing and In-Kind Resources Available
> Local foundation potential funding.
> National foundation potential funding.
> In-Kind resources from collaboration with FOCUS St. Louis, Sustainable St. Louis, Missouri Botanical Gardens, and U.S. Green Building Council – St. Louis Chapter, and from 4,000+ RCGA members.
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Broad-Based ParticipationBroad-Based Participation
> Establish RCGA as a “nest” and catalyst for participation on sustainability initiatives.
> Communicate with 4,000 RCGA member companies through RCGA publications, web sites, and e-newsletters.
> Engage the public through stakeholder partnerships and media collaborations.
> Organize public policy advocacy agenda across the region and attract large groups interested in sustainability.
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Advice and Assistance NeededAdvice and Assistance Needed
> Identification of national resources and organizations willing to impact new pilot region.
> Strategy development assistance from Climate Prosperity Project Network (Doug Henton).
> Learning from fellow Climate Prosperity Project Pilots.
> Learning from the Feb. 20 San Jose Strategy.
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