st. louis climate prosperity project

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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