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North County Inc. Aids Healing Process In Ferguson Area
Business Fund set up
By Pat Lindsey
For the past 37 years, North County, Inc. has represented the 375,000 residents of North County in economic development. As president and CEO of that organization, Rebecca Zoll takes the duties outlined in her job description very seriously. And with the recent upheaval in Ferguson, Zoll and NCI are now taking on new responsibilities, including fundraising to help Ferguson area businesses hurt by the vandalism and closings.
Together with the Regional Business Council, North County, Inc. has established the Reinvest North County Fund. As of last week, $33,400 had been raised. The Regional Business Council contributed $10,000 of that amount and an additional $50,000 is committed to aid damaged businesses and schools near the trouble zone.
As recovery begins, North County, Inc. will also bring more workforce development and training to the area. Recruitment from the University of Missouri-St. Louis and St. Louis Community College at Florissant Valley will be key to that effort. North County, Inc. will also be involved with the University of Missouri-St. Louis and the city of Normandy in the Great Streets Natural Bridge project, which will improve transportation and infrastructure. It will run from Hanley Rd. to the junction of Florissant Rd. and Natural Bridge and will make bike and pedestrian improvements and overall beautification.
“The community, as a whole, is now very aware of the situation the St. Louis Metro area faces in regard to race relations and economic disparity. We shouldn’t have ignored it before and we absolutely must address it now,” she said. Zoll added, “This community will do just that. North County rarely hides its head after something has been brought to its attention. We can’t afford to. It is important that we truly become committed to building a better North County together.”
Prior to Aug. 9, 2014, Ferguson was rebounding. Average home prices had increased during the past year and crime in all North County municipalities was down. More than 2,300 new jobs had been created in North County between 2013 and 2014. And major corporations such as Boeing, Emerson, Express Scripts, Mallinckrodt, University of Missouri-St. Louis, World Wide Technology, and two major hospitals continue to be major stakeholders in North County. In 2013, Charter Communications opened a call center in Earth City, creating an additional 400 jobs.
Ferguson’s charming downtown, with its new, independent restaurants and popular farmers’ market, had been thriving. The restaurants have stayed open and some report increased business. (see story on this page) But Zoll’s concern is that the riotous events that drew local, national, and international attention could put North County’s economic development in a tailspin.
“This absolutely will have an immediate economic impact; it already has,” Zoll said. “I have spent many hours this past week visiting with local businesses at ground zero and they are devastated. They need their customers to come back.” Her recommendation to aid Ferguson and Dellwood businesses is for the entire community to conscientiously decide to eat in a Ferguson or Dellwood restaurant this week or patronize one of the beauty salons or shops that are scattered throughout that area. Zoll added, “Each of us can give these small businesses the support they need during this difficult time.”
“Small businesses are the backbone of North County…Now, let’s get out and show them how much we appreciate them serving our community,” Zoll said emphatically.
The Reinvest North County Fund, established through North County Regional Development Association, a 501(c)(3), has a twofold purpose. First, to provide immediate relief to small businesses that have been hurt by recent events and, secondly, provide school districts with appropriate resources to show their children how important school is, particularly in times of distress. The public is encouraged to contribute to this fund, and can visit https://givver.com/north-county-inc/ferguson. Givver is the easiest way to make a contribution. Users sign up for Givver once, and then tweet #HelpFerguson to donate
Checks can be made payable to the Reinvest North County Fund at the 501(c)3 non-profit North County Regional Development Association, 350B Village Square Drive, Hazelwood, MO 63042.
The RBC has enlisted the following inaugural donors: the Civic Pride Foundation of the St. Louis Convention and Visitors Commission, Clark-Fox Family Foundation, J.W.Terrill, Negwer Materials, Inc., SSM Health Care, St. Louis Regional Chamber, UMB Bank, the University of Missouri St. Louis and the Kwame Foundation.
August is Ferguson month for the Greater North County Chamber of Commerce. On Aug. 21, Ferguson Mayor Jim Knowles gave a brief heart-filled talk to more than 80 attendees at the monthly luncheon, held at Catering to You. He believes that Ferguson will recover from this crisis that has put the area on the global map. Chamber members cheered and applauded his speech.
