^Let's hope they are. It would be nice to see St. Louis be very aggressive in trying to pursue ADM even if that means an unnecessary amount of incentives. In the least we would now STL leaders are very serious about business development.
- 2,928
STL is on the short list. Fair to assume that the powers-that-be have been working on this for a long time putting the pitch together, and that ADM isn't just announcing this as a big surprise to the world. This has probably been going on for a considerable amount of time; we're just learning of it now.
Arch City: That Monsanto, Bunge, Solae, and the other Ag companies are based in STL is very much a competitive advantage for us as opposed to a disadvantage. It shows a cluster of businesses in the Ag industry, with multiple sub-sectors present. We have a core group of veteran industry employees already in the area (note how in other threads, we're harping on how IT won't come here because we don't have IT pros already here in large numbers). We have companies large and small working on Ag here, with one of the largest concentrations of Biotech Plant Scientists out there. Innovation as well as long-term proven Ag processes are operated here.
KMOX also reports that regional costs and quality-of-life considerations (non-Ag jobs exist for spouses, etc.) are some of the biggest factors, not just flights between ADM's new HQ and Sidney or Beijing. And of course, should the market demand it, we can expect to see a stronger push for flights.
Let's be patient here, and hope.
Arch City: That Monsanto, Bunge, Solae, and the other Ag companies are based in STL is very much a competitive advantage for us as opposed to a disadvantage. It shows a cluster of businesses in the Ag industry, with multiple sub-sectors present. We have a core group of veteran industry employees already in the area (note how in other threads, we're harping on how IT won't come here because we don't have IT pros already here in large numbers). We have companies large and small working on Ag here, with one of the largest concentrations of Biotech Plant Scientists out there. Innovation as well as long-term proven Ag processes are operated here.
KMOX also reports that regional costs and quality-of-life considerations (non-Ag jobs exist for spouses, etc.) are some of the biggest factors, not just flights between ADM's new HQ and Sidney or Beijing. And of course, should the market demand it, we can expect to see a stronger push for flights.
Let's be patient here, and hope.
Awesome list!STLEnginerd wrote:Arguments for St. Louis
- 2hours 15 mins from Decatur by car from St. Louis, 3 hours by car from Chicago so the time you save in a direct flight is lost in a drive to Decatur. Maybe exectutives don't drive to Decatur but alot of people would have to.
- One of the countries strongest nodes of biotech and agricultural companies. On another thread it was said that companies will pay what they must to locate where the talent is (refering to Silicon Valey) Well St. Louis is where the talent is for these fields.
- Low cost of living means less expensive office spaces and lower pay for workers so its cheaper to operate here.
- Two more Senators. When you are lobying congress for things that matter to your company it nice to have senators pulling for you. Since they operate in Decatur they already have IL on their side. Locating in St. Louis puts the senators from Missouri safely in their corner.
-Less traffic.
-Opportunities for rural, suburban and city living within an easy driving distance.
If they aren't SERIOUSLY considering St. Louis they should be and if the Economic Development Council isn't working on a serious package of incentives to propose then they should all be dumped and new people placed in their positions. St. Louis has a lot to offer.
Mayor Slay and Executive Dooley should be working this hard as well.
I want to say that I don't think Dooley and Slay will be the hindrance to this. The City and County will handle their business. What Missouri is willing to contribute is another story.
I think problem will be Missouri.
I agree 100%. Did you miss something? However, the Wall Street Journal seems to suggest that Minneapolis and St. Louis could be out of it because one is home to Cargill, while the other is home to Monsanto. That's why I posted the link.gone corporate wrote:Arch City: That Monsanto, Bunge, Solae, and the other Ag companies are based in STL is very much a competitive advantage for us as opposed to a disadvantage. It shows a cluster of businesses in the Ag industry, with multiple sub-sectors present. We have a core group of veteran industry employees already in the area (note how in other threads, we're harping on how IT won't come here because we don't have IT pros already here in large numbers). We have companies large and small working on Ag here, with one of the largest concentrations of Biotech Plant Scientists out there. Innovation as well as long-term proven Ag processes are operated here. Let's be patient here, and hope.
As written in my replies, I said that ADM's best bet is St. Louis. In plant science research, with all due respect to them, neither Chicago nor Minneapolis are in STL's league in ag companies and plant science research.
- 1,054
My Prediction: ADM moves to St Louis. I don't see any benefits to staying in Illinois.
The State of Missouri/ St Louis should buy them a G5 Jet or a 737 in exchange for them relocating their HQs here. Take them wherever they need to go Shanghai, Sydney, whatever. Just part of the incentive package. In the long term, this expense would be nominal to attracting a Fortune 500.
Sad news for Decatur. Hopefully St. Louis can turn on the charm, but I really do think the lack of a vibrant core like Chicago along with the airline hub hurts. I would figure a company like Clayco would be trotted out to talk about its recent HQ choice. I wonder how strong existing demand is for new international service from Chicago to Sydney or Melbourne. Maybe ADM changes the calculus enough to start the service.
Short-term Missouri loses if it gives away the bank. Long-term it wins.pat wrote:^Let's hope they are. It would be nice to see St. Louis be very aggressive in trying to pursue ADM even if that means an unnecessary amount of incentives. In the least we would now STL leaders are very serious about business development.
Think of the prestige that having another large AG international firm such as ADM would have on St. Louis and Missouri. St. Louis would solidfy itself as a world - if not the world's - agricultural center.
Also, ADM would become another local corporate partner.
I get a kick about the spouses wanting more opportunities as per the PD article on ADM. Almost like they are bored and want to hang out with Bob Clark after he pulled up Clayco's executive staff and moved to Chicago.
This is also where BPV not having a strong vision for new Class A office space within a rebirth of downtown hurts St. Louis in my opinion. Yes, St. Louis doesn't have the hub status but we can offer a first class executive space next to a winning tradition second only to the Yankees with a view of the Iconic Arch. Plus, wouldn't rather go private charter with Jet Lynx anyways!!
This is also where BPV not having a strong vision for new Class A office space within a rebirth of downtown hurts St. Louis in my opinion. Yes, St. Louis doesn't have the hub status but we can offer a first class executive space next to a winning tradition second only to the Yankees with a view of the Iconic Arch. Plus, wouldn't rather go private charter with Jet Lynx anyways!!
- 1,054
I really see St Louis getting this. Chicago: City in free fall, mass shootings on every corner. Minneapolis: A city with taxes so high you can see Russia from your house, and more than half of all Al Shabaab terrorists originate from the cities. Not to forget, the cities are incredibly isolated. St Louis: AG Global Center, solid economy, and a city on the rebound.
Chalupas54 wrote:I really see St Louis getting this. Chicago: City in free fall, mass shootings on every corner. Minneapolis: A city with taxes so high you can see Russia from your house, and more than half of all Al Shabaab terrorists originate from the cities. Not to forget, the cities are incredibly isolated. St Louis: AG Global Center, solid economy, and a city on the rebound.
I hope you are joking. Both Chicago and the Twin Cities are attractive locations for a business with a wealth of benefits. They are stiff competition. St. Louis should be proud if it beats out such stiff competition.
- 8,155
^ if ADM truly wants a global HQ it is going to go to Chicago. NYC, and perhaps Toronto, are more cosmopolitan but I can't think of any others in North America. We'll only get ADM if we're able to put up something on the table that is just too good to pass up.
- 641
Please put emotion and STL loyalty aside...big business doesn't deal in emotion....they are going to chicago
While Decatur is about to lose, Beta (St. Louis, Minneapolis) and Gamma (ex. Cincinnati, Kansas City) cities seem to have only slighter advantages than Decatur when it comes to "global" scale demands and expectations by some firms.
Although St. Louis has some advantages over Chicago, I wonder how non-Alpha U.S. cities will ever compete if more and more companies keep placing these types of all-encompassing "global" demands on them?
Minneapolis has lost many firms to Chicago and St. Louis recently lost Clayco to Chicago.
There's a lot of "global" curve to be made up in terms of international flight destinations and of course larger Alpha cities offer more opportunities simply because they are larger.
On another note, it's too bad that the Metro East is not stronger economically. The Metro East needs to get it's act together too.
Although I think it is unlikely, ADM could potentially move to the St. Louis region and remain in Illinois, but only if the Metro East was stronger.
Although St. Louis has some advantages over Chicago, I wonder how non-Alpha U.S. cities will ever compete if more and more companies keep placing these types of all-encompassing "global" demands on them?
Minneapolis has lost many firms to Chicago and St. Louis recently lost Clayco to Chicago.
There's a lot of "global" curve to be made up in terms of international flight destinations and of course larger Alpha cities offer more opportunities simply because they are larger.
On another note, it's too bad that the Metro East is not stronger economically. The Metro East needs to get it's act together too.
Although I think it is unlikely, ADM could potentially move to the St. Louis region and remain in Illinois, but only if the Metro East was stronger.
- 641
we need the business community to step up and support a direct flight to London.
I think St. Louis has a chance even if it may appear to be a long-shot. Otherwise, it wouldn't be considered at all.sirshankalot wrote:Please put emotion and STL loyalty aside...big business doesn't deal in emotion....they are going to chicago
You are entitled to your opinion, but people have their right to speculate, to form an opinion, and to compare and contrast until the final decision is rendered. I hope you are wrong.
And if you turn out to be right in your assertions, then so be it. Let the process work.
- 10K
I read this yesterday and thought it was odd, considering that it goes against everything we've heard over the years about companies "clustering" in various cities - eg. Silicon Valley, Wall Street, etc. I would think having Monsanto based here lends STL a tremendous amount of credibility.From the Beacon article this morning on the growth of Plant Sciences in Saint Louis, Monsanto may be a hindrance:
"The fact that St. Louis is the home base for Monsanto, said Roger Beachy, former president of the Danforth Plant Science Center and a professor at Washington University, serves as a disincentive for other big agribusiness companies to have branches here. But on the other hand, Beachy noted that none of those companies has decided to make Research Triangle Park their world headquarters. "
That said, I think the chances of ADM moving its HQ here are nil.
Yupsirshankalot wrote:Please put emotion and STL loyalty aside...big business doesn't deal in emotion....they are going to chicago
I agree, but for some reason there seems to be either apprehension, a lack of knowledge, a lack of competitive edge or all of the above to get it done.sirshankalot wrote:we need the business community to step up and support a direct flight to London.
Maybe it is time Lambert CEO Rhonda Hamm-Niebruegge to convene a meeting with local corporations and firms in the St. Louis area to gauge their willingness.
I believe you too are looking for the negativity thread. Please post your comments there.sirshankalot wrote:
Please put emotion and STL loyalty aside...big business doesn't deal in emotion....they are going to chicago
Yup
I think most of the arguments being laid out have been pretty rational. And BS that big business doesn't deal in emotion. ADM execs deciding on where to move their families is definitely an emotional decision. One that I think St. Louis has a play in considering the "family" environment in St. Louis, commute times, etc.
Another thought: Based on your premise, it would seems to make more sense financially for a business to relocate to STL over Chicago if you look at the differences in costs, IL vs MO, talent pool. Seems to me that would be the more unemotional decision.
- 641
^Not trying to be negative. And I appreciate your comments. The one area I see STL being able to win over ADM is to constantly appeal to the talent pool located here in the AG community. As for cost-of-living, there are nice areas in suburban Chicago that aren't expensive..i lived there for 6 years.
But re-read the Trib article...the access to China via O'hare keeps coming up.
But re-read the Trib article...the access to China via O'hare keeps coming up.
^Right. Its a long shot. There's also the fact that they've been in contact with Chicago leadership already, and its their first choice.
- 10K
Do any of their top execs hail from Chicago? That was certainly the deciding factor when Charter made a similar move from STL.
- 8,155
That might make sense for some companies depending upon needs and I feel that we could be more competitive if this was for a larger ADM relocation.... we could dangle awesome incentives for Class A space such as at a rebranded AT&T tower. But it looks like Chicago is just better situated to serve as a global headquarters. This will be a rather small operation for top brass that'll be able to afford premium living and business costs, plus I'm sure the company will be getting some subsidies for the move if they feel it necessary. Chicago remains a truly global center and looking at ADM's comment about opportunities for spouses, Chicago also makes more sense as the status of these people will mean that they can be big fish in a big pond whether they are searching for job or board/philanthropic opportunities.pat wrote: Another thought: Based on your premise, it would seems to make more sense financially for a business to relocate to STL over Chicago if you look at the differences in costs, IL vs MO, talent pool. Seems to me that would be the more unemotional decision.
I always find it interesting how some will say that the key to job attraction is low (or no) taxes a-la Rick Perry (and Texas is growing) but we who are blessed with low taxes and low COL and low rent - (Premium class A space in Chicago is over 40 per SF StL is around 30) yet the flight connections seem to trump all - even the prospect of potentially saving hundreds of thousands if not millions in rent and salary every year.roger wyoming II wrote:That might make sense for some companies depending upon needs and I feel that we could be more competitive if this was for a larger ADM relocation.... we could dangle awesome incentives for Class A space such as at a rebranded AT&T tower. But it looks like Chicago is just better situated to serve as a global headquarters. This will be a rather small operation for top brass that'll be able to afford premium living and business costs, plus I'm sure the company will be getting some subsidies for the move if they feel it necessary. Chicago remains a truly global center and looking at ADM's comment about opportunities for spouses, Chicago also makes more sense as the status of these people will mean that they can be big fish in a big pond whether they are searching for job or board/philanthropic opportunities.pat wrote: Another thought: Based on your premise, it would seems to make more sense financially for a business to relocate to STL over Chicago if you look at the differences in costs, IL vs MO, talent pool. Seems to me that would be the more unemotional decision.