urbanSTL

i know several St. Louisans who work in "national media" on the East Coast...I would be that's what is fueling these articles.

Whatever made it viral, that does answer the question that it's coming from St. Louis, and perhaps that's the reason the Cubs-Cards rivalry makes the article. Wish the answer was something else. I'd love someone to tell me that the personal whims of the board are just as likely to influence the decision as the actual business factors.

Maybe that is still the case, though.

http://stlouis.cbslocal.com/2013/09/30/ ... -st-louis/

National Agriculture Groups Urge ADM to Move to St. Louis
Michael Calhoun (@michaelcalhoun, mrcalhoun@cbs.com)
September 30, 2013 8:36 AM

"ST. LOUIS (KMOX) - Corn and soybeans are among the biggest businesses for Archer Daniels Midland Co. and the organizations that represent farmers of both are urging ADM to move its headquarters to St. Louis."

good:

"“We also are really at the center of the innovation that’s going on here in biotechnology and biology,” he said. “St. Louis really is the center of the Bio-Belt.” "


but possibly biased: "Both associations are based in the St. Louis area. "

jstriebel wrote:Whatever made it viral, that does answer the question that it's coming from St. Louis, and perhaps that's the reason the Cubs-Cards rivalry makes the article. Wish the answer was something else. I'd love someone to tell me that the personal whims of the board are just as likely to influence the decision as the actual business factors.

Maybe that is still the case, though.

Two different things. The story was written by an AP writer who happens to be based in St. Louis.

Neither he nor St. Louisans "on the East Coast" made the story go viral as suggested. The story went viral because news media felt it was newsworthy to publish.

AP writers write stories about St. Louis often, but only a low percentage go viral.

And what's the big deal anyway? The story has to start somewhere.

$20MM seems like a reasonable starting point to contest this. I wonder just how much IL can put together, noting as the AP article did state that the State of IL is around $100B (with a B) in the red. We must consider that, just by matching what IL does, MO doesn't necessarily have the upper hand. STL's & MO's economic development teams, I'm sure, are putting together something that they think can win over ADM for more than just dollars. And I'm sure these conversations are going on very quietly, as no one wants a high-profile bidding contest that'll provoke animosity.

The Cardinals-Cubs rivalry thing does play in here, and I think it's not only funny but great. When we complain about all the companies moving into West County because that's where the corporate execs live, we should also celebrate that our City's sports culture could help pull out a victory for our economy.

Indeed, the promotion & continuation of the corporate culture within ADM is a significant concern of the company's executive leadership when considering a relocation. Yes, they want a City where they can transition their employees to a location where both spouses can be gainfully employed, and which has a more global feel than Central IL. But, would moving to Downtown Chicago accomplish this while maintaining the feel that the rest of the company has within Decatur? Or would locating in Downtown Chicago be a heavy culture shock? Would they want to build up in the outer Chicago suburbs? Would moving to STL be a smoother transition for the corporate culture's continuation? Lots for them to consider here...

Personally, I really like sirshankalot's proposal, to encourage ADM to consider the Metro East, keeping the company in IL while making them a part of the STL Metro Area. That would really be a victory for everyone involved (other than the City of Chicago). My only concerns are that this may not be that feasible, as I don't have much faith in the Powers-That-Be in the Metro East to pull off something as substantial as a corporate relocation of this size. Maybe the RCGA/STL Regional Chamber could pursue this as a side strategy...

Last night, I was looking at the AT&T Tower sticking up from the neighborhood, and I started thinking about what it would look like with Archer Daniels Midland printed across the top of it. Who knows, it's theoretically possible. While I still believe Chicago has the upper hand for its business climate (and for the wacky political machine that is IL to subsidize this), I do believe STL is very much in the running.

This whole thing seems like kind of a waste of time for STL.

^I hear ya. But if anything it'll help the RCGA and local dignitaries get organized and come up with a framework for making structured incentive offers to companies that are shopping for a new HQ. Whatever they come up with for ADM will help them have a starting point going forward for how to make viable offers to lure migratory managements and boards of directors.

^ I agree. It can test/gain experience for the supposed greater cooperation between city and county on econ. devo. Might as well spin the wheels.

KMOX reports both Monsanto and the Danforth Plant Science Center are reaching out to ADM and encouraging the firm to move to St. Louis.


Link: http://goo.gl/ohyDJC

Yeah, whoever wrote that didn't proof read.

“If the ADM leadership wants to take some top clients to see baseball in October, they should probably live here and not in St. Louis,” he added.

This is really only 100 jobs. It's just a "small, corporate team." Asking Illinois for $20MM in tax breaks for 100 jobs is kind of absurd. That's $200,000 per job. How many years will it take to make that back via personal income tax?

Anyhow, 100 jobs isn't nearly enough to fill up the AT&T building. I'm thinking if they do move here, it might be a new place in BPV. Of course, they could be like an anchor tenant in the AT&T building and have other corps. fill it out. How many workers does the AT&T building support? It's huge...I could see it fitting a couple thousand. If they moved there, they'd really only be leasing 5% of the space or less. It's more likely they go to Met Square.

Or Centene phase II

Yeah, Illinois' leadership (and now Tribune's Phil Rosenthal) have the right idea regarding ADM's request for tax incentives.

Chicago doesn't need to offer them and the state of Illinois probably shouldn't reaffirm the precedent by doing so. Illinois will still be home to most of ADM's employees and, presumably, the vast majority of ADM's taxable revenue.

That then begs the question, why should St. Louis offer them? If there was a promise that the roughly 5,000 Decatur jobs would eventually move to Missouri, then yeah -- you pony up the dough. In that case though, Illinois sure as hell does so too. And if Missouri does clear the way for tax credits, who's to say ADM doesn't do what so many others have done and set up shop in Clayton or Westport?

All in all, I'd surprised if the decision was made based on one state giving up more than the other. But it's a dangerous precedent to set without some assured outcomes vis-a-vis long-term commitments and employment transfers. And frankly, St. Louis and Missouri haven't shown a particular aptitude for demanding specific returns from the tax breaks they offer -- just look at "negotiations" locally with McKee, the Cardinals, the Rams, etc.

I think we should do what it takes to get ADM to move their Global HQ to STL. Even though it might not make good dollar and sense it would be great for our image and we will build on the success to increase our corporate agriculture and corporate density. Increased employees, increased flights from private airports or Lambert is increased tax dollars. I say $1 million a year in tax breaks it worth it to get a great company to move. It is rare that we have this opportunity to get an international brand.