Economic Development Commission

The Creve Coeur City Council established the Economic Development Commission (EDC) in 1994 with its adoption of Resolution No. 434. Resolution 434 outlines specific duties and responsibilities for the EDC, as well as a preferred economic strategy for the city, which consists of nurturing existing local businesses in order to “grow” jobs locally.

This strategy, referred to in the Resolution as “gardening,” was initiated by the City Council due to its belief that a more traditional approach of attempting to recruit new businesses was not a preferred direction for the city. Considered to be more realistic and productive approach, “gardening” is an economic development strategy in which jobs are expanded locally by creating an enriched environment for local companies and institutions that will, at the same time, complement the high quality residential character of Creve Coeur. Since its inception, the focus of the EDC has thus been to implement the duties and responsibilities assigned to it by City Council in an effort to “grow” the local economy:

1. Provide a forum for building local consensus on the economic issues facing the city.
2. Promote Creve Coeur as a center of business activity in West County.
3. Understand the needs and problem areas of employers, public institutions, and not-for-profit organizations and development strategies to address them.
4. Develop plans that will identify future business/institution plans to encourage retention and expansion.
5. Determine the feasibility of establishing an economic development staff position in city government.
6. Work with federal, state, regional and local organizations that can assist in this total effort.