ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT | ADOPTED 06.16.14 Ction Imagine Belleville Se 5

SECTION 5, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT | ADOPTED 06.16.14 ction Imagine belleville Se 5 ADOPTED JUNE 16, 2014 Our Residents A diversified and educated population with an entrepreneurial spirit is the key to meeting the challenges of an unpredictable future. - OneSTL SECTION 5 Economic Development Introduction Eds/Meds Over the last 75 years, the types of employers supporting Belleville’s local economy have followed national trends, transitioning from a manufacturing- based economy to one primarily composed of “eds and meds.” In other words, five of Belleville’s top eight employers are educational (“eds”) or medical (“meds”) institutions: Memorial Hospital, Southwestern Illinois Manufacturing College, St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, School District #118, and School District #201.1 After the Great Depression, manufacturing jobs declined while education, health care, and government jobs increased at staggering rates, as seen in Figure 5.1, U.S. Job Creation by Industry.2 Between 1990 and 2008, approximately one Image Source: (see Footnote 2) half of new U.S. jobs were classified in one of these three sectors. Belleville’s two major hospitals; two higher education institutions; multiple school districts; and city, county, Figure 5.1, U.S. Job Creation by Industry and state jobs serve as economic engines to the The sharp decline of manufacturing jobs is community. These destinations - whether the new $24 juxtaposed against the steep rise in educational million Orthopedic and Neurosciences Center at and medical employment, particularly since Memorial Hospital or the $35 million State Crime Lab Bellleville’s last Comprehensive Plan in 2000. This 1 Additional statistics can be found on page 5.4. 2 “What's the Single Best Explanation for Middle-Class national trend is clearly reflected in the local job Decline?” Derek Thompson. The Atlantic. August 20, 2012. market visualized on page 5.4. 5.1 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN | ADOPTED 06.16.14 Belleville Shoe Company Founded in 1904, the Belleville Shoe Company (now referred to as the Belleville Boot Company) is the nation’s oldest and largest military boot manufacturing company. It was one of the earlier businesses to migrate to Belle Valley Industrial Park in 1986. across from Lindenwood University - Belleville (LU-B) - City. This Comprehensive Plan should, therefore, be cast a wide net to attract visitors from across the region seen as a preliminary set of ideas and policies to help and beyond. They inject millions into the local economy frame further dialogue on economic planning, but through primary and secondary jobs, modernized not as “the plan” itself. Instead, an economic strategy infrastructure systems, and regional visibility. Yet, growth plan is warranted to spell out the specifics of the City’s in these sectors, alone, is not considered a sustainable, approach to its economic development. long-term economic development strategy. This section of the plan is based on the overlap of One of Belleville’s primary tools for diversification is industry and innovation, human talent, and quality to grow businesses and entrepreneurs from within of place. That is, at the broadest scale, the assets of the community. Mainstays such as the Belleville Shoe the City are its university and medical infrastructure, Company (now the Belleville Boot Company), reflect the access to multi-modal transportation links, a beautiful community’s German heritage and military connections natural setting, and the historic character of the built to Scott Air Force Base (AFB). Over the past 10 years, environment, among others. The City can help develop the company has opened two satellite operations its economy by supporting a physical and regulatory in Arkansas and also had to downsize its Belleville environment in which the people who are attracted to workforce from 650 employees in 2005 to 175 employees the City can create and grow new businesses. In some in 2013. As companies must adapt to challenging cases, the City or other entities should stimulate private economic conditions, it is important for Belleville to enterprise through marketing, programs, incentives, foremost retain existing ones. It is estimated that 75 regulation, and investment. percent of job growth occurs through the expansion of existing businesses – not through the recruitment of In today’s competitive marketplace, businesses are major employers. With the growing day- and night-time seeking communities that offer an enhanced quality of student populations at Southwestern Illinois College life, including: (SWIC) and LU-B, Belleville has a qualified pool of recent Well-paid jobs; graduates and young professionals eager to transition to the job market. Educational opportunities for all, including lifelong learning; Approach Medical facilities; The purpose of this economic development chapter Quality and affordable housing; is to coalesce the leading actors, influences, and Public amenities, including public school systems; strategic initiatives that sustain and stimulate economic Safe neighborhoods; growth. Economic development is an overarching municipal function that involves complex partnerships Recreation, entertainment, and shopping; among multiple organizations, institutions, and Low cost of living / low taxation; and businesses. These public and private entities are bound together by a common set of goals requiring a level Attractive built and natural environments. of engagement beyond the traditional scope of the 5.2 SECTION 5, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT | ADOPTED 06.16.14 ction Se 5 These amenities are essential to retaining and recruiting the next generation of residents. The community must meet the needs of prospective employees - and their families - by offering high-quality places to live, learn, work, and play. “Art in the Square” is a model example that improves the overall quality of life for local residents, while at the same time, elevating Belleville’s profile as a regional and national destination. It demonstrates the public and private sectors’ commitment to investing in the local community. This section builds upon the core community character rooms annually. Recently the base has invested $12.3 theme – and associated action strategies – that are found million in the 375th Security Forces Squadron, $96 throughout this Comprehensive Plan. Other elements million in the U.S. TRANSCOM Addition, $7.2 million of this plan also tackle land use and sub-area planning, in a Child Development Center, and $11 million in the growth management, public investment, and quality of 932nd Squadron Operations Building. City leaders life as vehicles to attract economic opportunity. actively participate on the Belle-Scott Committee, a group committed to supporting personnel and their One of the most significant linkages and community families and fostering partnerships throughout the concerns is the implication of housing. The quality region.4 and attractiveness of Belleville’s neighborhoods are key factors in recruiting prospective residents and MidAmerica St. Louis Airport is a joint use, public airport employers. The presence of an adequate, available co-located on Scott AFB. In 2010, the airport serviced housing stock is imperative to meet the needs of low, approximate two-thirds military operations and one- middle, and upper income households that fulfill a third general aviation. In 2012, Allegiant Air resumed diversity of job types. Beyond livability and economic twice weekly flights to Orlando/Sanford International development concerns, local government also has Airport. The majority of general aviation traffic is an interest in the sustainability of new residential dedicated to cargo operations, which are seen as a construction and the condition of the existing housing major economic development opportunity for growing stock since market and assessed values directly impact the region’s transportation and distribution sectors. the tax base. Under the umbrella of the City’s housing ST. CLAIR COUNTY and economic development functions, areas that are in need of revitalization and redevelopment should Belleville serves as the county seat for St. Clair County. be the target of assistance efforts to preserve existing Major County facilities located in Belleville include the neighborhoods and prevent widespread decline. County Court House serving as the administrative and county courts center, County Jail and Juvenile Detention Economic Context3 Center, County Highway Department, Emergency Services and Disaster Agency, 9-1-1 Dispatching Center, Government Public Health Department, Intergovernmental Grants Department, and County Housing Authority. The St. SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE / Clair County Public Health Building Commission is the MIDAMERICA ST. LOUIS AIRPORT owner/operator of all County government facilities First developed in 1917, Scott AFB is the St. Louis including the MidAmerica St. Louis Airport. Area’s fourth largest employer. Located on 3,589 acres STATE/FEDERAL of land six miles east of Belleville, the base employs 13,000 workers (plus approximately 6,451 indirect State offices located within the Belleville area include jobs) and has a total population of 41,204 military and the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, civilian personnel, family members, and retirees. The Department of Employment Security, Department base contributes $2.3 billion annually to the regional of Public Aid, State Crime Lab, and offices of two economy, and visitors occupy more than 105,000 hotel Illinois State Representatives. Federal offices include 3 The Economic

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