Effort continues to help Ferguson area businesses a year after shooting
From Illinois Business Journal news services
ST. LOUIS – Some $800,000 has been raised to help rebuild the business base in the North County area of St. Louis in the year since unrest began over the Michael Brown shooting, a sponsoring organization said today.
Almost one year ago, the St. Louis Regional Business Council organized the Reinvest North County Fund as an immediate business response when civil unrest began in Ferguson. To date, more than $262,000 has been given to 55 small businesses and another $238,000 has been given to provide capacity-building assistance. Some $235,000 has been given to the Normandy Schools Collaborative, Ferguson-Florissant School District, Riverview Gardens School District and Jennings School District.
“The success of the Reinvest North County Fund is a culmination of the efforts and donations of countless corporations and individuals,” said Kathy Osborn, executive director of the RBC. “The need is still great, however. We must continue the push into the second year. North County school districts and many local businesses still face difficult circumstances during the long recovery process.”
Several businesses were damaged or destroyed and others suffered a loss of business in the months following the unrest.
In partnership with North County Incorporated, the fund was created and has continued to raise funds to help numerous area small businesses and four school districts. The RBC and NCI are also partnered with the Greater Saint Louis Community Foundation, which provides administrative support for the fund.
“This fund continues to serve a vital need in the North County area and the Greater St. Louis region,” said Amelia A.J. Bond, president and CEO of the Greater Saint Louis Community Foundation. “We are pleased to be working with the Regional Business Council and North County Inc. to support the Reinvest North County Fund.”
Donations may be made payable to the St. Louis Community Foundation with a check notation for the Reinvest North County Fund or made payable directly to the Reinvest North County Fund. Donations should be mailed to the Greater Saint Louis Community Foundation, 319 N. Fourth St., Suite 300, St. Louis, MO, 63102. Visit www.stlgives.org to make an online donation.
“North County Inc., Regional Development Association applauds the hard work and generosity of the RBC and the many donors who have given Ferguson the boost needed to begin the rebuilding process,” said Rebecca Zoll, president and CEO of NCI.
The Regional Business Council is a consortium of presidents and chief executive officers of mid- to large-sized companies in St. Louis. The mission of the RBC is to unite and engage members to act on high-impact business, civic and philanthropic affairs for the betterment of the St. Louis region. www.stlrbc.org
North County Incorporated was founded in 1977 and is an advocate for North St. Louis County, connecting the community and municipal and business leaders to collaboratively work toward positive growth, economic development and marketing to sustain a great quality of life. NCI is a 501(c)6 and North County Regional Development Association is their 501(c)3. or business. www.stlgives.org
