WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senators Kit Bond and Claire McCaskill today announced that the U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC) will release more than $1.7 million in federal funds to support the St. Louis-China hub initiative to enhance trade and export opportunities in the Midwest and create jobs for Missouri workers.

 

“Since too many Missourians are out of work and families are struggling to pay the bills, the success of a St. Louis-China Hub is more important now than ever,” said Bond.  “The Midwest cannot afford to sit on the sidelines and miss the economic opportunities available to businesses and workers on the East and West Coasts and I am confident that this Hub will fuel the jobs of the future for Missouri workers.”

 

“This is about jobs for the St. Louis region, and right now, that’s more important than ever,” McCaskill said.  “It’s an investment in the economic future of our state.”

           

“St. Louis County is pleased to be able to support this critical economic development initiative for the region.  Our teams at the County Economic Council and World Trade Center-Saint Louis worked diligently with the China Hub Commission members to secure this grant.  We are thankful for the support of Senators Kit Bond and Claire McCaskill,” said St. Louis County Executive Charlie A. Dooley.

 

Under the DOC’s Economic Development Administration’s (EDA) Economic Adjustment Assistance Program, the St. Louis County Economic Council will receive $1,725,000.  The Economic Adjustment Assistance Program provides funds on a competitive basis for technical planning and infrastructure assistance to U.S. communities experiencing economic challenges. Last November, Senators Bond and McCaskill sent a letter to the EDA urging the Administration to support the St. Louis County Economic Council grant application for the St. Louis-China hub initiative and provide federal funds.

 

The investment award follows an important announcement on Monday from Senators Kit Bond and Claire McCaskill, Chinese Ambassador Zhou Wenzhong, and other Missouri officials and business leaders introducing the Midwest China Hub Commission as a new organization which will help develop and establish the St. Louis-China hub initiative.  The commission will serve as a consortium to facilitate the expanding group of U.S. and Chinese businesses and governmental organizations working together.  The commission will also help Chinese companies and investors access the Midwest more easily and directly, and assist U.S. companies seeking to do business in China. 

 

In June 2008, the Chinese Vice Premier Wang Qishan visited St. Louis with a large delegation to promote economic ties between China and the Midwest. Following the visit, Senators Bond and McCaskill led a bipartisan delegation of state and local leaders to Beijing to promote St. Louis as a Midwest-China Trade Hub.  During the visit, former Missouri Governor Matt Blunt, St. Louis Mayor Francis Slay and St. Louis County Executive Charlie Dooley signed an agreement with the Civil Aviation Administration of China to promote a new trade route and passenger link between St. Louis and China. This agreement was instrumental in the formation of the Midwest China Hub Commission. On Monday, the group announced that a working group from St. Louis will head back to Beijing this spring for a second visit to explore closer economic ties.