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<br />b. FY 16 2 Quarter Reports (informational)
<br />Ms. Lloyd stated that the Board packets included a second quarter report from FY 16 recipients. Ms. Lloyd
<br />stated that reports covered the period of September through December 2015. Each recipient completed the
<br />report. Projects and programs are on-time and on budget.
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<br />c. FY 17 – Economic Development Retail Sales Tax Fund – Applications and Applicant Presentations (10
<br />minutes per applicant) (Review and discussion)
<br />Mr. Winer stated that this year there are more applicants than in previous years. He stated that each
<br />applicant had 10 minutes for a presentation and Board members were welcome to ask questions after the
<br />presentation. Ms. Lloyd provided a brief overview of the EDRST funds including the use of funds based on
<br />the criteria developed by the EDRST Board and the state statute. Ms. Lloyd informed the Board that there is
<br />$550,000 available for FY 17 programs and projects. Mr. Winer then invited each applicant to present to the
<br />Board.
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<br />i. University City Chamber of Commerce – Gail Snider, Executive Director of the University City Chamber
<br />of Commerce provided an overview of projects being requested for funds in FY 17. Ms. Snider provided
<br />a brief overview of the mission and goals of the Chamber and stated that the Chamber represents all of
<br />University City businesses and the Chamber works closely with the City on Economic Development
<br />initiatives. The Chamber is requesting a total of $95,500, the same amount requested last year. The
<br />funds requested will be used for marketing and advertising ($50,000), maintaining the olive link website
<br />($8,000), a Lunar New Year celebration ($15,000), a business district block party ($5,500), the annual
<br />Taste of U City ($7,000), and training and small business workshops ($10,000).
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<br />ii. Create Space Generator, Inc. – Julia Li and Autumn Wiggins of Create Space presented the $150,000
<br />request for SPACE- EntrepreneurSHIP. Ms. Li began the presentation by detailing the concept of Create
<br />Space, to support makers and artist and develop a true retail incubator in University City, the center of
<br />creativity. Funds will be used to support three programs: Create Space, an artist retail storefront in the
<br />Delmar Loop, Kitchen Space, a 24-hour culinary kitchen that can support food truck operators, bakers,
<br />and caterers and provide educational and cooking class, and Makers Space, a workshop and co-
<br />working space for makers and artists. The Create Space Generator, a registered non-profit will use
<br />funds to support the three programs.
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<br />iii. Loop Special Business District – Joe Edwards, President of the Loop Special Business District (LSBD)
<br />provided an overview of project and fund requests for FY 17. Mr. Edwards stated that the LSBD is
<br />requesting funds for marketing ($30,000), additional Loop events ($90,000) and the Loop Ice Carnival
<br />($30,000) which attracts about 10,000 visitors to the Loop each year. In addition, some one-time
<br />projects are being requested including a one of a kind “Welcome to the Loop” illuminated sign ($55,000)
<br />and tree grates ($80,000). The LSBD is also requesting funds to print Delmar Loop brochures and
<br />update the directories ($14,000) when new businesses come into the Loop. The last request is to
<br />continue to promote the Loop through an ad placement ($10,500) in the official St. Louis Visitor’s Guide
<br />that is distributed to every hotel room in St. Louis.
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<br />iv. U City In Bloom – Jesse Gilbertson, Director of Horticulture for U City In Bloom (UCIB) provided an
<br />overview of projects and funds request for FY 17. Mr. Gilbertson stated that UCIB is requesting funds for
<br />six projects; five on Olive Blvd and one on Delmar Blvd. UCIB maintains the planters along Delmar
<br />($8008) and would like to continue to provide that service with use of EDRST funds. In addition, the five
<br />Olive Blvd projects including maintaining nine gardens ($14,218), maintaining the newer trees with water
<br />($8109) and groundcover (7,808), continuing the Olive hanging basket program ($20,140), and
<br />maintaining the new Olive Blvd planters ($9,997). UCIB also received a $10,000 grant to add additional
<br />planters to bus stops along Olive Blvd.
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