Is Chesterfield's Success Hurting Downtown St. Louis?

RGA, Monsanto, Mercy Health Systems - all major companies in the St. Louis metro region and all have decided recently to expand their business and, in the process, create thousands of new, high-paying jobs in Chesterfield. 

It's great news for the city and is sure to be a boon to economic growth while further raising the profile of the area as a great place for companies to locate. 

But it also reflects a long-running tension in the St. Louis area (with its 93 cities), because the competition for those coveted, multi-million dollar investments isn't necessarily a distant municipality or a neighboring state, but Chesterfield's nearby neighbors. 

In particular, a recent St. Louis Post-Dispatch article noted a downtown revival for St. Louis is missing one thing: jobs. The article pointed to how several recent announcements of sizable expansions from local companies (such as RGA and Monsanto) are all taking place in St. Louis County. 

However, for those working in economic development agencies throughout the area, the emphasis is on cooperation, not competition. 

"The buzzword in economic development is regionalism," she said. "What's good for one is good for all and we are all in this together."

She pointed to the recent merger of the St. Louis City and County economic development agencies. Tucker also said she does not believe Chesterfield's success in the job market is not detrimental the area as a whole. 

"The workers for Mercy, RGA, Monsanto and others live all over the area," she said. "The salaries/wages earned are then spent in their own communities and others throughout the region…not just in Chesterfield."

When RGA broke ground on the new headquarters last month, CEO Grieg Woodring noted that the company's decision was, in part, driven by its proximity to where its employees live. 

Their current headquarters is also in Chesterfield and Woodring said over the years the people they have recruited have settled down in the area. 

He also noted other factors, such as the locations easy access to transportation infrastructure (Highway 40/I-64) and the quality-of-life level provided by the area (i.e. access to top-tier public schools). 

However, Tucker said those aspects are sometimes outweighed by a more personal decision. 

"When I speak with business owners, the majority of the time I find they locate here because an executive-level decision maker lives in or around Chesterfield, so the move or grow their businesses here," she said. 

So, what do you think? Should Chesterfield be concerned about how its success impacts the fates of those around it or does a rising tide lift all boats?