News

St. Charles Community College Brings Dreamscape Learn VR to the Midwest

St. Charles County students are quite literally stepping into the future of education. St. Charles Community College (SCC) has introduced an immersive virtual reality (VR) learning lab powered by Dreamscape Learn, a cutting-edge platform developed in collaboration with DreamWorks Animation. The new VR lab is the only one of its kind in the Midwest, giving

Sold Out MO’ Cowbell Run Gears up for Second Consecutive Record-Breaking Year

On October 5, thousands of cowbell-ringing spectators will line the streets of historic St. Charles City to cheer on participants of the 14th annual MO' Cowbell Run. Hosted by the EDC of St. Charles County, MO’ Cowbell offers four signature races—5K, 10K, Half Marathon, and Marathon—attracting everyone from casual walkers to serious

EDC Business Counseling Helps Pave the Way for New OsteoStrong Franchise

For Melissa and Mike Reimer, building strong bones is more than just a business—it’s personal. As the new owners of an OsteoStrong franchise, the husband-and-wife team is helping people across the region improve their health, prevent injury, and live stronger, more confident lives. OsteoStrong is a unique health and wellness center focused on

EDC Maintains Prestigious AEDO Accreditation

The EDC is pleased to announce it has once again earned reaccreditation as an Accredited Economic Development Organization (AEDO) by the International Economic Development Council (IEDC). Fewer than 100 organizations worldwide and just four in Missouri hold this prestigious designation. The AEDO program is a rigorous peer review process that benchmarks

How the EDC Helped Respond Right EMS Academy Grow, Rebuild, and Thrive

When Donna Weiss launched Respond Right EMS in 2001, her mission was clear: provide high-quality training to prepare the next generation of emergency medical professionals. What began as a small venture soon grew into something extraordinary. By 2008, Respond Right became the first private entity in Missouri accredited to operate a standalone EMS

Building Hope: Habitat for Humanity of St. Charles County Celebrates 100th Home and Ambitious New Project

At a time when communities across the nation are facing a growing affordable housing crisis, Habitat for Humanity of St. Charles County is helping families realize the dream of homeownership. For many hardworking families, the chance to purchase a safe, affordable home means not just stability—but opportunity. It means children growing up in

From Side Hustle to Style Staple: How the SBA 504 Program Helped a Local Brand Take Root

What does it take to build a standout brand from the ground up? For Poppy & Pine, it started with creativity, grit, and hustle. What began more than a decade ago as a home-based business has grown into a beloved retail brand known for custom graphic apparel in playful, on-trend designs. When the company needed a larger facility to keep pace with

St. Charles County Shines in U.S. News World Report

Strong schools, safe communities, and a thriving job market make St. Charles County a standout—not just in Missouri, but nationwide. U.S. News & World Report's latest Best Places to Live ranking is out, and St. Charles County was a big winner. The top three cities in Missouri are all right here, and each earned a spot on the coveted national

Brewing Up Opportunity: How Good News Brewing is Expanding (Again!) with the SBA 504 Program

What began in 2017 with a single location in O’Fallon, Missouri, has become one of the region’s standout craft brewery success stories. Good News Brewing founders Dan Tripp and Matt Fair’s simple but effective formula includes: A diverse lineup of handcrafted beer (from the citrusy Local 636 Hazy IPA to the malt-forward Dirty Laundry

Stacey Putnam Ross Promoted to Senior Vice President, Communications & Marketing

The EDC is pleased to announce the promotion of Stacey Putnam Ross to Senior Vice President, Communications & Marketing. Since 2020, Stacey has led the EDC's communications and marketing efforts, including collateral development, branding, digital strategy, executive messaging, and media relations. She also serves as Communications Director for the

Tenant Spotlight: Ninni Co.—From Faith to Function

In the heart of St. Charles County, sisters Joy Williams and Jane Molina have turned a challenging personal journey into a thriving busines—Ninni Co., which specializes in innovative pacifiers designed specifically for breastfed babies. The Ninni Co. story is one of resilience, creativity, community support, and the entrepreneurial spirit that defines

Fine Arts STEAM Grant Launches for St. Charles County Teachers

The St. Charles County Economic Development Council (EDC) is excited to announce an innovative new STEAM grant exclusively for Fine Arts educators. The Dr. Bernard J. DuBray STEAM Grant for Fine Arts Educators is open to K-12 educators at public and private schools in St. Charles County, Missouri, who teach the following