Monsanto Expansion Includes Minority Goal, Pfizer Lab Space Lease Info, And Danforth Plant Science Center Update

Though St. Louis County does not require any minority participation WhoLou sources allege Monsanto has set a corporate goal of at least 20% minority business enterprise (MBE) involvement for their $400 million Chesterfield campus expansion. The 400,000 sq. ft. LEED certified expansion will feature 36 greenhouses, offices, labspace, plant growth chambers, and parking. Construction will allow space for the addition of 675 jobs and is expected to be completed in 2017.

The shortage of certified minority contractors and subcontractors in the region coupled with the demand for them created by municipal, state, or federal requirements facilitates slows movement on area projects according to sources. This is especially a concern on big jobs like CORTEX in the city. City of St. Louis goals stated in Board Bill 75 include 25% MBE and at least 5% women business enterprise (WBE) participation on jobs costing $1 million or more.