By Matt Sepic, KWMU
St. Louis, MO. – St. Louis-based pharmacy benefit management company Express Scripts said Thursday it will build its new headquarters on the University of Missouri St. Louis campus.
As part of a deal with the state, the company could receive more than $12 million dollars in tax incentives if it meets certain job creation criteria.
Governor Matt Blunt says this is the first use of Missouri's new Quality Jobs Act.
Almost anytime we're trying to keep any important employer in Missouri, or create new jobs in our state, we're competing with other states, Blunt said. Express Scripts could have gone a lot of places. They chose to stay in Missouri because of the great workforce, improvements in the entrepreneurial climate, and because of a powerful economic development tool.
UMSL Chancellor Thomas George says the project's cost to the university is not known yet.
But he says the company's integration into the campus will enhance UMSL's research efforts and offer internship opportunities for students.
The facility is slated to open in March 2007.