The U.S. Department of Commerce has authorized another 820 acres for a Foreign-Trade Zone around Lambert-St. Louis International (STL). The FTZ was previously 11 acres.
The expanded FTZ zone includes four sites: (1) NorthPark, a 550-acre redevelopment tract located east of Lambert; (2) Hazelwood Commerce Center, a 170-acre industrial park northwest of Lambert; (3) Lindbergh Distribution Center, a 528,000 sq. foot distribution center northwest of Lambert; and (4) a 750-acre airport-owned tract adjacent to Lambert’s airfield.
The airport is part of the new Midwest China Hub Commission, which represents St. Louis’ government and business interests. Members of the group have been working with the Chinese for a year to establish the region as a multi-state commercial hub for China.
“The expansion of the Foreign-Trade Zone provides the region a real advantage as we work to develop future job growth through increased economic activity with China and other countries,” says Richard Hrabko, STL’s director. “This can also benefit local companies that locate in the Foreign-Trade Zone as they expand into foreign markets.”
