ST. LOUIS (May 4, 2020) – Ameren Missouri announced today that Dollar General Corporation is the latest business to utilize the company's economic development incentive rate that is designed to drive businesses to expand or locate in the company's service territory.
The incentive program is just one of the benefits included in Ameren Missouri's Smart Energy Plan, which is adding increased investments in the state.
Dollar General Corporation recently committed to signing a long-term lease of an existing 232,556-square-foot building in Berkeley, investing $9 million in personal property and creating 55 new jobs to support the operation. According to the company, the economic development incentive rate included in Ameren Missouri's five-year Smart Energy Plan was a key factor in helping Dollar General select the Berkeley location.
"Ameren Missouri continues to be an active partner with the state of Missouri to create economic development opportunities through its Smart Energy Plan," said Rob Dixon, Director at the Missouri Department of Economic Development. "As we engage with companies throughout the United States, energy costs and the low cost of doing business in our state is an important topic, which often leads to exciting announcements such as this $9 million expansion in North St. Louis County."
Operations at the Dollar General distribution facility are already underway, and the company plans to be fully operational within the next few months.
"Even in these unprecedented times, companies such as Dollar General see the benefits of growing their business in Missouri," said Marty Lyons, chairman and president of Ameren Missouri. "New and expanding businesses can get one of the most favorable economic development rate incentives in the country, keeping energy costs low for the business and all of our customers. It's part of Ameren Missouri's Smart Energy Plan, and a competitive advantage for our state."
Ameren Missouri's Smart Energy Plan was developed in 2018, when bipartisan energy legislation passed in Missouri. In addition to the popular economic development rate incentive program, the plan features more than $7 billion in infrastructure upgrades in communities throughout the state and rate cuts and caps for customers.
To learn more about the economic development incentive rate and other ways Ameren Missouri is helping attract and grow business in the state, visit AmerenMissouri.com/economicdevelopment.
Ameren Missouri has been providing electric and gas service for more than 100 years, and the company's electric rates are among the lowest in the nation. Ameren Missouri's mission is to power the quality of life for its 1.2 million electric and 132,000 natural gas customers in central and eastern Missouri. The company's service area covers 64 counties and more than 500 communities, including the greater St. Louis area. For more information, visit Ameren.com/Missouri or follow us on Twitter at @AmerenMissouri or Facebook.com/AmerenMissouri.