Last modified: Friday, June 8, 2007 4:08 PM CDT

NEW: Officials welcome Express Scripts to the neighborhood

By Buck Collier

Normandy's newest corporate citizen was hailed Friday afternoon for its role in the health care industry, its investment in the community and - most importantly - the 1,100 jobs it has brought to its new headquarters in North County.

U.S. Rep. Lacy Clay, Gov. Matt Blunt and St. Louis County Executive Charlie Dooley joined company officials and University of Missouri-St. Louis Chancellor Thomas George in snipping a ribbon marking the official opening of Express Scripts' new headquarters adjacent to the college campus, just inside the Normandy city limits off Interstate 70.

In speaking to the crowd assembled outside the glass, chrome and brick structure, Blunt said the effort to attract Express Scripts to the UMSL campus could "serve as a national model."

Indeed, Express Scripts is the top Fortune 500 company to place its headquarters on a college campus, Dooley said, adding that the development illustrates the growth in the St. Louis area's economy.

"This right here represents our moving forward in the economy," Dooley said.

Clay noted the jobs that were brought to the North County site, 1,100 out of a total Express Scripts workforce nationwide of about 13,000.

"Welcome to the neighborhood," Clay said, "and we’re glad to have you."

Express Scripts is a key piece to UMSL's long-range plan of developing the north end of its campus as a business park.

"I couldn't be more excited about what we have going on here," George said.

Reach Buck Collier at bcollier@yourjournal.com.