The award recognizes businesses that make major expansions or improvements, innovative new businesses that open in the City of St. Louis, and certain major City projects.

Ronnoco was selected for building a new $2 million, 23,000-square-foot climate-controlled bottled water plant across from its Central West End operation at 4241 Sarpy.

"It is my honor to present the first Spirit of St. Louis Award of my administration to a business that meets all of these high standards – Ronnoco Coffee Company," Mayor Slay said. "Ronnoco's construction of a $2 million, 23,000 square-foot plant here in the Central West End represents an outstanding gesture of confidence in the future growth of this City. I compliment Ronnoco on making such a wise investment."

"We are honored to receive this award," said Frank Guyol, president of Ronnoco Coffee Company. "We've done business in the City of St. Louis for 98 years. Thanks to the good work of the Mayor's Office and the St. Louis Development Corporation, we are now able to continue growing our business here."

The company needed the new facility to produce its newest product line, Clearbrook Natural Spring Water. The plant houses a quality testing lab, purification equipment, and production lines for bottling Clearbrook's two specialty spring waters into three- and five-gallon containers. The waters are sold for commercial and residential use.

The project was assisted by the St. Louis Local Development Company (LDC), one of the City's development boards that provides low-interest loans to small businesses seeking to locate or expand in the City.

After presenting the award, Mayor Slay rolled out production of the company's new handled water containers.

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