Area Development
Nike Air Manufacturing Innovation, a subsidiary of Nike Inc., will undertake a 75,000-square-foot expansion at its production center in St. Charles County’s Missouri Research Park in Weldon Spring, Missouri.

Originally founded in 1964 as Tetra Plastics, the company was purchased by Nike in 1991, and moved to its present location in 1995. The Nike Air MI facility is 222,575 square feet, has approximately 640 full-time employees, and produces Nike Air products sold around the world.

“Nike Air Manufacturing Innovation is part of the strong and growing plastics sector in St. Charles County,” says St. Charles County Executive Steve Ehlmann. “We appreciate its growing presence, global impact and commitment to our county and the region.”

Earlier this month, the St. Charles County Planning & Zoning Commission approved Nike Air MI’s concept plan for the 75,000 square foot expansion, and currently is reviewing construction plans. Plans are for a groundbreaking in late October; Construction will take about 18 months.

County officials note, Missouri Research Park is the first business park in the St. Louis region to market exclusively to technology-intensive and research-based companies. The 200-acre development, which began in 1986, has been a catalyst for expansion along the I-64 high-tech corridor in St. Charles County. The park is nearly at capacity with tenants in addition to Nike Air MI. Natoli Engineering, Inc., ABF International, Federal Aviation Administration, EMD Millipore, the National Weather Service, Zoltek Corporation and more also are located in the park.