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The Policy Advisory Board of Greater St. Louis, Inc. recently approved a policy agenda that will continue to grow the metro in 2024.
With bill filing now officially open in Missouri, Greater St. Louis, Inc. is highlighting a few legislative priorities directly linked to the STL 2030 Jobs Plan:
- Recruiting advanced manufacturing megaprojects
- Revitalizing Downtowns and Main Streets
- Streamlining the Historic Tax Credit program
Expanding St. Louis’ Advanced Manufacturing Sector
Inspired by the research and expertise of our business attraction team, Greater St. Louis, Inc. developed the Advanced Manufacturing Recruitment Act that was filed by Senator Mary Elizabeth Coleman (Jefferson County) and Representative Brad Christ (St. Louis County). The legislation would establish an incentive program targeted at recruiting advanced manufacturing megaprojects — projects that invest a minimum of $1 billion and add at least 500 new jobs. This new incentive program will help Missouri compete and win more jobs and investment.
Revitalizing Downtowns and Main Streets
Activating vacant office buildings and other spaces in a post-Covid, remote work world is a critical step in reinvigorating downtowns and Main Streets. Inspired by our work over the past two years at the federal level, Greater St. Louis, Inc. developed the Revitalizing Downtowns and Main Streets Act that will incentivize the conversion of vacant office space into productive residential or other commercial space. The legislation is sponsored by Senator Steve Roberts (City of St. Louis) and Representative Travis Wilson (St. Charles).
Streamlining the Historic Tax Credit Program
Missouri’s Historic Tax Credit program drives private investment in historic redevelopment projects across the state and has been particularly impactful in revitalizing Downtown St. Louis. Since the program began, over $12 billion has been invested in historic projects — over $500 milllion in historic redevelopment annually. However, over the years the program has been plagued by bureaucratic red tape and burdensome regulations that have resulted in the loss of millions of dollars due to extended delays. The legislation, sponsored by Senator Steve Roberts (City of St. Louis) and Representative Travis Wilson (St. Charles), streamlines the program and provides more transparency for developers.
Driving pro-growth public policy is critical to the future of the metro. Bringing together leaders of the Missouri legislature with Greater St. Louis, Inc. investors to discuss the critical issues on which we are focused is one of the more important functions we play as the unified voice of St. Louis’ civic-minded business community. These are only a sampling of the policies GSL will champion in 2024.
