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The Missouri General Assembly closed its 2024 Regular Session this afternoon, having passed several pro-growth policies and budget items advocated for by Greater St. Louis, Inc. in collaboration with legislators, investors, and community partners.
GSL helped secure big wins in the state budget, including:
- Public Transit. $11.7 million ($10 million general revenue + $1.7 million state transportation fund)
- Missouri Technology Corporation. $8.5 million
- Global Connectivity. GSL was also instrumental in securing $5 million for an international flight incentive that any airport in Missouri can use, including St. Louis Lambert International Airport
- Transformation of St. Louis Lambert International Airport. $7 million for the demolition of the Missouri Air National Guard site at St. Louis Lambert International Airport, an enabling project needed for the construction of the new, transformative single terminal project.
- UMSL College of Engineering. Partnering with the University of Missouri-St. Louis, GSL was able to help secure $25 million for the establishment of UMSL’s College of Engineering, which will build on the success of UMSL’s current 30-year Joint Engineering Program with Washington University and serve as an engineering talent pipeline that aligns with many facets of the STL 2030 Jobs Plan.
GSL was also proud to partner with a statewide coalition of supporters on legislation sponsored by Senator Steve Roberts (St. Louis) and Representative Travis Wilson (St. Charles) that streamlines the Historic Tax Credit program and provides more transparency for developers. 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.
GSL also made progress on two additional legislative priorities, the Advanced Manufacturing Recruitment Act and the Revitalizing Downtowns and Main Streets Act. We will continue to advocate for these policies next session.
- Advanced Manufacturing Recruitment Act - Inspired by the research and expertise of our business attraction team, GSL developed the Advanced Manufacturing Recruitment Act that was sponsored 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 Act - 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, GSL 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 was sponsored by Senator Roberts and Representative Travis Wilson (St. Charles).
“Our work continued to build on pro-growth policy and budget wins for the St. Louis metro and state,” said Adam Kazda, Vice President of Government Relations for GSL. “We want to thank the legislators who worked with our team and investors this year to enact efforts to make the state and metro more competitive in the global economy. Greater St. Louis, Inc. will continue to advocate for pro-growth public policy, specifically continuing our advocacy on the Advanced Manufacturing Recruitment Act and the Revitalizing Downtowns and Main Streets Act in the next legislative session.”
GSL also served as a strong voice against harmful policies that would have hindered economic growth in the St. Louis metro, including efforts that would have jeopardized state and regional economic and workforce initiatives.