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In the last year, the St. Louis region built a lot of momentum that has given us a great deal to celebrate.
- We were ranked as one of the country’s top five markets for job growth for the first time since 1990.
- St. Louis had the highest per capita personal income growth in the nation over the past five years.
- We are the top market in the country for our rate of growth in foreign-born population.
These are all positive data points that set the stage for our continued success. As we use the start of this new year to turn the page to the next chapter of the story we are writing together, I want to preview just some of the specific work we will be doing in 2025 to advance our mission to help grow the St. Louis region.
Improving the Economic Climate
A critical focus will be the continued improvement of St. Louis’ overall economic climate so that we are viewed as an attractive place to invest and do business. Three key areas of focus for which we will advocate in 2025 will be:
- Secure state and federal funding for the transformation of St. Louis Lambert International Airport, and securing additional nonstop international flights.
- Support for key industry clusters through additional investment in the Missouri Technology Corporation at the state level, support for Scott Air Force Base at the federal level, and legislation to strengthen our geospatial and advanced manufacturing sectors.
- Passage and implementation of policies like the office conversion tax credit and the Downtowns and Main Streets Revitalization Act to foster investment in Downtown St. Louis.
Revitalizing the Urban Core
Revitalizing our urban core is a strategic imperative for the region. In the coming year, we will continue to build upon the partnership between GSL, the City of St. Louis, and other civic stakeholders to:
- Drive investment into critical infrastructure projects, including the central spine of the Brickline Greenway as well as the Cortex-Tower Grove connector; make needed streetscape improvements to key Downtown corridors, including 7th Street, Broadway, and Washington Avenue; and continue efforts to redevelop major vacant properties like the Wainwright Building and the Millennium Hotel.
- Deepen our work to attract new street-level retail establishments through the expansion of the Downtown Retail Incentive Program and activate Downtown’s streets and open spaces with events, music, and public art.
Shaping the Region’s Narrative
To ensure that in 2025 more people see and hear the positive story we are building here, we’ll expand our communications to better shape the region’s narrative by:
- Stepping up our efforts to communicate to national audiences about our work to drive growth and create a regional brand hub to serve as a message and content resource for the media, investors, partners, and other stakeholders.
- Strengthening our outreach to businesses, local chambers of commerce, and residents in all 15 counties through a new community media outreach program.
- Evolving our STLMade Initiative to broaden its impact and effectiveness with our stakeholders and with local and national audiences.
Winning Jobs and Economic Investment
While we have seen significant job growth and investment in the St. Louis region, we know that continuing to attract new jobs and securing additional investment is the only way we will win this decade. In addition to existing efforts, in 2025, we’ll:
- Develop new tools to help attract new investment with a focus on enhanced marketing and lead-generation efforts.
- Increase the region’s presence at national and international industry events and bring site selectors to St. Louis to showcase the great locations here that are ready for development.
- Become more proactive in our efforts to show the St. Louis value proposition directly to growing businesses in other markets.
Looking Forward
On a personal note, as most of you know, our founding CEO Jason Hall announced his departure at the end of last year. While this announcement marks a significant personnel change for GSL, it also highlights the fact that GSL is about more than one person. GSL is about all of you and your commitment to this region. GSL is about the concept that we are 15 individual counties that will succeed by working together as one unified and focused region. GSL is about the idea that St. Louis is the best region in the country and deserves a business leadership organization that brings everyone to the table to drive inclusive growth.
As our Founding Chairman Andy Taylor said when GSL was formed, “we need to up our game.” That is our charge for 2025 and beyond.
Happy New Year and thank you for your work on behalf of St. Louis.
Dustin Allison, Interim CEO