This Week: Spotlight on Industry Innovation, James Beard Awards Semifinals Recognize STL Culinary Creators and More
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Industry Innovation
A critical focus of Greater St. Louis, Inc. this year will be the improvement of St. Louis’ economic climate, including support for key industry clusters. This week, we highlight news in a number of those key industries that is advancing, innovating, and helping to move the region forward.
MO Tech Hub to Receive Millions in Federal Funding
A federally designated Missouri tech hub adjacent to the St. Louis metro — The Critical Minerals and Materials for Advanced Energy Tech Hub consortium — will receive an estimated $29 million in federal funding. The hub aims to bridge the gap between critical minerals producers and advanced energy technology manufacturers.
St. Louis-based Evertrak, an innovative company that manufactures railway ties from recycled plastic, has received an investment from Sumitomo Corp. of Americas that will help the local manufacturer expand production and scale operations.
Pivot Bio Inc., a California-based agtech firm with a big presence in St. Louis, will expand its retail distribution through a partnership with Logan Agri-Service Inc. The partnership expands the company’s reach across the country.
A local manufacturer of auto-injector pens, Maryland Heights-based Meridian Medical Technologies LLC, has won a $129 million federal contract to produce the DuoDote autoinjector for the Strategic National Stockpile, managed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response.
Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Center St. Louis and Ranken Technical College have issued a general contracting services request for proposal. The deadline for proposal submission is 5 p.m. on Jan. 31, 2025.Access the RFP.
C2N Diagnostics Gets $1.5M+ Grant from Michael J. Fox Foundation
A St. Louis biotech firm is turning heads. C2N Diagnostics is partnering with the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, receiving a more than $1.5 million grant to study connections among neurodegenerative conditions, including Alzheimer’s disease. Recently, the St. Louis Board of Aldermen passed legislation supporting Washington University’s $95 million redevelopment of the former Goodwill Building in the Cortex Innovation District, which will help C2N not only stay in St. Louis where it was founded, but expand, adding 170 jobs.
Airport’s Hamm-Niebruegge: More Flights and Future Plans
Adding direct international flights is a numbers game, said Rhonda Hamm-Niebruegge, Director of St. Louis Lambert International Airport, a GSL Chair’s Council Investor, in a recent KMOX interview. But thanks to the collaboration and support of GSL and other community partners, the future of the airport is bright and its transformation imminent. Securing state and federal funding for the airport terminal project, as well as securing additional nonstop international flights, continue to be a key focus for GSL this year.
James Beard Awards Semifinals Recognize 7 St. Louis Culinary Creators
In 2022, Food & Wine named St. Louis the Next Great Food City, writing that “the rest of the country has begun recognizing St. Louis as an essential Midwest culinary destination.” That recognition continues this year, with seven local names among the James Beard Awards 2025 Restaurant and Chef Award semifinalists. From Best Chef: Midwest to baking and beverage service, St. Louis culinary creators are receiving their due.
