Inaugural Inclusive Economic Growth Summit Focuses On Ensuring "Everyone In The St. Louis Metro Has The Opportunity To Thrive", Fellow Experience Celebrates 17th Graduating Class, And More
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“EVERYONE IN THE ST. LOUIS METRO HAS THE OPPORTUNITY TO THRIVE”
More than 350 regional leaders and collaborators gathered this morning in Downtown St. Louis for the inaugural Inclusive Economic Growth Summit, hosted by Greater St. Louis, Inc. Addressing the question, “How does the St. Louis metro drive inclusive economic growth to ensure all its residents have the opportunity to thrive?” the Summit featured presentations and discussions with national experts as well as local business, civic, and academic leaders.
“As we steward the implementation of the STL 2030 Jobs Plan, our focus is on getting the region growing again and doing so in a way that ensures everyone in the metro has the opportunity to thrive,” said Jason Hall, Greater St. Louis, Inc. CEO. “The Inclusive Economic Growth Summit provides an opportunity to bring leaders from across the region together to talk, listen, and learn how we can better collaborate as one metro to drive inclusive economic growth and continue the momentum that is building here.”
The Inclusive Economic Growth Summit also included the launch of a new online tool, STL 2030 Progress, developed to track the region’s advancement toward inclusive economic growth goals and visually highlight the investments, developments, and initiatives driving growth across the 15-county bi-state metro. Visitors to the dynamic website can submit their own ideas and information to be added, contributing to the growing momentum.
“This work is nationally significant,” said nationally renowned urban policy expert Bruce Katz, co-author, The New Localism: How Cities Can Thrive in the Age of Populism, and Founder, New Localism Associates, which helped craft the STL 2030 Jobs Plan. “What St. Louis is doing on inclusive economic growth is a model every other metro area in the country should follow.”
FELLOWS EXPERIENCE CELEBRATES 17TH GRADUATING CLASS
The St. Louis Business Diversity Fellows Experience — an initiative of Greater St. Louis, Inc. devoted to the growth and cultivation of multicultural business and civic leadership — held the graduation ceremony for its 17th cohort at the headquarters of Edward Jones, a dedicated program partner and an executive-level member of the GSL Chair’s Council. The program has graduated more than 1,100 future regional leaders.
“Graduates of the Fellows Experience make an impact on St. Louis. They are the future business and civic leaders driving change across our metro and beyond,” said Valerie Patton, Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer for GSL.
A vibrant, newly opened community economic hub in Dellwood replaces a vacant shopping center — and symbolizes resurgence for the community there. R&R Marketplace, spearheaded by development company Refuge and Restoration, will feature centers for career development and training, co-working and innovation, addiction treatment, and early childhood education, among other businesses and services, including a new branch of Midwest BankCentre called Innovation Center.
“To get here to open the Marketplace is a pure victory,” said Beverly Jenkins, President and CEO of Refuge and Restoration. “At the end of the day, this is about upward mobility.”
NEW EFFORT AIMS TO GROW ST. LOUIS THROUGH LATINO OUTREACH
A new program developed through a partnership between GSL Investor Council Member the International Institute of St. Louis, Jerry Schlichter, and the Missouri AFL-CIO coalition of labor unions aims to boost St. Louis’ population by drawing Latino immigrants to the region — and supporting their growth and development as contributing citizens.
“This is an opportunity for us as a community to bring people already in the country to St. Louis to grow our population, strengthen our economy, and build a more diverse and vibrant region,” said Schlichter, founder and chairman of Arch Grants and an executive-level member of Greater St. Louis, Inc.’s Chair’s Council. “It’s not only to say that we welcome people in St. Louis, but that we’re stepping up our support to help people build their lives here.”
All this week, the region’s annual STL Startup Week is showcasing the breadth and depth of St. Louis’ startup community, critical to building up the small business ecosystem called for in the STL 2030 Jobs Plan. With a focus on connecting the startup community and providing resources to local entrepreneurs, organizers offered talks, panels, workshops, and networking, as well as an STLMade Startup Connection expo and showcase of early-stage startups.
IN CARLINVILLE, IL, GSL CHAMPIONS METRO’S LOCAL BUSINESS DISTRICTS
Greater St. Louis, Inc. visited Carlinville, Ill., this week as part of its ongoing work to promote local business districts across the 15-county, bi-state St. Louis metro. The team from GSL met with local business owners, elected officials, and community leaders to gather information that will help develop the STL 2030 Jobs Plan initiative to strengthen local business districts.
