GSL Joins Regional Institutions To Take 39 North Innovation District To The Next Level And STL Tech Week Makes Innovation Available To All
Not rendering correctly? View this email as a web page here
GSL JOINS REGIONAL INSTITUTIONS TO TAKE 39 NORTH INNOVATION DISTRICT TO THE NEXT LEVEL
Greater St. Louis, Inc. has joined forces with six other regional entities to establish 39 North AgTech Innovation District. The new organization will be responsible for elevating the district to the next level of successful growth and economic impact, bringing together people, resources, and facilities to grow St. Louis’ economy and global reputation.
“Coming out of the STL 2030 Jobs Plan, our metro is focused on inclusive economic growth, and innovation districts are a critical success driver,” said Greater St. Louis, Inc. CEO Jason Hall. “39 North will be committed to collaborating with Cortex, Downtown North, T-REX and the full constellation of assets in our region to attract, retain, and scale innovation in myriad sectors and industries.”
2023 STL TECH WEEK MAKES INNOVATION AVAILABLE TO ALL
More than 5,000 people are expected to participate in the metro’s inaugural STL Tech Week 2023 this week, organized by regional tech council TechSTL, of which GSL is a member and sponsor. Through Friday, April 28, the agenda includes nearly 40 free events at dozens of venues in both Missouri and Illinois, highlighting the bi-state metro’s emerging leadership in technology and innovation — two sectors critical to economic growth, according to the Jobs Plan.
ST. LOUIS’ COUNTERPUBLIC TURNS HEADS OF INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
An STLMade exhibit is receiving national and international attention for its breadth and depth, innovation, and ambition. Counterpublic, a triennial civic exhibition that weaves 30 artist commissions into the daily life of St. Louis along a six-mile stretch of Jefferson Avenue, was featured recently by global media publications Forbes and the Guardian. The singular exhibit is, the Guardian wrote, a “vast undertaking that aims to grapple with some sizable questions and redress historical wrongs.”
INVESTORS HONORED AT CORPORATE PHILANTHROPY AWARDS
The St. Louis Business Journal last week honored a number of Greater St. Louis, Inc. investors and others during the Corporate Philanthropy Awards 2023. From executive-level Chair’s Council members like Edward Jones, Centene Corp., and World Wide Technology, to Chair’s Council members like University of Missouri-St. Louis, the awards exemplified the St. Louis business community’s generosity and commitment to our metro.
THREE ST. LOUIS NURSING PROGRAMS RANKED BEST IN U.S.
Three St. Louis institutions were named to US News and World Report’s 2023-2024 Best Nursing Schools for master’s programs. GSL Chair's Council Member Webster University, Executive-Level Member of the GSL Chair's Council Saint Louis University, and Goldfarb School of Nursing at Barnes-Jewish College, an entity of Executive-Level Member of the GSL Chair's Council BJC Healthcare, were listed as having some of the top master’s nursing programs in the country. The schools are working to fill a critical healthcare talent pipeline in St. Louis and beyond.
ST. LOUIS RANKED A TOP 10 CITY TO GET THE MOST FOR YOUR MONEY
How far will a $100,000 salary go? In St. Louis, workers can get more for their money, according to a new analysis by SmartAsset. The study explored what a $100,000 salary is worth in different parts of the country, determining what St. Louisans have long known — that our region, coming in at #10, offers world-class amenities and opportunities in an affordable place to live comfortably.
BEYOND HOUSING: “PROOF THAT GREAT THINGS ARE HAPPENING IN ST. LOUIS”
In a recent article, Beyond Housing — whose Once and for All effort addresses the root source of some of our region’s longstanding challenges — celebrated some of the many wins happening in the metro. From St. Louis CITY SC and the NGA’s new headquarters to affordable housing and new homes in some of the metro’s most disinvested areas, there’s a lot to celebrate.
“Investing in our region—including our people and communities that have often been left behind—is a vital part of moving the St. Louis region forward,” the organization reminded.
Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner, an executive-level member of the GSL Chair’s Council, is expanding to Seattle, its first location in the Pacific Northwest. With this new expansion, Downtown-based Bryan Cave — one of the largest law firms in St. Louis — will have a total of 31 offices around the world, including the new Seattle location.
Clayton-based Graybar is buying Valin Corp, one of the largest privately held companies in Silicon Valley. An executive-level member of the GSL Chair’s Council, Graybar is one of St. Louis’ top five privately held companies, and last month, reported a record $10 billion in sales.
ST. LOUIS MAYOR JONES ANNOUNCES OFFICE OF NEW AMERICANS
During St. Louis Mayor Tishaura Jones’ State of the City address this week, she announced the creation of the Office of New Americans. The initiative will work to reduce barriers for refugees and immigrants to access resources, connect with local government, establish businesses, and access housing. Welcoming immigrant populations is critical for the metro’s growth, and initiatives like this will help them find success in St. Louis.
“We welcome this initiative and the support from the Mayor’s office in ensuring that everyone in this community can access resources and thrive,” said Arrey Obenson, President and CEO of the International Institute of St. Louis, a GSL Member Investor and a national leader serving the metro’s immigrant populations.
The St. Louis Mosaic Project, an initiative designed to grow and support the St. Louis metro’s immigrant populations, celebrated its 10th year of work at a celebration this month. St. Louis Mayor Tishaura Jones and David Kemper, Executive Chairman, Commerce Banchares, Inc., an executive-level member of the GSL Chair's Council, both discussed the benefits and achievements of the initiative in remarks during the event.
“Over the past ten years the region has grown by approximately 20,000 foreign-born people, adding to economic and cultural prosperity,” said Mosaic Executive Director, Betsy Cohen.
ST. LOUIS CHARACTER: KATHY MORDINI IS BUSY BUILDING BELLEVILLE
Real estate broker Kathy Mordini is hard at work, elevating her hometown of Belleville, Illinois. From spearheading the Belleville Mural Project to developing lofts in the city’s downtown, her projects help to attract visitors, businesses, and growth to the Metro East. A key mandate of the STL 2030 Jobs Plan, revitalizing the metro’s small business districts will help stabilize communities and create new jobs.
ST. LOUIS GROUPS ENCOURAGE BIKING AND TRANSIT IN MAY
May is National Bike Month, and Greater St. Louis, Inc., Metro Transit, GSL Member Investor Trailnet, and Executive-Level Member of the GSL Chair’s Council Washington University in St. Louis have partnered to celebrate biking and the benefits it — and a robust public transit system — brings to a thriving metro and a strong urban core. Check out the line-up of events and opportunities at the link below.
