Bunge Merger "Another Major Global Win" For St. Louis, Expansion Doubles Size of MidAmerica Airport, And More
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BUNGE MERGER "ANOTHER MAJOR GLOBAL WIN” FOR ST. LOUIS
St. Louis-based global agribusiness leader Bunge announced this week plans to merge with Viterra, an agriculture firm based in the Netherlands. The merger will propel the company’s annual revenue past $100 billion, increase its global reach, and strengthen its ability to compete against other major agricultural firms. An executive-level member of the GSL Chair’s Council, Bunge moved its global headquarters from New York to St. Louis in 2019.
“This is another major global win and more evidence of the resurgence building in St. Louis,” said Greater St. Louis, Inc. CEO Jason Hall. “This deal strengthens Bunge’s new global headquarters here in St. Louis and further propels our metro to the forefront of the global economy.”
EXPANSION DOUBLES SIZE OF METRO EAST’S MIDAMERICA AIRPORT
A newly expanded terminal at MidAmerica St. Louis Airport adds 41,000 square feet and two new gates to the Metro East facility, nearly doubling its size. A ribbon cutting ceremony this week celebrated the $34 million project, bringing together Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, House Assistant Majority Leader Jay Hoffman, and St. Clair County Board Chairman Mark Kern, among other regional leaders.
The University of Missouri St. Louis, a GSL Chair’s Council member, recently broke ground on the construction of a $16.5 million visitor center. The Richter Family Welcome and Alumni Center will enhance the campus visit experience for prospective students and house the university’s admissions team, alumni group association, and more.
EMERSON STRENGTHENS COMMITMENT TO ST. LOUIS WITH NEW HEADQUARTERS
Emerson, a Fortune 500 company founded in St. Louis in 1890, strengthened its commitment to our metro by cutting the ribbon on its new corporate headquarters in Clayton. The company, an executive-level member of the GSL Chair’s Council, will move into its new headquarters, now named Emerson Tower, in 2024.
“This is a great day for St. Louis and continues the work of Emerson and other members of our business community to invest in St. Louis and be a part of the resurgence that is building here,” said Greater St. Louis, Inc. CEO Jason Hall. “This next exciting chapter of Emerson’s history being ushered in by CEO Lal Karsanbhai and his team will unfold in St. Louis, and we are very excited for what’s next for one of St. Louis’ great corporate citizens.”
A ribbon cutting this weekend celebrated The Victor, the $130M project transforming the previously vacant Butler Brothers building into a mixed-use development. The catalytic project championed by Greater St. Louis, Inc. builds on the neighborhood momentum created by St. Louis Union Station, St. Louis CITY SC, and others.
A $1 million investment is bringing two new community basketball courts to a beloved city park. The project, made possible through the park's Common Ground Campaign, was celebrated by local and regional leaders, including Mayor Tishaura Jones, Board of Aldermen President Megan Green, Alderwoman Daniela Velazquez, and Missouri State Rep. Peter Merideth.
Pictured: Greater St. Louis, Inc. CEO Jason Hall and Lufthansa CEO Carsten Spohr
GSL SHARES STORY OF ST. LOUIS’ RESURGENCE WITH LUFTHANSA’S GLOBAL EXECUTIVES
Just over one year ago, St. Louis celebrated our first nonstop flight to continental Europe in over 20 years on Lufthansa, allowing the metro to embrace the airline’s mission statement: “Connecting people, cultures, and economies.” Because of the profound impact of the Lufthansa flight and the strong support of the business and civic communities that made it a success, Lufthansa invited Greater St. Louis, Inc. to share the story of our metro’s resurgence with their global executives at their annual meeting June 13 in Washington, DC.
“What Lufthansa has come to represent in St. Louis is more than an airline, and the service is more than a route," said GSL CEO Jason Hall. “Lufthansa is like family to us now – a unique partnership that has helped change the trajectory of our great city.”
METRO CIVIC AND BUSINESS LEADERS TO PITCH ST. LOUIS IN LONDON
A delegation of St. Louis business and civic leaders will travel to London next week to pitch global business investment in the St. Louis metro. Led by Greater St. Louis, Inc., Explore St. Louis, and the World Trade Center St. Louis — the international division of St. Louis Economic Development Partnership — the trip will coincide with the Cardinals’ series against the Chicago Cubs.
As part of a series on Unleashing Regional Innovation, the Federation of American Scientists sat down with Greater St. Louis, Inc. Chief Policy Officer Tracy Henke and Ben Johnson, Senior Vice President, Programs, for BioSTL — a GSL Investor Council member — to talk about the plan for St. Louis’ Tech Triangle, a project made possible by the region’s Build Back Better Regional Challenge grant award.
A new, $225 million facility on the campus of Mercy Hospital St. Louis — an executive-level member of the GSL Chair’s Council — is one of the largest multi-specialty surgery centers in the nation. The Mercy Center for Performance Medicine and Specialty Care houses a number of outpatient surgical specialties, including new innovations that advance care for individuals and healthcare as a whole — along with the St. Louis metro’s reputation within the sector.
“Our lives are changing rapidly, and so is health care,” said Steve Mackin, Mercy president and CEO. “The Center for Performance Medicine symbolizes a commitment with each of our patients to help them lead healthier lives.”
FRIDAY ON NBC’S TODAY: ST. LOUIS MUSICIANS BRIAN AND THOMAS OWENS
St. Louis goes national this Friday, when local musician Brian Owens and his father, Thomas, will be featured on NBC’s “Today With Hoda & Jenna.” The segment will celebrate the 10th anniversary of the pair’s viral performance of “A Change Is Gonna Come,” prior to a Father’s Day concert here in St. Louis and the release of a new “Duets with Dad” album.
DAVID STEWARD II LANDS ON LIST OF POWERFUL PEOPLE IN KIDS’ ENTERTAINMENT
Founder and CEO of St. Louis-based Lion Forge Animation David Steward II was named one of the “75 Most Powerful People in Kids’ Entertainment” by the Hollywood Reporter. Led by Steward, the studio — which already has an Academy Award on its shelf — is making a name for itself for its compelling, diverse, and inclusive stories.
In this story from our archives, we talk to soul artist turned community facilitator Brian Owens, who helps lift up young creatives in St. Louis. See Brian on NBC’s “Today With Hoda & Jenna” this Friday.
