A Conversation With Jason Hall, Healthcare Partnership Creates "Meaningful Lift", 37 St. Louis Companies Named To Inc. 5000, and More
Not rendering correctly? View this email as a web page here
“WE CAN REVERSE UNDERINVESTMENT AND EXPAND OPPORTUNITY”
In a special publication this week, the St. Louis American explores the imperative of diversity, equity, and inclusion as a business priority. The cover story highlights the critical work of Greater St. Louis, Inc. in pursuing inclusive economic growth for the metro. In a conversation with CEO Jason Hall, the American explores the GSL initiatives that elevate Black business owners, entrepreneurs, investors, and workers, and help guide the region toward greater investment and expanded opportunity for all.
Hall explains: “At the end of the day, by developing a plan for growth and rethinking how we build the table by engaging people who will benefit the most from it in the process from the start shows the power of collaboration and focusing on bringing investment to areas of community that need it.”
A new partnership between SSM Health — an executive-level member of the GSL Chair’s Council — Siemens Healthineers, and GSL Investor Council Member Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis will deliver a one-two punch: more accurate healthcare technology and job training opportunities for people in the community.
Business publication Inc. named 37 St. Louis firms to this year’s Inc. 5000 list of the nation’s fastest-growing private companies. One — Birch Creek Energy, a Midtown-based solar and energy storage business — broke into the top five, coming in at Nov. 3 with an astounding 87,665% three-year revenue growth.
The prestigious Merit Extension Award from the National Cancer Institute will extend Siteman Cancer Center’s current Cancer Center Support grant for an additional two years, providing $12 million to continue NCI support for innovative cancer research, training, prevention, and community outreach programs.
A surgical team from Washington University’s School of Medicine performed the first robot-assisted whole-liver transplant in the U.S. in May at Barnes-Jewish Hospital. The successful procedure underscores the world class medical resources found in the St. Louis metro, like executive-level members of the GSL Chair’s Council BJC Healthcare and Washington University in St. Louis.
Over the next decade, the Missouri Historical Society plans to unveil a series of new projects designed to help build a stronger St. Louis. “We believe the more people know about their community’s past, the more interested they will be in its present and the more invested they will be in its future,” explains the institution, a GSL Investor Council member. Released this week, a new video kicks off the endeavor, introducing visitors to a St. Louis they’ve never met.
Ameren Corporation President and CEO Marty Lyons will succeed longtime Executive Chairman Warner Baxter upon his retirement Nov. 2, the company announced this week. Deeply committed to his industry sector and to the St. Louis metro, Baxter serves in a number of leadership roles, including as a GSL Executive Committee member.
Black Enterprise has named St. Louis-based Ameren Corporation a 2023 Best Company for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion. The list includes publicly traded corporations “dedicated to creating more dynamic workforces, diverse corporate governance, expansive supply chains, and inclusive management.”
The 26th anniversary of Paint Louis drew the attention of Forbes this week, with the publication highlighting the event’s turn from underground experience to cultural icon. Organizers expect 500 graffiti artists and musicians from around the world to convene along a 1.5-mile section of the Mississippi River floodwall in Downtown St. Louis over Labor Day Weekend.
St. Louis-based Native Pet, a pet nutrition startup, just closed on an $11 million Series B funding round, allowing for continued growth. With headquarters in Downtown West, the rapidly expanding company has nearly 25 employees and counts a rebrand and digital platforms among its tools to attract a growing consumer audience.
Plant-based prepared food service rootberry is expanding its reach nationwide. The St. Louis startup previously sold its meals, salads, snacks, and desserts directly to consumers only in the region, but recently pivoted to the 48 contiguous U.S. states. Company leaders expect to double sales this year alone.
St. Louis showed up on the national innovation stage at South by Southwest 2023 in a big way. To keep the momentum going, the St. Louis community has submitted nine new panels, on topics ranging from geospatial science to culture and cuisine, to the SXSW Panel Picker for SXSW 2024. Vote now to help elevate these panels — and showcase St. Louis' thought leadership to a global audience.
STLCC WORKFORCE REPORT HIGHLIGHTS CHALLENGES — AND GAINS
St. Louis Community College — a GSL Chair’s Council member — this week released its annual State of St. Louis Workforce report, concluding that while the economic climate remains uncertain, bright spots exist: the region gained nearly 80,000 workers over the last decade, saw a decided increase in startups, and has grown its manufacturing sector by 10%.
A trip to Breese, Illinois, illustrated how the St. Louis region’s manufacturing sector can help drive economic growth across the 15-county St. Louis metro. Greater St. Louis, Inc. this week toured the multi-generational, family-owned Excel Bottling and hosted a roundtable discussion with local business and community leaders, discussing opportunities and challenges for the community.
Educator-turned-entrepreneur Marcus Howard is raising the standard of pharmacy care with the launch of GreaterHealth Pharmacy & Wellness in the Delmar DivINe.
-2.png?upscale=true&width=560&upscale=true&name=MicrosoftTeams-image%20(95)-2.png)
