U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg Highlights $200M Federal Investment in Metrolink, St. Louis Region Named One Of Top Startup Ecosystems, and More
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U.S. SECRETARY OF TRANSPORTATION PETE BUTTIGIEG HIGHLIGHTS $200M FEDERAL INVESTMENT IN METROLINK
U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg visited East St. Louis this week to announce a $28 million federal grant to help the metro recover from last year’s flooding, raising to nearly $225 million the total federal investment to upgrade MetroLink, when coupled with the $196 million in federal funds announced this past May.
Following the announcement event at the Emerson Park MetroLink station in East St. Louis, leaders from the business community met with Buttigieg to highlight transportation infrastructure projects critical to the continuation of the St. Louis metro’s resurgence.
“These federal investments build on an historic level of state funding for public transportation for which Greater St. Louis, Inc. advocated in order to build a more inclusive economy for St. Louis,” said GSL CEO Jason Hall. “St. Louis is laser-focused on winning competitive investments to build an even more robust economy that works for all.”
ENTREPRENEURS CAN FIND SUCCESS IN ST. LOUIS, A TOP STARTUP ECOSYSTEM
Policy advisory and research organization Startup Genome has named St. Louis one of the top startup ecosystems in the U.S. The rankings assessed success factors in each ecosystem, including performance, funding, market reach, connectedness, talent and experience, and knowledge, with St. Louis coming in ahead of Nashville, Charlotte, Kansas City, and Indianapolis.
MERCY EXPANDS REACH AS SOUTHEASTHEALTH JOINS ITS NETWORK
The reach of Chesterfield-based Mercy — an executive-level member of the GSL Chair’s Council — is growing, thanks to a merger with Cape Girardeau-based SoutheastHEALTH. The move adds 2,600 employees, two hospitals, and patients from four states to Mercy’s business, expanding healthcare access in southeast Missouri.
MCDONNELL FOUNDATION SUPPORTS ST. LOUIS ANCHOR ACTION NETWORK WITH $2.4M GRANT
The James S. McDonnell Foundation announced today it is making a $2.4 million grant to the St. Louis Anchor Action Network, allowing for additional staffing and programming to support the network’s members and build on its early success and impact.
STLAAN combines the resources of healthcare, education, and the public and private sectors to create a new model for efforts to overcome the systemic impact of racism and disinvestment in the metro. Its members include large anchor institutions, like executive-level members of the GSL Chair’s Council Edward Jones and GSL Chair’s Council Member University of Missouri St. Louis, that serve as pillars in the community.
“This commitment from the James S. McDonnell Foundation is a testament to the civic and community-minded generosity that is driving St. Louis’ resurgence,” said GSL CEO Jason Hall. “We want to applaud Jason Purnell, the McDonnell Foundation, and the St. Louis Anchor Action Network for their ongoing commitment to improving the lives of the people of St. Louis.”
POTENTIAL, POSSIBILITY AND POWER: HARRIS STOWE REBRANDS
Harris-Stowe State University this week announced a rebranded look, feel, and message for the HBCU. “We are excited about our scholars, what they bring and who they are. And we are dedicated to ensuring that they graduate with bright futures enabling them to contribute throughout the region and the world,” said President Dr. LaTonia Collins Smith.
A new arrangement announced by the St. Louis Blues — a GSL Member Investor — will celebrate the musical genre that gave the team its name. The Blues will collaborate with the National Blues Museum, GSL Investor Council Member Gateway Arch Park Foundation, and GSL Chair’s Council Member Kranzberg Arts Foundation to feature unique activations at fall music festivals hosted by each group.
USGIF SCHOLARSHIPS SUPPORT GEOSPATIAL TALENT IN ST. LOUIS
Lillian Nix, a rising junior at Lindenwood University, represents the next generation of geospatial talent in St. Louis. Awarded the United States Geospatial Intelligence Foundation’s inaugural GeoFutures STL Scholarship, funded by Greater St. Louis, Inc., Nix is passionate about the intersection of environmental sciences and GIS technology, hoping to use data to tackle climate change and deforestation, and help preserve precious species and ecosystems around the world.
The scholarship is one of three funded by St. Louis’ geospatial community: the Globe Building and Westway Services Group scholarships will also support St. Louis geospatial students as they further their studies in geospatial fields — supporting talent and advancing the sector in the metro.
At its annual awards luncheon this week, the Economic Development Council of St. Charles County honored some of the community’s most impactful economic development efforts. GSL Chief Business Attraction Officer Maggie Kost was the featured speaker at the event, which celebrated projects by SSM Health — an executive-level member of the GSL Chair’s Council — and the Fort Zumwalt School District — a GSL Investor Council member.
BUSINESS JOURNAL RECOGNIZES REGION’S MOST INFLUENTIAL BUSINESS WOMEN
The St. Louis Business Journal this week recognized the accomplishments of 25 of the region’s most impactful women business leaders. GSL Senior Vice President for Business Attraction Tracy Whelpley was honored alongside Michelle Tucker, President and CEO of United Way of Greater St. Louis and GSL Board Member, as well as leaders from GSL executive-level investors like Schnuck Markets Inc., Edward Jones, and Keeley Companies.
Through Bold Xchange, co-founders Danielle Deavens and Doug Spencer aim to improve equity in entrepreneurship by helping large companies support smaller Black-owned businesses.
