St. Louis Voters Elect Cara Spencer as New Mayor | St. Louis’ World-Class Food Scene Adds Two James Beard Award Finalists | More Metro News
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Photo Credit: Robert Cohen, Post-Dispatch
St. Louis Voters Elect Cara Spencer as New Mayor
Voters in the City of St. Louis have elected Alderwoman Cara Spencer as mayor. Spencer, who received nearly two-thirds of the vote, will be sworn-in as Mayor Tuesday, April 15. Her campaign “was built on the idea that we can build a downtown that we can all be proud of while making neighborhoods south and north safer and more prosperous,” Spencer said.
St. Louis voters also elected former state Representative Donna Baringer as the City’s new Comptroller.
The Bottom Line: This election provides new opportunities for the business community to partner with the City of St. Louis to drive growth. GSL Interim CEO Dustin Allison said: “St. Louis City voters have made clear their desire for change, and we look forward to working with Mayor-elect Spencer and her team to ensure a smooth transition into office and to building a strong relationship so that we can act strategically and with urgency to get the City of St. Louis growing again.”
Voters in St. Louis County rejected Proposition B, a ballot initiative which GSL publicly opposed. Greater St. Louis, Inc. Interim CEO Dustin Allison said: “We are proud to stand with the voters of St. Louis County who voted down Proposition B. We look forward to working with the leaders of the St. Louis County to drive growth and create more opportunity for the future.”
St. Louis’ World-Class Food Scene Adds Two James Beard Award Finalists
St. Louis has one of the country’s best food and restaurant scenes, and the prestigious James Beard Foundation has validated that by naming two St. Louis chefs as finalists for its annual awards. The foundation named Jane Sacro Chatham of Vicia in the Central West End a nominee for emerging chef and Loryn Nalic of Balkan Treat Box in Webster Groves a nominee for best chef: Midwest.
Regional Collaboration Brings New Law Enforcement Training Facility to the Metro
Collaboration among a bipartisan group of leaders from across the region has resulted in the state of Missouri providing $50 million in funding for a new regional law enforcement training facility. St. Charles County Executive Steve Ehlman, Jefferson County Executive Dennis Gannon, St. Louis County Executive Dr. Sam Page, and Franklin County Presiding Commissioner Dave Schatz worked together to secure the award from the state. The center is an outgrowth of the collaboration begun at the Regional Violent Crime Reduction Summit in May 2023, at which regional elected officials agreed to work together to reduce violent crime in the metro. Former Franklin County Presiding Commissioner Tim Brinker, who helped lead the effort to develop the training facility, now serves as GSL’s Senior Vice President for Government Relations.
The Wedge Innovation Center, a new $33 million coworking space in downtown Alton, is now officially open for business — marking the completion of the first major project along Alton’s central and historic corridor. GSL investor Southern Illinois University Edwardsville will be a tenant, where various university centers, like ones focusing on geographic information systems, data and machine learning and community development, will operate out of the Wedge and collaborate with entrepreneurs.
New Science Center CEO Looks to Trumpet Research Taking Place In St. Louis
As part of a new strategic plan, Ray Vandiver, the new President and CEO of the St. Louis Science Center, an Investor Council member of Greater St. Louis, Inc., wants the center to focus on research in the St. Louis region, including work in aerospace, transportation, and plant and health sciences. "This is science that's actually happening here and now," Vandiver said. "It will be making the pitch of potential careers and opportunities and promoting our city for the thousands upon thousands of tourists that come through."
On Its 25th Anniversary, InvestMidwest Returns to St. Louis
For 25 years, InvestMidwest has helped more than 740 Midwestern companies connect with investors, raising a total of nearly $5 billion in funding — and generating incalculable innovation. The annual venture capital forum returns to St. Louis this year, where it will bring high-growth startups, investors, and support organizations together to showcase the Midwest’s strengths in medtech, agrifood, and digital sectors like geospatial, supply chain, and fintech. The two-day event will take place at the Angad Arts Hotel and on Saint Louis University’s campus.
