FORTUNE RANKS SIX ST. LOUIS FIRMS ON ‘MOST INNOVATIVE’ LIST
Six St. Louis companies have been named by Fortune as some of the country’s most innovative. In its inaugural list of “America’s Most Innovative Companies,” Fortune honored 300 companies transforming industries from the inside out, scoring product innovation, process innovation, and innovation culture.
Emerson Electric Co., BJC HealthCare, Centene Corp., Mercy Health, and Edward Jones — all executive-level members of the GSL Chair’s Council — joined Chair’s Council Member Cass Information Systems on this year’s list.
COMMERCE CELEBRATES CLAYTON EXPANSION, NEW ST. LOUIS HEADQUARTERS
Commerce Bank of St. Louis this week officially unveiled its new headquarters in Clayton in a ribbon cutting ceremony, celebrating the company’s office expansion and commitment to the metro. "Commerce Bank Tower will provide us the ability to grow and expand in the future, as well as secure our presence in Clayton for decades to come,” said Robert Holmes, Chairman and CEO of Commerce Bank of St. Louis, an executive-level member of GSL’s Chair’s Council.
GEOSPATIAL SECTOR KICKS OFF BIG STRETCH IN THE SPOTLIGHT
Major events in the metro last week kicked off a months-long stretch of activity that will have St. Louis’ geospatial sector in the global spotlight and reinforce the collaborative effort to establish our metro as the global center for geospatial technology. From Gateway Global’s capital campaign kickoff to the one-year anniversary of Taylor Geospatial Institute, St. Louis’ geospatial sector — highlighted in the STL 2030 Jobs Plan — sees continued growth ahead.
BUSINESS JOURNAL’S WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT GUIDE SHINES LIGHT ON NETWORK IN ST. LOUIS
From industry sectors to people you should know, the St. Louis Business Journal’s newly launched Workforce Development Guide outlines the vast ecosystem of workforce development services in the St. Louis metro. Growing the metro’s workforce is a critical goal of the STL 2030 Jobs Plan, and Greater St. Louis, Inc., featured throughout the guide, works daily with partners and business leaders to expand the number of quality jobs in the region.
Meant to be used year-round, the issue, Publisher Robert Bobroff said, resulted from the realization that “the importance of workforce development for our region cannot be understated. And there are a lot of great people and organizations working hard to improve our workforce.”
TWO LOCAL LEADERS NAMED TO NATIONAL LIST OF BUSINESSWOMEN
Two leaders in the St. Louis business community were named to the Bizwomen 100, an annual list identified by The Business Journals network of publications. Leslie Gill, president of Rung for Women, and Caitlin Murphy, CEO of Global Gateway Logistics, were named among the national group of leaders who can “mentor, guide and serve as examples for others.”
GSL’S VALERIE PATTON NAMED A TOP 100 ST. LOUISAN TO KNOW
Small Business Monthly has named Valerie Patton, Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer, Greater St. Louis, Inc. and President, Greater St. Louis Foundation, as one of “100 Top St. Louisans You Should Know to Succeed in Business.” Greater St. Louis, Inc. salutes Patton’s work to build a more equitable St. Louis. The list includes a variety of notable business professionals, including GSL investors.
Suzanne Sitherwood, president and CEO of St. Louis-based Spire Inc., has announced her impending retirement after a dozen years with the company. Sitherwood, a Greater St. Louis, Inc. Chair’s Council member, also served as chair of the AllianceSTL Advisory Board — a GSL legacy organization. “Suzanne’s leadership and dedication to St. Louis have been pivotal to both the success of Spire and the growth of the St. Louis metro,” said GSL CEO Jason Hall.
GSL DELEGATION DISCUSSES PRIORITIES WITH IL POLICY MAKERS
Greater St. Louis, Inc. last week led a delegation of investors and community leaders to Springfield, Illinois, to advocate for regional business priorities with key state elected officials. Discussion with lawmakers focused on Greater St. Louis, Inc. public policy priorities that will make the Metro East more attractive to talent and prospective businesses.Join Greater St. Louis, Inc. on Wednesday, April 12, for our 2023 Day at the Missouri Capitol.
MISSOURI CHILDCARE INNOVATION GRANTS NOW AVAILABLE
More than $60 million is available for childcare innovation in Missouri through Child Care American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Discretionary funds, distributed by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. Child Care Innovation grants are now open and can be used to support childcare startups, expansions, and workforce innovations.
ST. LOUIS CHESS TAKES GLOBAL STAGE AS WEBSTER TAKES HOME 6TH COLLEGIATE CHESS TITLE
The top U.S. college chess tournament was held at Webster University this past weekend, a reminder of St. Louis’ prominence in the chess world. Three of the final four teams in the President’s Cup were from Missouri, including Saint Louis University — an executive-level member of the GSL Chair’s Council — the University of Missouri, and GSL Chair’s Council Member Webster University, which took home its sixth national collegiate chess title. Thanks to the efforts of executive-level member of the GSL Chair’s Council Rex Sinquefield and his wife, Dr. Jeanne Cairns Sinquefield, St. Louis has become a global hub for chess.
SEEKING PROPOSALS, BRIDGETON HOPES TO BUILD AN INDUSTRIAL CORE
The city of Bridgeton, Missouri, is hoping to create an “industrial front door,” seeking innovative proposals to develop 500 acres and build on the city’s existing industrial and manufacturing districts. The proposed site, primarily undeveloped, is only 10 minutes from St. Louis Lambert International Airport, a GSL Chair's Council member, with access to highway and rail. Officials are looking for office, warehouse, logistics, industrial and manufacturing uses, along with retail and hospitality development.
NEW FRANKLIN COUNTY MANUFACTURER INVESTS $2.9M, CREATES 17 JOBS
A newly formed manufacturing company will invest $2.9 million in a new production facility in Union, Missouri, creating 17 new jobs in Franklin County. Black Sheep Ammunition, which specializes in small-caliber ammunition for use at shooting ranges, expects to open later this year, with production beginning in July or August.
MAY 25: JOIN THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY DOWNTOWN FOR THE 2023 BIZ DASH
Greater St. Louis, Inc. is proud to partner with the GSL Member Investor St. Louis Sports Commission for this year’s Biz Dash 5K presented by World Wide Technology — an executive-level member of the GSL Chair’s Council — in Downtown St. Louis at CITYPARK on Thursday, May 25. Known as “St. Louis’ healthiest happy hour,” the event brings coworkers, friends, and family together to celebrate the community and living a healthy lifestyle. Create or join your company team below.
At each St. Louis CITY SC home match, Enterprise Holdings, Inc. — an executive-level member of the GSL Chair’s Council — will celebrate community organizations that are furthering the growth and revitalization of St. Louis, providing up to 159 free tickets to guests of organizations selected. “Enterprise began as a small car leasing business in St. Louis, and we owe much of our success to this community,” said President and CEO Chrissy Taylor. “This partnership embodies our shared commitment with St. Louis CITY SC to give back to our community.”
