This Week: SIUE Estimates $1B Impact on Regional Economy, GSL Announces CEO Transition, STL GDP Continues to Beats Targets, and More
Not rendering correctly? View this email as a web page here
SIUE Estimates a $1B Impact on Regional Economy
An economic impact report from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville — a GSL Investor Council member — indicates the local university makes a $1.3 billion impact on the regional economy, due in part to its campus operations, student expenditures, visitor spending, and more.
“I want to be clear that it is the synergy and cooperation with the communities across the region, including many civic and corporate partners, that enable SIUE to have such a positive impact," said SIUE Chancellor James T. Minor.
CITYPARK, home of St. Louis CITY SC and soon to be renamed as Energizer Park, has won the prestigious 2024 Prix Versailles World Title in the sports category, a recognition of the world’s finest contemporary architecture and design. “A critical tenet of St. Louis CITY SC’s mission is to see ourselves on the global stage, an exceptional club and neighbor, and help elevate the world’s view of St. Louis and the transformational role sporting venues can play in the community,” said Lee Broughton, CITY’s Chief Brand Architect.
State Lawmakers Reintroduce Revitalizing Downtowns and Main Streets Act
Missouri Senator Steve Roberts and Representative Travis Wilson have reintroduced the Revitalizing Downtowns and Main Streets Act for the 2025 legislative session. A GSL public policy priority, the bill would incentivize the conversion of vacant office space in Missouri’s downtowns and along its main streets into vibrant residential space and spur the redevelopment of major projects in Downtown St. Louis, like the Railway Exchange and the AT&T Tower.
Gateway Arch Park Foundation has released a Request for Proposals for the former Millennium Hotel site. Submissions are due Jan. 13, 2025. See the RFP.
Greater St. Louis, Inc. Announces CEO Transition
GSL announced this week that Jason Hall has accepted the position of CEO with the Columbus Partnership and will step down from his role with GSL in the coming weeks.
“Our board, staff, and investors are deeply grateful to Jason for his leadership and his nearly 12 years of service to St. Louis and its business community, both with and prior to the formation of GSL,” said GSL Founding Chair and Executive Chairman of Enterprise Mobility Andy Taylor. “Under his leadership, GSL has put major wins on the board and, in just four short years, is already recognized by our peers as a best-in-class organization.”
GSL’s board of directors will engage in a national search to identify and recruit an exceptionally qualified CEO to guide GSL into the organization’s next chapter. Chief Real Estate Officer Dustin Allison will lead GSL in the interim.
"We have a world-class leadership team that will continue the work to execute the STL 2030 Jobs Plan, foster inclusive growth, and continue the momentum our region has built,” added Taylor. “GSL won’t miss a beat during this transition process.”
Welcome Neighbor Approved to Resettle Refugees in St. Louis
St. Louis nonprofit Welcome Neighbor STL announced this week that it has received approval to work with the International Rescue Committee to resettle at least 18 refugees in St. Louis. It joins the International Institute of St. Louis and other organizations in attracting more immigrants and refugees to the region, spurring population and economic growth.
St. Louis’ GDP Growth Continues to Beat Targets Set for Metro
Newly released federal data show that St. Louis’ economic momentum continues to build. “These data highlight our continued momentum and serve as proof that working together as one metro and speaking with a unified voice is how we drive sustained growth for the future,” said Dustin Allison, Interim CEO of GSL.
The data, released by the federal Bureau of Economic Analysis, show that in 2023, the St. Louis metro had $227 billion in GDP, up 7.1% from 2022. The BEA data follow other recent indicators that St. Louis is building economic momentum, including our recent national ranking in the top five cities for job growth, as well as recent census data that put St. Louis as the number one metro for growth in foreign-born population.
Why this matters: For 2023, the 15-county St. Louis metropolitan area saw its GDP increase by 2.5%, well ahead of the annual growth rate of 2.0% that the region needs to meet to reach the inclusive growth targets set at the launch two years ago of STL 2030 Progress.
Centene Foundation Gives $3M to Support Community Health
With a $3 million commitment, Centene Foundation, the charitable arm of Centene Corporation — an executive-level member of the GSL Chair’s Council — will strengthen community health centers nationwide. A partnership with the National Association of Community Health Centers, the donation will support value-based care adoption and maternal health outcomes.
InvestMidwest 2025 to Showcase Innovative Midwest Startups
InvestMidwest is returning to St. Louis, May 6-7, 2025. The venture capital conference connects startups with investors, highlighting and supporting innovation coming out of the Midwest. Applications for more than 50 pitch slots are now open to Midwest companies in agrifood, medtech, or digital tech industries.
