St. Louis Goes Global at SXSW 2024, Graybar Posts a Record $11B in Sales, Driving Vibrant Change Downtown, and More
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St. Louis Goes Global at SXSW 2024
St. Louis this month took the stage at South by Southwest, one of the world’s leading innovation conferences. For the second year in a row, Greater St. Louis, Inc. led a delegation of leaders under the STLMade banner who spoke with a unified voice about the resurgence taking place in St. Louis.
St. Louis placed two panels on the SXSW Main Stage — selected out of more than 4,500 submissions from across the globe. Another dozen STLMade innovators appeared on panel discussions and other stages over the course of the conference. And GSL coordinated the St. Louis delegation’s activities at the Midwest House as part of its regional business and talent attraction efforts.
“Last year was about introducing St. Louis to the global innovation community. This year, we took down a bigger delegation that showed why St. Louis is the place where anyone can start up, stand out, and stay,” said Maggie Kost, GSL's Chief Business Attraction Officer.
Graybar, an executive-level member of the GSL Chair’s Council, has set a sales record for the second year running. "Our investments in growth, combined with the hard work and dedication of our employees, allowed us to surpass $11 billion in sales for the first time in the company's history," said Kathleen Mazzarella, Graybar’s Chairman.
A GSL-sponsored state tax credit bill (SB 792) would help close big development projects and even fill vacant offices with residential properties in Downtown St. Louis. St. Louis Magazine sat down with GSL’s Chief Downtown Officer, Kurt Weigle, to discuss the legislation and the vision Weigle has of a more vibrant future for Downtown.
$9.9M in Federal Funds to Help Connect St. Louis via the Brickline Greenway
$10 million from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Reconnecting Communities and Neighborhoods Program will fund a new portion of the Brickline Greenway, connecting not just the Armory and City Foundry, but the neighborhoods north of I-64 to the neighborhoods to the south.
“The big-picture vision is for people to have a different experience getting around St. Louis,” said Susan Trautman, CEO, Great Rivers Greenway, a GSL Investor Council member. “Not only will the Greenway connect all of our major destinations and parks, it connects our medical and educational institutions like SLU and Wash U. There's just literally hundreds of destinations along the Brickline.”
MO Helps Make Positive Change with $5M Investment in United Way
The state of Missouri has invested in the United Way of Greater St. Louis — a GSL Investor Council member — with an inaugural allocation of $5 million. Said Michelle Tucker, the United Way’s President and CEO, “As we infuse these dollars into communities across the state, we will see a renewed sense of hope as we work to effect positive change.” The support will help fund the organization’s more than 160 partner agencies, which in turn assist more than 1 million people annually across the region. “Our communities and state government recognize how impactful United Way has been to the people they serve across the state,” said Missouri Senator Brian Williams, who secured the funding.
With $10M Investment, Operation Food Search To Enhance Operations
Operation Food Search, a GSL Investor Council member, is investing $10 million to upgrade the facilities at the food bank’s headquarters in Overland, allowing for additional innovation in how it serves and reaches residents. U.S. Bancorp, an executive-level member of the GSL Chair’s Council, is providing an equity investment in support of the project. “We look forward to seeing the expansion take shape in support of the [Operation Food Search] mission to address food insecurity in our community,” said U.S. Bancorp Impact Finance Vice President William Carson.
A founding member of the St. Louis Anchor Action Network, the University of Missouri-St. Louis — a GSL Chair’s Council member — far exceeded its goals for hiring and purchasing in 2023, setting an example for the region in expanding opportunity for all. The network supports a signature effort in the STL 2030 Jobs Plan to leverage the inclusive growth potential of anchor institutions.
“As co-leader of the St. Louis Anchor Action Network, it is important that we lead,” Chancellor Kristin Sobolik said. “We can’t be satisfied to talk about the importance of our anchor mission. We want to be an example for others to follow because we know our region will be stronger when everyone can contribute to its growth and share in its prosperity.”
In a recent issue, St. Louis Magazine highlights entrepreneurial St. Louisans who are taking “novel approaches that are reshaping a range of sectors in ways large and small.” Coverage includes STLMade innovators Keisha Mabry Haymore and Sarah Bernard.
Blue Bell, a Texas-based ice cream brand, joined St. Peters and St. Charles leaders to cut the ribbon on a new distribution center in St. Peters this week, introducing the brand to the region — and a new Gooey Butter Cake Ice Cream flavor to the world.
Philanthropist Mackenzie Scott Funds Five St. Louis Nonprofits
Five St. Louis nonprofits will advance their missions with $1-2 million in funding from philanthropist MacKenzie Scott. Nurses for Newborns, Sherwood Forest Camp, Missouri Jobs with Justice, Vision for Children at Risk, and Starkloff Disability Institute were five of more than 6,000 nonprofits to receive high marks and unrestricted gifts.
Partnership Expands Reach of SLSO IN UNISON Chorus
A new partnership between the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra — a GSL Investor Council member — and MorningStar music will give SLSO’s IN UNISON Chorus international reach. Publishing the choral group’s music is “an opportunity to share the SLSO’s vision with choruses and orchestras around the world.”
Founded at Vashon High School, Show Me the World Project provides transformative education in entrepreneurship, leadership, and STEM to students in under-resourced communities in St. Louis.
