New Federal Data Ranks St. Louis Metro #3 in National Job Growth, The Region Comes Together at the 2024 Inclusive Economic Growth Summit, and More
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Continued Momentum: New Federal Data Ranks St. Louis Metro #3 in National Job Growth
New data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics shows the St. Louis metro now ranks number three in the country for our rate of job growth, tied with the Indianapolis metro area. Only Las Vegas and Salt Lake City, Utah, had higher rates of growth from August 2023 to August 2024.
The positive numbers follow a report from July, showing that St. Louis’ rate of job growth surpassed the national rate by a significant margin, and landing the metro in the country’s top 10 regions for job growth for the first time in decades. The new data shows a continuation of that momentum.
“This is the second straight federal data report showing St. Louis as one of the fastest-growing metros in the country for jobs,” said Jason Hall, CEO of Greater St. Louis, Inc. “We have much more work to do moving forward, but this continued momentum shows the rest of the country that what we are building here is real and that the way we are working to grow our economy — inclusively, collaboratively, and speaking with a unified voice as one metro — is the right path, the path upon which we must continue.”
Downtown Momentum Continues as 7th Street Revitalization Project Gets Underway
Traffic cones have gone down and old sidewalks are coming up as construction work has begun on the project to connect two major Downtown anchors with a new-look 7th Street between Ballpark Village and America’s Center on Washington Avenue. The project, funded with $3.7 million in public and private funds, continues the work of the partnership between the City and the business community to make Downtown safe, vibrant, and beautiful — a mandate of the STL 2030 Jobs Plan.
“This is a critical infrastructure project that will provide a better connection between Ballpark Village and the America’s Center and add vibrancy and street-level activity in the heart of Downtown,” said Bill DeWitt III, President of the St. Louis Cardinals, a GSL Chair’s Council member. “We are proud and excited to be a part of this public-private partnership that is helping to strengthen and revitalize Downtown St. Louis.”
Top Choice: St. Louis Voters Rank Infrastructure Investment as Priority for City’s Rams Funds
In a survey of 600 St. Louis City voters who are likely to vote in the City’s April 2025 general election, participants ranked investing in infrastructure in underinvested neighborhoods in North and Southeast City and in Downtown as their top choice for how the City should use funds from the Rams settlement, according to a newly released poll commissioned by GSL.
“St. Louis City has pressing infrastructure needs, and we have funds available from the Rams settlement that are best suited for investment in one-time, catalytic projects. We support using these funds in North and Southeast City neighborhoods and in Downtown,” said Jason Hall, CEO of GSL. “Reestablishing the connection between Downtown — St. Louis’ largest commercial and employment center — and its neighborhoods is essential to the rejuvenation and growth of St. Louis. The time to act is now.”
GSL Chief Downtown Officer Kurt Weigle discussed the plan during a St. Louis Board of Aldermen hearing on the proposal this week.
Oct. 16: The Region Comes Together at the 2024 Inclusive Economic Growth Summit
On Wednesday, Oct. 16, GSL will host the second annual Inclusive Economic Growth Summit at the Marriott St. Louis Grand Downtown. Driving inclusive growth in the St. Louis metro is a challenge that crosses municipal, county, and even state lines. The STL 2030 Jobs Plan makes it clear that inclusive growth will take bold and innovative forms of collaboration. Join Greater St. Louis, Inc. and leaders from across the metro to explore exciting ways public-private collaboration is helping small and diverse-owned businesses start up, scale up, and drive inclusive growth in St. Louis.
GSL CEO Jason Hall with Laura Kaiser, President & CEO of SSM Health
Healthcare Anchor Network Convenes in St. Louis
This week, members of Healthcare Anchor Network met in St. Louis for the group’s 2024 Convening. Members of HAN — a nationally recognized collaboration of more than 75+ health systems leveraging their institutional assets more intentionally to improve health and well-being by addressing economic and racial inequities — visited organizations, neighborhoods, and institutions making an impact on St. Louis’ economy while fostering a more equitable future for the community.
St. Elizabeth’s to Invest $50M in Hospital Expansion
A growing Metro East hospital is expanding. HSHS St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, which moved from Belleville to a new facility in O’Fallon, Illinois, just seven years ago, is planning to invest $50 million to add a three-floor, 20,000-square-foot ambulatory surgical treatment center to its facility.
Downtown Restaurant Week Celebrates St. Louis as a Food City, Oct. 14 - 20
Savor Downtown restaurants during Downtown Restaurant Week Monday, Oct. 14 - Sunday, Oct. 20. The week-long celebration of the best of Downtown St. Louis’ restaurant scene features specials and deals at the area’s most popular restaurants and bars.
“St. Louis is second to none as a food city and we want everyone to come down to experience just how great the restaurants are here,” said Kurt Weigle, Chief Downtown Officer for GSL. “Downtown Restaurant Week not only showcases some of the best restaurants in the metro, but also shows everyone the work being done to make Downtown safe, vibrant, and beautiful.”
Changing of the Guard: TRANSCOM Commander Van Ovost Retires
U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin visited the St. Louis metro this week for a changing of leadership ceremony at Scott Air Force Base in the Metro East. The ceremony honored the retirement of General Jacqueline Van Ovost, commander of U.S. Transportation Command headquartered at SAFB. “Wherever you see American forces, she said, “Transcom not only put them there, but provides that continuous sustainment so that we can maintain continuous operations.” General Randall Reed will take over the role.
Fortune: London, Pennington Among the World’s Most Powerful Women
Two of St. Louis’ top executives are at the top of their game globally. Sarah London, CEO of Centene, and Penny Pennington, Managing Partner of Edward Jones — both executive-level members of the GSL Chair’s Council — have been named to Fortune’s 2024 Most Powerful Women list.
Forbes: WWT’s Steward Ranks in Top 100 Wealthiest in U.S.
David Steward, Founder and Chairman of St. Louis-based World Wide Technology and a GSL board member, has become one of the 100 richest people in America, according to the 2024 Forbes 400 — making him also the wealthiest Black person in America.
Meet some of the inspiring leaders, entrepreneurs, and community change makers helping to make the St. Louis metro area a more equitable and inclusive place.
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