THE FULL STORY
Under a more unified structure, Greater St. Louis, Inc. launched the 2030 Jobs Plan, prioritizing growth and the removal of barriers to opportunity. The STL 2030 Jobs Plan, designed as a living document, outlines five practical strategies to advance regional growth, while also highlighting priority industry clusters and emerging sectors poised for development.
Now, halfway through the timeline for the plan, the region has moved to 16th in national metro-area growth rankings, with recent data highlighting that it is the 7th-best U.S. metro for job growth.
High-profile projects like Boeing’s Strike Fire expansion and the $2B National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) campus have catalyzed job creation and attracted further investment.
Additionally, Washington University’s major neuroscience research center underscores the region’s emphasis on R&D and innovation.
St. Louis’s appeal stemmed from more than just incentive packages, which tend to serve as a final tipping point rather than the core decision driver. Instead, the region leveraged its existing assets – its talent pool and universities – and worked to realize untapped potential, with the broad promise that organizations would be part of transforming the community.
Ongoing investments in infrastructure, such as the $3B airport redevelopment and increased international flight options, aim to boost global connectivity. Public safety, particularly in downtown areas, emerged as another success story; homicide rates have dipped to their lowest in a decade, attributed to collaborative efforts among business leaders, law enforcement, and community groups.
Jason stressed that business leaders must engage in politics and community problem-solving beyond mere economic development.
Public-private partnerships, in particular, have proven critical for addressing issues like urban core revitalization and workforce development. Leaders in St. Louis realized that if they did not refocus and revitalize key neighborhoods and industries, the region risked further decline.
By “anchoring in the moment” and leveraging crisis to spark change, Greater St. Louis, Inc. exemplifies how an organized, collaborative approach can help metropolitan areas navigate rapidly changing economic landscapes and achieve long-term growth.
