St. Louis, MO – After a recommendation from St. Louis Mayor Tishaura O. Jones, the Board of Directors of St. Louis Development Corporation announced the election of Neal Richardson as the new Executive Director for SLDC. 

Richardson comes to SLDC from U.S. Bank with over fourteen years of experience in economic/community development and real estate finance.  He is presently the Director of U.S. Bank’s Director of Business Impact Group, and previously held positions at U.S. Bank as Head of Financial Education Strategy, Assistant Director of the New Market/Historic Tax Credit Asset Management, and financial analyst in the Community Development Compliance department.  He also serves as president and co-founder of Dream Builders 4 Equity, which focuses on decreasing vacancy, increasing home values, mitigating displacement risks and enhancing job opportunities and wages for residents.  He obtained his B.S.B.A. and M.B.A. at Webster University.

Richardson has spent 10 years at US Bank in an ascending series of responsibilities, from negotiating and underwriting complex tax credit investments to leading financial education strategy. In his current role as Director of the Business Impact Group, Richardson led a team focused on closing economic gaps and creating equitable access to capital for women, people of color and those in disinvested communities. 

Richardson’s organization, Dream Builders 4 Equity hires minority contractors and students to rehabilitate derelict North City properties. Youth participants earn a living wage and journal about their experiences over the summer, after which it is published and sold with students receiving profits. A percentage of the property’s sale is then given to students and placed towards college savings. The organization to date has served more than 65 students and contributed $350,000 in direct financial benefits to students through scholarships, employment and book sale proceeds, and provided home repair and landscaping support to over 50 seniors across the city.

Mayor Jones stated this about Richardson. “Neal Richardson understands that equitable development is more than just brick and mortar. From his time leading the Business Impact Group at US Bank to his work as President of Dream Builders 4 Equity, I know Neal will encourage forward-thinking, holistic development that opens up opportunities for families across our city.”

Richardson is a member of the FOCUS St. Louis Board of Directors, Artspace Board of Directors, and an advisory member in the development of the Equitable Economic Development Strategic Framework. He was the recipient of LaunchCode Dreamers award in 2020 and was named 40 Under 40 by the St. Louis Business Journal in 2019.

Please direct any inquiries for Mr. Richardson to John Parker, Director of Corporate Communications and Media at 314-657-3749 or email him at Parkerj@stlouis-mo.gov.

About: 

St. Louis Development Corporation (SLDC) is an umbrella, not-for-profit corporation organized under Chapter 355 of the Missouri State Statutes with the mission of fostering economic development and growth in the City of St. Louis by stimulating the market for private investment in City real estate and business development and improve the quality of life for everyone who lives in, works in, and visits the City.  The mission of the SLDC is to stimulate the market for private investment in City real estate and business development and improve the quality of life for everyone who lives in, works in, and visits the City of St. Louis. If there are questions, please contact John Parker, Director of Corporate Communications and Media at 314-363-1102 or email him at parkerj@stlouis-mo.gov.  
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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