St. Louis Citywide Strategy to Create and Retain Jobs Focus of Upcoming Public Open Houses

ST. LOUIS, MO- The St. Louis Development Corporation (SLDC) and the City of St. Louis is undergoing an effort to create and retain jobs, support existing businesses and create economic opportunity for all St. Louisans. The project, called the St. Louis Economic Development Strategy, will create a data-driven and community-developed framework to guide investment and policy decisions by SLDC, the City, and its public, private, and institutional partners. The goal is to position St. Louis on a path toward a more equitable and robust economy. SLDC is hosting two open houses on Tuesday, July 23 and Wednesday, July 24 from 4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. featuring food, drinks, music, and childcare to learn more about how City residents, business owners and employees can find, create and retain jobs in the City. The open houses are the same each night and attendees and their families are welcome to stop by anytime.

Tuesday, July 23, 2019 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. Vashon High School
3035 Cass Avenue
St. Louis, MO 63106

Wednesday, July 24, 2019 4:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Sheet Metal Workers Union No. 36
2319 Chouteau Avenue
St. Louis, MO 63103

Attendees will learn about the City’s job and economic assets, growing industries and ways to support economic growth. The Strategy team also wants to know what barriers both residents and business owners face in finding, keeping and recruiting jobs in the City. Such barriers can include transportation access, education level, skilled training, permitting processes and other factors. The open houses are part of a large public engagement effort that includes advisory committee meetings, stakeholder interviews, and business roundtables.

“We have certain tools in our City toolbox at our disposal that we can use to help grow the city’s economy such as tax incentives, land use zoning, infrastructure, permitting and business support programs,” says Otis Williams, SLDC Executive Director. “City partners provide other assets: public transit, education and training, financial lending, venture capital and many other resources. The Strategy will provide us with the framework to 1) better understand all of these City assets and 2) give us a step-by-step framework on how we can work together to grow jobs, grow our population and help stabilize and revitalize more City neighborhoods.”

The Strategy is about leveraging the City’s assets and being smarter and more effective about economic development, especially in neighborhoods for residents that have historically faced disinvestment,” said Williams.

To find out more, visit stleconomicdevelopmentstrategy.com. The Strategy is scheduled to be completed In Fall 2019.

About the St. Louis Development Corporation (SLDC)

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