“The St. Louis regional economy is essentially on two divergent paths — some metrics indicate that it has a well-diversified and resilient economy with a highly skilled workforce, higher-than-average income levels, and a burgeoning innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem,” the report says. “On the other hand, certain parts of the region suffer from segregation, extreme poverty and income inequality offering limited paths to upward mobility.”

The plan calls for investing in infrastructure and real estate, especially “catalytic” projects in the poorer neighborhoods of north St. Louis and north St. Louis County.

Continued support of entrepreneurship activities through programs that finance new business creation and encourage young people to start businesses is also emphasized. And to attract and retain the talent essential for the 21st century economy, the plan stresses developing quality-of-life amenities such as trails and promoting denser, walkable neighborhoods.

Strategies include adding more zoning overlay districts encouraging development near public transit; expanding bridges and other infrastructure to develop the region’s logistics industry; and giving small businesses growing out of startup incubators the same type of assistance with site selection and expansion incentives that large businesses receive.

Copies are available at the St. Louis Economic Development Partnership offices at 7733 Forsyth Blvd., Suite 2300. Comments on the plan may be submitted via email to info@stlpartnership.com, with CEDS in the Subject Line, and by mail or in person (7733 Forsyth Blvd., Suite 2300, St. Louis, MO 63105.

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