Metro St. Louis Export Plan

A History Steeped in Immigration, Trade, and Innovation.

Early French pioneers established a trading post here as part of the profitable fur trade. in 1850, nearly half of all St. Louisans were born in either Ireland or Germany, which later led to the development of a thriving brewing industry and innovations such as refrigerated railroad cars and pasteurized bottled beer. Other influential groups that have contributed to the region’s development include Italians, African-Americans, Latin Americans, Asians, and Bosnians. Looking ahead, regional economic planners are taking action to ensure St. Louis continues its history of trade development, immigration attraction, and innovation advancement.