What We Do

St. Louis County Port Authority

The St. Louis County Port Authority is governed by a seven-member Board of Commissioners who were appointed by the St. Louis County Executive and confirmed by a majority of the St. Louis County Council.

Business Retention & Expansion

Linking St. Louis companies with government and economic development officials ensures business owners, leaders, and entrepreneurs know who to contact regarding opportunities or challenges. Communication between government and industry is an essential part of business growth. The economic development community of St. Louis links companies with resources, networks, and solutions.

Brownfield Remediation Funding

STL Partnership and LCRA were awarded EPA grants to help clean eligible brownfield sites in St. Louis County.
  • Brownfield Assessment Grant funds may be used to assess properties for environmental contamination
  • Brownfield Revolving Loan Fund (BRLF) may be used for to cleanup properties that have been identified as brownfields

SBDC

The Missouri Small Business Development Centers (SBDC) help businesses in every stage. From concept to startup, growth to renewal, mature to succession. Business specialists are here to help you succeed at every stage in your business’ lifecycle.

Opportunity Zones

Established by Congress in the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, the Opportunity Zone program is a new economic development tool that encourages long-term private investment in distressed urban and rural communities nationwide.

Workforce Development

The St. Louis Economic Development Partnership is taking an active role in the workforce space by being a convener, connector and collaborator, as well as a place to consolidate workforce information and data; all to ensure access to workforce opportunity and resources for everyone.

Global Connections

With the World Trade Center St. Louis and St. Louis Mosaic Project staff’s global connections, your company can grow and effectively compete on a global stage.  Our World Trade Center is part of an extensive global association with more than 300 similar organizations. Its overall goals are to enhance international trade, promote local economic development and foster peace and stability through trade.

Incentives

Our business development division provides a broad range of resources and customized services to help with a company's move to, or expansion in, St. Louis. Therefore, we can help secure a variety of incentives for your business needs. Whether the company is in the initial planning stages of relocating or guiding its established business through challenges or growth, local and state incentives are available.

STL Partnership Business Incubators

Due to our STL Partnership Business Incubators, the St. Louis region is thriving as a renowned startup scene. With a network of four facilities, known as the STL Partnership Business Incubators, across the St. Louis region, we have a space to help any startup grow. Additionally, our Helix Center Biotech Incubator, pictured above, specializes in AgTech and Biomedical startups. Our other business incubators have concentrations in manufacturing, food production and tech.

Loans

Because our finance tools are as unique and innovative as the businesses they serve, we can help. We offer competitive pricing, convenience and flexible terms. Therefore, our financing options include loans and bonds, and can be used in combination with tax credit programs or grants. Whatever your company needs, our professional staff can assist you in determining which method of financing will best help you pursue your business growth plans.

New Markets Tax Credits

The Heartland Regional Investment Fund provides financing to projects in distressed communities through the federal New Markets Tax Credits program. While the fund serves St. Charles and St. Louis County in Missouri, it is also available to Bond, Madison and St. Clair counties in Illinois.

Real Estate

Our real estate and community investment team works to return abandoned, contaminated and underutilized sites to productive use.  Our focus is on stabilizing and energizing communities throughout the St. Louis region by providing project management support and technical assistance for both area municipalities and developers.