STL Partnership Wins Silver Award for Kinloch Cleanup

IEDC provides award in Economic Equity & Inclusion category

On Oct. 26, St. Louis Economic Development Partnership (STL Partnership) received the silver award from the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) for its work with the Kinloch, Mo., cleanup in North St. Louis County. The award was given in the Economic Equity & Inclusion category of the 2026 Excellence in Economic Development Awards.

Located near St. Louis Lambert International Airport, Kinloch was the first Black city incorporated in Missouri. In the 1980s, Kinloch lost much of its property when the City of St. Louis began buying land for a noise abatement program tied to the airport’s expansion. This, along with other challenges, led to a severe decline in the city’s social and economic conditions. From 1980 to 2020, the population plummeted from 4,455 residents to just 263. During these years, Kinloch also became a site for illegal dumping, leaving tons of debris scattered across the community.

In response, a coalition of stakeholders came together, including STL Partnership, the City of Kinloch, St. Louis Lambert Airport, St. Louis County, St. Louis City, the Regional Business Council, the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis, the Boeing Company, PARIC Construction, elected officials, community members and others committed to addressing the crisis. More than 2.4 million pounds of trash and debris have been removed since the cleanup began in March 2025. That includes over 7,000 tires and more than 900 mattresses.

During the International Economic Development Council Annual Conference Excellence Awards reception at the Hyatt-Regency Hotel Downtown on Monday, October 26, 2026 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Peter Forest/Sipa USA)