St. Louis Economic Development News
May 2026
LATEST STL PARTNERSHIP NEWS
Boeing Announces $1 Million Grant for Kinloch
Grant will support ongoing cleanup efforts
On Friday, May 8th, The Boeing Co. (Boeing) announced a $1 million grant to support ongoing cleanup efforts in Kinloch, Missouri. The announcement was made at a check presentation ceremony at a park in Kinloch where previous cleanup efforts have been made.
The grant will go towards paying for cleanup of approximately 300 tons and 100 acres of trash and debris in the city, as well as covering landfill costs. It originated from the philanthropic and community investment arm of Boeing, Boeing Global Engagement.
Boeing has not only made financial contributions but has also put in manual labor with the use of over 300 volunteers participating in various cleanups in 2025 and 2026. The most recent one, an Earth Day event on April 25, resulted in over 7 tons of debris being removed from the heart of Kinloch.
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Pivot Bio Hosts Ribbon Cutting for Expansion of Hazelwood Facility
Agtech company investing more than $7 million, creating 40 new jobs
Pivot Bio, one of the world’s leading agtech companies, hosted a ribbon cutting on April 28 for its expansion of its Center of Excellence in Hazelwood, Mo. The expansion, which includes the relocation of its Manufacturing and Innovation Center of Excellence to the St. Louis region, will bring a $7 million investment from Pivot Bio and is anticipated to create 40 new jobs.
Featured speakers at the ribbon cutting were Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe, Missouri Department of Economic Development Director Michelle Hataway, Missouri Department of Agriculture Director Chris Chinn, 39 North Executive Director Emily Lohse-Busch, Pivot Bio CEO Chris Abbott and Hazelwood City Manager David Leezer. Chris Turner, chief commercial officer for Pivot Bio, served as master of ceremonies.
Pivot Bio’s Research, Development and Innovation Center in Creve Coeur, Mo., located within the 39 North AgTech Innovation District, was also celebrated at the event.
The company’s Greater St. Louis Center of Excellence is expected to bring together its research and development hub in Creve Coeur with its expanding manufacturing, packaging, distribution and customer support operations in Hazelwood. Read More
Nowak featured in Nine PBS Special on Flight in St. Louis
Flight Check highlights the past, present and future of flight in St. Louis
Flight Check, a 30-minute special on the past, present and future of flight in St. Louis, debuted on Nine PBS on May 18. Tim Nowak, executive director of World Trade Center St. Louis, was among the speakers featured on the show.
The program provided an overview of how much aviation history, innovation and industry has shaped the St. Louis region and how aviation can help St. Louis can become a stronger business and leisure destination in the future.
On the broadcast, Nowak discussed the economic and business opportunities that can come from flights to and from St. Louis, highlighting St. Louis’ nonstop international flights to Frankfurt, Germany and London.
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Sierra Op-ed Piece Highlights International Talent Pool in St. Louis
St. Louis Business Journal publishes op-ed from Mosaic Project executive director
Suzanne Sierra, executive director of the St. Louis Mosaic Project, recently wrote an op-ed piece about the importance of companies hiring from the international talent pool in St. Louis that was published by the St. Louis Business Journal.
Due to employee retirements, many St. Louis and U.S. companies are finding challenges in filling specialized roles, such as engineers and researchers. With international students and professionals representing one of the most underutilized talent pools in today’s hiring landscape, it may be time for companies to start considering foreign born talent, especially in St. Louis.
That is one of the reasons the Mosaic project launched the International Hiring Challenge.
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Archer Participates in Panel Discussion at Commercial Summit
Panelists discussed regional economic development, competitive positioning
The St. Louis REALTORS ® hosted their 2026 Commercial Summit on April 22. The annual event, which took place at the Charles F. Knight Executive Conference Center at Washington University, featured a group of speakers who provided insights on the trends in financing and capital markets, public safety and commercial confidence, Missouri income tax and legislative updates, as well as a variety of other topics.
During the discussion to commercial real estate agents and members of the Missouri Growth Association, Archer shared the importance of posting information on the real estate database Commercial Data Platforms and how regional partners worked together on the Boeing $1.8 billion expansion project in North St. Louis County.
PARTNER UPDATES
Saint Louis County Becomes First in Missouri to Launch Innovative Child Care WAGE$ Pilot Program
3-year initiative invests directly in early childhood educators to boost retention
Saint Louis County joined Child Care Aware of Missouri to announce the launch of the Child Care WAGE$ pilot program to provide early childhood educators supplemental salary to boost retention and economic stability for the community.
Using $5.9 million of pandemic relief funding and administered by the St. Louis County Children’s Service Fund, this three-year initiative is designed to
invest directly in the professional growth of the early childhood workforce.
The WAGE$ program provides compensation directly tied to an educator’s level of education and their commitment to remaining employed at the same childcare center. The more they learn, and the longer they stay to provide stability for kids, the more compensation they receive.
For 26 years, Child Care Aware of Missouri has administered the T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood Missouri Scholarship to help educators access higher education without taking on overwhelming student debt. But education is only half the battle. The WAGE$ program makes sure these educators can afford to stay in the profession they love. For more information about the Child Care WAGE$ Missouri pilot program, please visit:
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IN THE NEWS
St. Louis Business Journal: Rodney Crim shares importance of cleaning up Kinloch
Nine PBS: Tim Nowak discusses the benefits of international flights for St. Louis
St. Louis Business Journal: Suzanne Sierra authors op-ed about the importance of hiring international talent