The 5 Year St. Louis BRE Report

5

YEAR

REPORT

2020 - 2025

When we launched the Business Retention and Expansion (BRE) program in 2020 alongside our invaluable partners, we were guided by a clear and shared vision: creating true one‑stop access for St. Louis businesses. Our mission was to serve as a trusted connector, linking companies with the government and economic development resources that help them grow.

Over the past five years, we have worked to streamline referrals to workforce, export, supply‑chain, and site‑readiness teams, helping businesses accelerate their growth and navigate challenges with confidence. No matter a company’s size or stage, we have been committed to coordinating strategic infrastructure and service solutions that strengthen the St. Louis business ecosystem as a whole.

As we look ahead, we are proud to share this five‑year report. Inside, you will find the story of our BRE program, including the development of our international BRE efforts, as well as key successes, survey insights from the partners we have served, and a preview of the priorities guiding our work into 2026 and beyond.

We remain dedicated to building a region where every business, large or small, has the resources, connections, and support it needs to thrive. Thank you for your partnership and collaboration as we continue working together to strengthen the St. Louis region for the future.

The BRE Business Outreach Team is launched

SLEDP forms the St. Louis Business Retention & Expansion (BRE) Initiative

BRE International Team is formed

St. Louis BRE wins IEDC Excellence in Economic Development Award for Kindeva Project

In 2020, the St. Louis Economic Development Partnership (STL Partnership), in collaboration with its affiliate, World Trade Center St. Louis, began hearing a consistent mes sage from businesses across the region: there was confusion about where to turn for guidance when considering expansion or relocation. Companies wanted clarity, coordination, and a more seamless way to engage with the region’s economic development ecosystem.

STL Partnership partnered with St. Louis Development Corporation (SLDC) to identify the key organizations that needed to be at the table to solve this problem. This collaboration of diverse regional partners launched a new Business Retention and Expansion Program, which has since grown into an award winning model for regional economic development.

Objectives:

BUSINESS RETENTION & EXPANSION

Engage Become Identify Solve

regional companies

an active partner new investments retention issues

Linking St. Louis companies with government and economic development officials ensures business owners, leaders, and entrepreneurs know who to contact regarding opportunities or challenges.

235 TOTAL BRE MEETINGS

Location:

121 92 22 in County in City in Both

Kindeva, formerly Meridian Medical Technology, is a St. Louis company that manufactures medical devices for patients with serious health conditions. They are led by an environmental, social and governance approach.

$544 Million projected lost income

if Kindeva relocated

In 2021, an investment firm acquired Kindeva. The change in leadership created uncertainty. Many St. Louis leaders worried about potential relocation and the loss of hundreds of high quality jobs for the region.

Through coordinated outreach and executive level engagement, the BRE team helped build strong relationships with the company’s new leadership. They eliminated communication confusion and expedited solutions. Their diligence reinforced St. Louis’ commitment to Kindeva’s success.

This cohesive effort from the BRE Committee resulted in a $100 million expansion, a new 155,000 square foot facility, and workforce growth from 750 to 900 employees.

16%

Workforce Growth

The BRE Committee’s work illustrates how a coordinated and persistent approach can safeguard critical jobs and support major reinvestment in the St. Louis region.

From potential business loss to major expansion

Zeiss Medical Technology, founded 180 years ago, is a global leader in the optics and optoelectronics industries. Based in Germany, Zeiss employs 6,600 individuals globally in nearly 50 countries.

In 2022, Zeiss representatives contacted WTC STL about its acquisition of Kogent and Katalyst Surgical. This was immediately recognized as an opportunity to elevate the relationship with Zeiss on a global scale while supporting its entry into the St. Louis market.

Aligned Action Key Relationships Early Outreach

Within days, the BRE Committee organized a meeting with Zeiss executives and regional partners. Soon after, they coordinated an introduction with former Missouri Governor, Mike Parson.

33% EMPLOYMENT INCREASE

The BRE team’s proactive engagement and strategic coordination led to a large workforce expansion and new investments in St. Louis, including a modern research and production facility in Chesterfield.

This partnership with Zeiss majorly impacted the BRE Committee’s structure and led to the development of the International Business Retention and Expansion program. The partnership also demonstrated that St. Louis is an ideal location for companies to expand globally.

Proactive Engagement Leads to Investment & Expansion

BREI

In 2022, under the leadership of World Trade Center St. Louis, BRE International (BREI) was launched as a subset of the larger Business Retention & Expansion program. St. Louis manufacturing and service exports exceed $15 billion, supporting more than 90,000 local jobs. The BREI team of local, state and federal export partners work with regional companies looking to expand their sales in international markets, including product promotion, reducing trade barriers, market research, and global advocacy.

94,900 regional jobs supported by exports

BRE International Leaders:

2,758 Companies exporting from St. Louis

BREI also supports the more than 300 foreign owned companies with investments in the St. Louis region. According to Washington D.C. based Global Business Alliance, the vast majority of foreign investment (FDI) originates from the existing investor base through expansions, or mergers with and acquisitions of U.S. companies. Effective FDI aftercare strategies have been integrated within BRE to streamline communications, integrate global executives and their families, and align support services to be global.

Cocoon is a Thermasi company based in St. Clair, Missouri. It developed the first thermal mass furnace for residential and commercial use, an efficient and sustainable alternative to traditional systems. With its innovative product, Cocoon soon began attracting global interest. Realizing the opportunity to increase Cocoon’s global readiness, the BRE International team stepped in, ready to support the next phase of growth.

Local Innovation + BREI = Global Market

The BREI team immediately met with Cocoon leadership and identified opportunities to increase visibility and connect internationally. By fostering relationships with global programmatic leaders and increasing exposure to domestic audiences, the BREI’s coordinated outreach and hands on support expedited Cocoon’s growth.

This progressive effort led to not only regional recognition, but also new relationships across the globe where its technology offers strong potential. This year, Cocoon is traveling with Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe to Italy as part of a trade delegation, showing the continued momentum that results from a supportive partnership with BREI.

From local innovation to international markets, Cocoon is a shining example of BREI’s impact on international connections and market expansion.

Responses concentrated in core city ZIP Codes like Central West End, The Hill, Shaw, Benton Park, Marine Villa, Soulard, and Clayton.

Disclaimer:

WORKFORCE CHALLENGES

Skills & candidate supply dominate the responses

Cost/pay misalignment “pay expectations” and reliability “no-shows” rounding out top challenges.

“Other” keyword insights show a level of economic uncertainty, local conditions, and soft skills/professionalism gaps

Skills gap / talent shortage: 39%

Low number of candidates: 36%

Other: 29%

Pay expectations too high: 28%

Competition for talent: 20%

Candidate no show: 20%

Inadequate soft skills: 17%

60% Businesses rate the business climate as neutral to positive 55% Businesses optimistic about their success next year

TOP ADVANTAGES OF ST. LOUIS

Values represent the number of times each theme was mentioned

INDUSTRY TRENDS

Supply chain & sourcing shifts: 46%

Significant regulatory changes: 38%

Enhanced collaboration tools: 29%

Other: 20%

Emphasis on cybersecurity: 17%

“Other” text keyword themes: none, changes, tariffs, inflation, and staffing

Supply chain volatility and regulatory shifts = strongest trend pressures

Collaboration tools and cybersecurity = lower, but notable

SUPPORTING INFRASTRUCTURE

Neutral

Unsupportive

Supportive

Views on if public infrastructure supports businesses are mixed

COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGES

• Low cost: “centralized location along with lower cost of living…”, “Cost efficient and location.”

• Central location: “Midwest region… rich talent and very little competition.”, “St Louis is in a central location… airport getting more international flights…”

• Community support: “supportive ecosystem for focused businesses.”, “Efforts to support industry through one window support platform.”

• Logistics: “Proximity to major highways and airport”, “Lambert airport… international flights… helpful.”

• Talent/workforce: “Hard to attract and retain workforce…”, “Rich talent and very little competition.”

Silver Award

BRE EXCELLENCE

International Economic Development Council

KINDEVA - 2023

OLGA Award OUTSTANDING

LOCAL GOVERNMENT

East-West Gateway Council of Governments

2024 Exemplary Collaboration, Partnership, or Regional Initiative

Bronze Award

BRE EXCELLENCE

International Economic Development Council

ZEISS - 2024

BREI Award

BREI AWARD OF EXCELLENCE

Business Retention & Expansion International

Multi-Community Over 100,000 - 2026

LOOKING FORWARD

As we enter our sixth year, we are energized by the momentum of what has grown into an award‑winning regional program. The BRE Committee remains dedicated to helping St. Louis companies thrive, and we are committed to carrying this progress into 2026 and beyond.

In the years ahead, the BRE Committee will continue to serve as a trusted resource for business growth in the region. Our team will guide companies to the public programs, capital partners, exporting assistance, and supplier networks that support expansion here in St. Louis. We will also help local employers strengthen their resilience by coordinating infrastructure solutions that contribute to a more innovative and competitive business ecosystem.

This work is strengthened by our International BRE program, which now allows us to support globally engaged companies with the same level of coordination and care. Together, the BRE and International BRE teams will ensure that businesses of any size can access customized training, apprenticeships, and recruitment pipelines that align workforce needs with both near‑term opportunities and long‑term planning.

We look forward to building on this foundation and helping even more companies grow, invest, and succeed in 2026.