Show-Me State Times

Regional leaders from innovation centers and economic development organizations in St. Louis have issued a call to prioritize building infrastructure that supports the region’s data-driven economy. In a joint statement, they emphasized the need for investment in facilities such as data centers to ensure inclusive growth and meet community needs.

The leaders’ message comes as discussions about innovation infrastructure gain momentum in St. Louis. They highlighted the recent approach announced by Mayor Cara Spencer, which has also received backing from members of the Board of Aldermen. According to their statement: “This approach recognizes the critical role developing this infrastructure will play in our growth as a region as well as the fact that individual projects should be judged on their own merits. Furthermore, in recognizing how essential data centers and other large-scale facilities are to supporting future growth and demand, this approach must also recognize the impact this critical infrastructure could have on energy supply, land availability, and the environment.”

The op-ed was co-authored by Dustin Allison (Greater St. Louis, Inc.), GabeAngieri (Arch Grants), Karen Branding (Regional Business Council), Emily Hemingway (TechSTL), Elliott Kellner (Taylor Geospatial Institute), Emily Lohse-Busch (39 North Agtech Innovation District), Gabe Lozano (LaunchCode), Mark Munsell (GeoFutures), Stephanie Regagnon (Yield Lab Institute), Donn Rubin (BioSTL), and Jesse Winters (T-REX).

They concluded: “We believe in St. Louis. We believe in its people, its ideas, and its potential. Now, we must also believe in building the future here, so the next generation of opportunity takes root in our city, not somewhere else.”