🌟 Building on the success of SLDC's July Small Business Grant Sprint, we're bringing the program back on Tuesday, Nov. 10 with a new funding opportunity! 🔗 Space is limited for the next Grant Sprint, and RSVP is required! Register here: https://forms.gle/JgzcDJMs4J2MNA8RA

SLDC Small Business Grants Sprint RSVP: Tuesday, November 10, 2026

Tuesday, November 10 | 5:00-7:00 pm at the Northside Economic Empowerment Center (NEEC), 3140 Cass Ave., St. Louis, MO 63106 St. Louis Development Corporation (SLDC) invites for-profit, women-owned businesses to participate in a Grant Sprint focused on the Boundless Futures Foundation’s EmpowHer Grant, an external funding opportunity offering eligible applicants grants of up to $50,000. Please note that space for the SLDC Grant Sprint is limited. RSVPs will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. Grant Eligibility: Applicants must be female founders age 22 or older with a...

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T. Christopher Peoples joins SLDC as Vice President of Place-Based Initiatives! https://www.developstlouis.org/news-media/sldc-welcomes-t-christopher-peoples-as-vice-president-of-place-based-initiatives-leading-neighborhood-revitalization-corridor-development-and-small-business-support-in-st-louis

SLDC Hires T. Christopher Peoples as Vice President — St. Louis Development Corporation (SLDC)

SLDC welcomes T. Christopher Peoples as Vice President of Place-Based Initiatives, leading neighborhood revitalization, corridor development and small business support in St. Louis.

developstlouis.org

🌱 Join the Green City Coalition, Throwing and Growing Foundation, and Sundy Whiteside Memorial Garden this Saturday, Oct. 24, to celebrate a year of community progress. 🌼 RSVP here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeUQZLmzlJpgkGVzjcab1eZqu6AKJa6Mt5W_UbZ3qjw7fM1Dw/viewform

SLDC and ConnectSTL invite you to attend the "Community, Culture & Impact Celebration" to explore what's next for digital access and opportunity. Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/connectstl-community-culture-impact-celebration-tickets-2002715489942?aff=oddtdtcreator

ConnectSTL Community, Culture & Impact Celebration

Hosted by St. Louis Development Corporation | ConnectSTL Celebrating Community. Connecting Opportunity. Building What’s Next.

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👏 Congratulations to Vivial Lopez, Business Services Specialist at SLDC's Northside Economic Empowerment Center, on being recognized as one of St. Louis Small Business Monthly’s 2026 Top Veterans in the Workplace! 🔗 https://sbmon.com/special-sections/st-louis-top-veterans-in-the-workplace/

St. Louis' Top Veterans in the Workplace

sbmon.com

SLDC is thrilled to be part of a collaboration with St. Louis-based organizations that has been named a finalist for a $25 million philanthropic Open Call by Capital One. Learn more: https://www.bizjournals.com/stlouis/news/2026/10/15/st-louis-capital-one-homeownership-grant-finalist.html

St. Louis coalition named finalist for $4.6M homeownership grant - St. Louis Business Journal

A coalition of St. Louis organizations is one step closer to winning a $4.6 million grant to put toward its plan to expand affordable housing and homeownership opportunities in north St. Louis.

bizjournals.com

This week, SLDC presented Project Connect’s OurPlan to the City of St. Louis Planning Commission, helping formalize a long-term vision for six North St. Louis neighborhoods. Read more: https://www.stlpr.org/government-politics-issues/2026-09-11/project-revitalize-north-st-louis-neighborhoods-nga

10 years later, project to revitalize north St. Louis neighborhoods by NGA takes shape

A long-awaited plan to revitalize six historically disinvested north St. Louis neighborhoods near the National Geospatial Agency’s new campus is moving forward. Will it work?

stlpr.org

Hear SLDC President and CEO Stephen Westbrooks on Fox 2 St. Louis discuss the 2026 Mayor’s Celebration of Businesses luncheon here: https://fox2now.com/news/missouri/mayors-celebration-of-business-to-highlight-new-investment-in-st-louis/ Reserve your seat: https://www.developstlouis.org/luncheon

A 100-year-old building has been reimagined as one of St. Louis’ most distinctive destinations: 21c Museum Hotel St. Louis. With support from SLDC, the $90m adaptive reuse development brings together hospitality, public art, local partnerships and community programming. 🔗 https://ow.ly/8Htv50ZLBoW

SLDC’s Support Helps 21c Museum Hotel St. Louis Bring New Life to Downtown West — St. Louis Development Corporation (SLDC)

‍In Downtown West, a historic building has been reimagined as one of St. Louis’ most distinctive destinations with support from the St. Louis Development Corporation (SLDC): 21c Museum Hotel St. Louis. ‍Housed in the historic former YMCA building on Locust Street that opened in 1926, the hotel uses

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HomeSTL funds reserved Aug. 31. SLDC is no longer accepting requests. Submitted requests are waitlisted; buyers must close by Sept. 30. https://www.ksdk.com/article/news/local/st-louis-first-time-homebuyer-program-helps-families-build-a-future-in-the-city/63-bf2c95c9-1cd4-4675-8f8a-659a487265ba

'This means everything to me': St. Louis first-time homebuyer program helps families build a future in the city

The HomeSTL program has seen strong demand since reopening in May, with the available funding now accounted for.

ksdk.com

ARPA funding has helped the St. Louis LRA tackle vacancy and accelerate property reuse work across the city. Learn more about ARPA funding’s impact in St. Louis: https://www.firstalert4.com/2026/08/22/first-alert-forward-how-arpa-funds-helped-speed-up-demolitions-abandoned-buildings-stl/

First Alert Forward: How ARPA funds helped speed up demolitions of abandoned buildings in STL

The city’s Land Reutilization Authority has used nearly $15 million in federal pandemic relief funds to accelerate the demolition of about 500 abandoned properties over the past 18 months.

firstalert4.com

SLDC and the Land Clearance for Redevelopment Authority (LCRA) are seeking qualified partners for two current opportunities. View current procurement opportunities and full RFP details: https://www.stlouis-mo.gov/government/departments/sldc/procurement/

Community Connectivity: To support downtown revitalization & digital inclusion goals, the City of St. Louis partnered with SmartWAVE Technologies to deploy a free public Wi-Fi network throughout key downtown areas & public parks. #ConnectSTL https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dg9zolZj5p4

📅September 1: How to Train Your Bookkeeper with Quickbooks at the #NEEC. Learn to understand cash flow, avoid bookkeeping mistakes & use reports to make decisions. Register: https://ow.ly/E3MC50ZAHp5

SLDC President and CEO Stephen Westbrooks joined St. Louis Magazine on “The 314 Podcast” for a conversation about our role in helping shape St. Louis’ economic future. 🎙️ Listen to the full conversation: https://www.stlmag.com/podcasts/314-podcast/episode-43/

The 314 Podcast: Stephen Westbrooks' Vision for Development in St. Louis | St. Louis Magazine

In this special bonus episode of The 314 Podcast, business editor Eric Schmid talks to Stephen Westbrooks, who recently took over as head of the St. Louis Development Corporation. The St. Louis native explains how he sees his job facilitating development by making it easy—and reducing the risk for people who might want to invest […]

stlmag.com

This week, developers broke ground on four affordable homes on an unused lot. The project shows how environmental cleanup, land reuse & public-private collaboration can turn underused property into new investments in St. Louis neighborhoods. 🎥 KMOV: https://ow.ly/LMHT50Zzzqx

On Wed., Aug. 26, neighborhood residents are invited to learn more about proposed plans, ask questions and share feedback at the next Project Connect Neighborhood Plan Public Review Open House. More information about Project Connect can be found at https://www.projectconnectstl.com/.

Project Connect Our Plan

Project Connect Our Plan's purpose is to support existing residents and encourage compatible new development by optimizing the impact of public investment.

projectconnectstl.com

Today, U.S. Rep. Wesley Bell joined the City of St. Louis to recognize federal funding secured, including the South Riverfront Redevelopment Project. The project will support a new trash transfer facility, create leasable space for the Port Authority & spur future economic activity.

Save A Lot y Más is celebrating its grand reopening on Cherokee Street, with an expanded selection of Hispanic and international grocery offerings. Read more in the St. Louis Business Journal: https://www.bizjournals.com/stlouis/news/2026/08/03/save-a-lot-y-mas-hispanic-shoppers-2nd-stl-store.html

Save A Lot concept targeting Hispanic shoppers adds 2nd St. Louis-area store - St. Louis Business Journal

The concept offers an expanded lineup of fresh Hispanic produce, specialty meats and bakery items, with Spanish used in store signage and marketing materials.

bizjournals.com

SLDC welcomes Dr. Gerard Hollins Jr. as its executive vice president of development! Gerard brings over 30 years of experience in real estate financing, development and management. When he begins his role, he will oversee the city's pipeline of real estate projects and business investments.

CertifySTL helps qualifying St. Louis businesses apply, update, renew and expand their M/WBE certifications. Submit renewal materials at sldc.gob2g.com. Read our latest blog to learn more: https://www.developstlouis.org/blog/how-to-renew-your-mwbe-certification-st-louis

🚨 Registration is open for the 2026 Mayor's Celebration of Businesses luncheon on Thursday, Oct. 1! The luncheon brings together business, civic & community leaders to recognize the companies, partnerships & investments helping make St. Louis work. Register & learn more: https://ow.ly/6hb750Zskcn

HEADSHOT HAPPY HOUR: Come to the #NEEC on 7/30 to upgrade your website & LinkedIn profile with a professional headshot. Stay for the Small Business Panel & networking. Admission is 100% free, but headshots are limited to the first 100 businesses. Register: https://ow.ly/nWHw50ZryaG

SLDC, alongside civic, business and philanthropic leaders, hosted The Kresge Foundation yesterday at the Northside Movement Center to discuss St. Louis' future and revitalization efforts. Read more: http://stlpr.org/government-politics-issues/2026-07-22/can-st-louis-mimic-detroit-renaissance

Detroit had a big renaissance. Could St. Louis do the same?

St. Louis leaders say unity can lead the city in the same direction as Detroit, a city that turned around declining population, mass vacancy and the largest municipal bankruptcy ever filed.

stlpr.org

The SLDC Board of Directors approved New Markets Tax Credits to support Chemline Inc.'s industrial manufacturing expansions and Habitat for Humanity St. Louis' construction of 40 new homes. https://www.bizjournals.com/stlouis/news/2026/07/16/sldc-new-markets-tax-credits-chemline-habitat.html

The Cherokee Street Community Improvement District (CID) is helping emerging businesses take the next step into storefront retail through the Cherokee Pulse Project. 🤝🏪 Businesses and property owners can find more information and apply at https://cherokeestreet.com/pulse.

Cherokee Pulse Project

Apply Now!

cherokeestreet.com

The Land Clearance for Redevelopment Authority (LCRA), staffed by SLDC, recently approved work on three major projects in St. Louis. Read more about the projects: https://www.bizjournals.com/stlouis/news/2026/06/16/lcra-monarch-cleveland-high-marshall-school.html

City board seeks $10.6M to stabilize three properties for redevelopment - St. Louis Business Journal

Most funding comes from American Rescue Plan Act dollars. The industrial site will house a food manufacturer and the Land Reutilization Authority's field crew.

bizjournals.com

🚨 Save the date for the 2026 Mayor's Celebration of Businesses on Thursday, October 1! 🔗 Find sponsorship information and event details: https://www.developstlouis.org/luncheon

Today on Juneteenth, SLDC honors the generations who have advanced the cause of freedom and reflects on the work that remains to create a more equitable future for all.

SLDC, NEEC and BAC will be closed on Friday, June 19, for Juneteenth. Regular business hours will resume on Monday, June 22.