Greater St. Louis, Inc. – The Organization Working Behind the Scenes to Grow Our Region

When a major corporate headquarters announces an expansion…when a manufacturer selects St. Louis for a new facility…or when a billion-dollar development project breaks ground, have you ever wondered who helped make it happen? Well, let me tell you!

More often than not, Greater St. Louis, Inc. (GSL) has been involved long before the first architect sketches a concept or the first excavator arrives on site.

As the St. Louis region’s economic development organization, GSL works every day to attract new investment, support existing businesses, and strengthen our regional economy. Their efforts may not always make the front page, but they create opportunities that ripple throughout the design and construction industry.

Who is Greater St. Louis, Inc.?

Greater St. Louis, Inc. was formed in 2021 through the merger of five major civic and economic organizations, creating one unified voice for business growth across the bi-state metropolitan region.

Their mission is straightforward:

To drive inclusive economic growth and position the St. Louis region as one of the nation’s most competitive places to live, work, and invest.

Rather than focusing on a single industry, GSL works across advanced manufacturing, healthcare, geospatial technology, aerospace, financial services, agriculture, life sciences, logistics, and emerging technologies—all sectors that rely heavily on design and construction.

What Does GSL Actually Do?

Many people hear “economic development” but aren’t quite sure what that means.

Think of GSL as one of the region’s lead business recruiters and strategic planners.

Their work includes:

  • Recruiting companies to locate or expand in St. Louis
  • Supporting existing employers as they grow
  • Connecting businesses with workforce and education partners
  • Advocating for infrastructure and public policy improvements
  • Marketing the St. Louis region nationally and internationally
  • Producing research and economic data to support investment decisions
  • Convening business, civic, and government leaders around regional priorities

Simply put, GSL helps create the conditions that encourage companies to invest here.

Why Does This Matter to the Construction Industry?

Economic development and construction are inseparable.

Every successful business attraction effort eventually creates demand for:

  • New manufacturing facilities
  • Corporate offices
  • Healthcare campuses
  • Research laboratories
  • Distribution centers
  • Mixed-use developments
  • Infrastructure improvements
  • Housing and community amenities

For architects, engineers, contractors, suppliers, and owners, today’s economic development efforts often become tomorrow’s projects.

By helping companies choose St. Louis, GSL is also helping create future opportunities for our entire industry.

GSL and SLC3: Different Missions, Shared Goals

While Greater St. Louis, Inc. focuses on growing the regional economy, SLC3 focuses on improving how our industry collaborates to deliver projects.

Together, these missions complement one another.

As new businesses invest in our region, SLC3 members are often the professionals responsible for designing, engineering, constructing, supplying, and operating the facilities that support that growth.

Economic development creates opportunity. And we invite them every year to participate in our end of the year Economic Update and Forecast in December!

Collaboration ensures those opportunities become successful projects.

Did You Know?

Greater St. Louis, Inc…

  • Represents the entire bi-state metropolitan region. Yes, over the bridges!
  • Works with local governments, universities, utilities, and private industry.
  • Helps attract billions of dollars in private investment.
  • Supports business expansion across multiple industries.
  • Serves as one of the region’s leading advocates for economic competitiveness.

Why You Should Know GSL

Whether you’re an owner planning future capital projects, an architect pursuing new work, a contractor looking for market opportunities, or a supplier serving the construction community, understanding the organizations shaping our regional economy is an advantage.

Behind nearly every major announcement is years of relationship-building, planning, and collaboration.

Greater St. Louis, Inc. is one of the organizations helping write the next chapter of our region’s story—and, in many cases, creating the projects that our industry will help bring to life. Aren’t we so lucky to have them?

Author: Kelly Jackson, SLC3 Executive Director

Next Month’s “Know Your Industry” Feature: Construction Forum – The Voice Sharing the Stories of Our Industry.