SLDC is the independent economic development agency serving the City of St. Louis, Missouri. It is an action-oriented organization that exists to empower, develop and transform St. Louis through a vibrant, just and growing economy where all people can thrive.
Envisioning the future of St. Louis, which is shaped by investments made today, and reversing decades of disinvestment can only be done by Empowering Equitably, Developing Diversely and Transforming Transparently.
IN THE NEWS
Homebuyer Assistance Program for credit qualified first time homebuyers at or below 80% AMI purchasing a home in the City of St. Louis.
New Low-Interest Loans for Small Businesses & Non-Profits
New Low-Interest Loans to Help Contractors & Suppliers Mobilize for Large-Scale Projects
WHAT WE DO: FOUR AREAS
A multifaceted economic development organization, SLDC is charged with igniting investment that generates generational prosperity for all St. Louisans. We do this by focusing on four areas:
Minority & Small Business Empowerment: Creating an ecosystem to provide access to capital, training, resources and technical assistance.
Neighborhood & Community Transformation: Establishing more vibrant, affordable and livable neighborhoods in St. Louis.
Industry & Business Development: Strengthening business and industry through expansion, retention and attraction partnerships.
Real Estate Development: Stimulating private investment, activating land and buildings and stabilizing neighborhoods to bring City-owned property into effective use.
The Northside Economic Empowerment Center (NEEC) is now open in the Sumner High School Annex at 4248 Cottage Ave., St. Louis, MO 63113. Hours of operation are Monday – Friday from 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Anticipated to open in 2025 at 3940 Dr. Martin Luther King Drive in North City, The Monarch on MLK Campus for Economic Mobility will become a connection point for the community where small and minority-owned business support will convene alongside workforce development and training opportunities. Learn more.
Economic Justice Action Plan
SLDC’s organizational focus is on equitable and inclusive economic development for everyone in St. Louis — regardless of geography, socioeconomic status or race. The Economic Justice Action Plan will guide the unprecedented investment in marginalized communities in St. Louis — particularly North City.
2022 – 2023 Annual Report
Estimated impact of SLDC-supported projects in 2022
2,477 new jobs
$757 Million total project costs
1,372 new
residential units
427,950 new commercial square feet
LCRA Approved Redevelopment Plans in 2022
22 redevelopment plans approved
$590 Million estimated project costs
1,067 proposed jobs
Upon completion of construction on 2022 projects from the New Markets Tax Credit program
380 construction jobs
70 permanent jobs retained
265 new permanent jobs created
