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“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.”
Leaders of St. Louis’ innovation centers and economic development organizations have come together to declare that for our region to grow and increase opportunity for all, “we must build the infrastructure that supports the increasing amount of data upon which our current and future economy is being constructed.”
The leaders came together to add their voices to the discussion taking place in the region about innovation infrastructure, like data centers, and to ensure policymakers are making decisions based on the opportunity for inclusive growth and the needs of the community. They specifically noted the thoughtful approach announced recently by St. Louis Mayor Cara Spencer and supported by leaders in the Board of Aldermen.
“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.”
Co-authoring the op-ed, which was published in the St. Louis Business Journal, are: Dustin Allison, Greater St. Louis, Inc.; Gabe Angieri, 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.
The group added: “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.”