Big things are coming to The Ville neighborhood 🎉 Yesterday, the Northside Youth and Senior Service Center broke ground on what will become a new ~16,000-square-foot facility. 🏗️ Supported by an investment from SLDC’s North City Grant Program and other organizations, this transformative project will roughly double the center’s service capacity, including expanded meal programs, intergenerational programming and youth-focused services. The new facility will also serve as a hub for North St. Louis, providing flexible community gathering space for events, partner organizations and emergency response efforts. Investments like these help strengthen neighborhoods, support community wellness and contribute to a more vibrant city. SLDC is proud to be part of this effort and looks forward to seeing the impact of the new center. 📰 Read more in the @stlouisbiz: bizjournals.com/stlouis/news…

Have you heard the latest homeownership news in St. Louis? 🏡 SLDC has reopened HomeSTL, a homebuyer assistance program helping first-time buyers purchase a home in the City of St. Louis. With up to $50,000 available through a no-interest, forgivable loan, the program is helping open doors for residents while supporting stronger neighborhoods. Individuals impacted by the May 2025 tornado are also encouraged to apply. “If we can start building density pocket by pocket, we’re on a path to building a stronger market for the City of St. Louis and some of these long, historically disinvested neighborhoods,” said Deion Broxton, SLDC's Vice President of Communications & Public Affairs. ❓ Funding is available on a first-come, first-served basis. To get started, applicants should contact an SLDC-approved lender. 🔗 Watch the @KMOV story and learn more about HomeSTL: firstalert4.com/2026/05/27/s…

Master the process of pricing projects for maximum profitability & competitiveness at the 3-part Bidding & Estimating Academy, starting 16. Business owners & contractors will learn a structured, repeatable process to create professional bids & estimates. Register: ow.ly/wst250YYpQH

Creating opportunities for the next generation helps build St. Louis. 🛠️ SLDC is proud to partner with Construction Forum's upcoming "Yeah I Built That! Hands-On Construction Showcase", introducing middle and high school students and young adults to possible careers across the construction industry. Attendees will get a closer look at the machines, technology and skills shaping St. Louis’ built environment, exploring careers that support neighborhood reinvestment, infrastructure and development. Youth groups and exhibitors are invited to sign up and be part of the experience. 👇 📅 Wednesday, June 24 | 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. 📌 William J. Harrison Center | 3140 Cass Ave. 🔗 Sign up by Monday, June 15: constructforstl.org/yibt-han…

⚠️ The next 21-day bid window for Prop NS properties is now open through Thursday, June 25 at noon. Prop NS helps transform vacant residential properties into homes and neighborhood assets by stabilizing, securing and preparing buildings for redevelopment. Whether you're an experienced developer or a rehabber with the resources to complete a project, this is an opportunity to invest in St. Louis neighborhoods and bring vacant properties back to life. Interested in submitting an offer? Learn more about the buying and rehabilitation process in our Prop NS FAQ: ow.ly/FHjJ50Z7HzT

📢➡️ North St. Louis business owners and entrepreneurs: Connect directly with the people who can help your business thrive. 💼 Hosted by SLDC’s Neighborhood Transformation Team, the North St. Louis Business Collective brings city departments, service providers and community partners together at the Northside Economic Empowerment Center (NEEC). At the March event, attendees received guidance on certifications, taxes, insurance, compliance, financing options and city services. That one-stop-shop experience returns Thursday, June 11, with practical information for businesses looking to launch, strengthen or sustain their work in North St. Louis. ⬇️ 📅 Thursday, June 11 | 4 to 6 p.m. 📌 NEEC | 3140 Cass Ave. 📸 Bring your business cards for a chance to win one of 10 free professional headshots 🔗 Register by Sunday, June 7: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F…

A year after the May 2025 tornado, SLDC continues working with City and community partners to support coordinated, long-term economic recovery. SLDC Tornado Recovery Project Manager Russell Halliday recently spoke with St. Louis Magazine on how that work is moving from strategy to execution. This includes preparing vacant lots for future development, supporting existing and proposed projects, and helping align investment along key corridors in North St. Louis neighborhoods. 🔗Read the full story: stlmag.com/business/sldc-lon…

A historic community center is one step closer to a new life. Thanks to funding from the North St. Louis Small Business and Non-Profit Grant Program, the George Washington Carver House—with support from Sigma Legacy Foundation, the charitable arm of Phi Beta Sigma fraternity—is moving towards restoring the north half of the building into a community gathering space. Read more from @stlpublicradio: ow.ly/gAJN50Z4WPT

SLDC President and CEO Stephen Westbrooks recently shared his perspective on the ongoing conversation around development in St. Louis, following a recent story by the @stlouisbiz. In his post, Stephen discussed the importance of creating a development environment that is both more predictable and more inclusive — with stronger communication, clearer processes and accountability that support long-term outcomes for the city. Visit Stephen's LinkedIn to read the full post and find the St. Louis Business Journal article below. 📝 ow.ly/F3VM50Z4ITH 🔗 ow.ly/inPT50Z4ITG

ATTENTION BUSINESS OWNERS & CONTRACTORS who want to master the process of pricing projects for maximum profitability & competitiveness. Join the 3-part Bidding & Estimating Academy on 6/16 to learn a structured, repeatable process to accurately calculate costs, assess risks & create professional bids & estimates. Register: ow.ly/eWQM50YYpv7

Today, we remember and honor everyone who gave their lives in service to our country.

The NEEC, BAC and SLDC will be closed on Monday, May 25, for Memorial Day. Regular business hours will resume on Tuesday, May 26.

Downtown St. Louis is getting a refresh! SLDC, in coalition with @GreaterSTLInc and @STLcid, remains committed to beautifying downtown using Disney-inspired strategies to enhance the experience for residents and visitors. "What's key for us is that people walk away with a positive experience of our downtown," said Howard Hayes, SLDC's Business Development Specialist. Improvements include painting boards and buildings, cleaning around the Railway Exchange Building, pressure washing sidewalks and refreshing highly visible areas. Find more details on the initiative below. 📹 @FOX2now: fox2now.com/news/missouri/st… 📹 @KSDKnews: ksdk.com/article/news/local/…

SLDC has released a training video to help educate the public on the requirements and policies governing redevelopment agreements at both the state and city levels. Topics include tax increment financing (TIF), development proposal procedures and more. developstlouis.org/news-medi…

“At its core, SLDC’s work is about catalyzing thoughtful development and economic growth across the city." - SLDC President and CEO Stephen Westbrooks. 🎤 This morning, Stephen joined @KMOX’s Megan Lynch to discuss how SLDC is helping move St. Louis forward through strategic partnerships and investment tools. With Stephen at the helm, priorities include fostering stronger coordination across City departments, creating a more efficient process for developers and businesses and leveraging tax credits and incentives. He also highlighted how recent legislation tied to innovation districts and historic tax credits can help attract investment and support redevelopment in the region. 🎥 Watch the interview beginning at 2:42:00: youtube.com/live/apBHvZlOXb0…

Residents are invited to join the Recovery Office of the City of St. Louis (@STLCityGov) for a Tornado Recovery Community Meeting and Resource Fair tomorrow, Tuesday, May 19. As recovery efforts continue across North St. Louis following the May 2025 tornado, these meetings remain an important space for residents to ask questions, access resources, receive guidance and stay informed about work happening in their neighborhoods.

Revitalization in Dutchtown continues through strong neighborhood partnerships. 🏘️ SLDC proudly supports @DutchtownSTL as they work to reactivate vacant properties, connect developers to opportunities and help bring new housing and investment to the neighborhood. Over the past three years, Dutchtown Main Streets’ efforts have helped move nearly 40 occupied housing units into the development pipeline. Now, the organization is once again bringing together developers, contractors and community partners for Develop Dutchtown — a networking event focused on development tools, incentives and opportunities that can help move projects forward. Topics will include updates on vacancy abatement efforts, information on historic tax credits, tax abatement options through SLDC, shovel-ready projects and ways to stay connected with development opportunities in Dutchtown. 📅 Tuesday, May 19 | 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. 📌 Intertwine Wine Bar | 4710 Virginia Ave.

The 3-part Bidding & Estimating Academy starts on June 16. An essential program for business owners & contractors who want to master the process of pricing projects for maximum profitability & competitiveness, participants will move beyond guesswork to learn a structured, repeatable process to accurately calculate costs, assess risks & create professional bids & estimates. Details & Registration: ow.ly/Am9V50YYpfY