Area executives tout high standards of St. Louis region

    ST. LOUIS — James Bullard, president and chief executive officer of the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, discussed living standards in American metropolitan areas as he gave the keynote address at the 2017 Bi-State Development Annual Meeting in St. Louis in October.
    Bullard, who is considered one of the most influential economists in the world, highlighted the importance of adjusting for price differences across metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs) when making comparisons, using regional price level data – also known as Regional Price Parities (RPPs).
    In all, 381 MSAs in the United States were studied, Bullard said. He noted that the St. Louis MSA ranked in the top 6 percent of these metropolitan areas. “Said differently, 94 percent of all MSAs have a lower standard of living than St. Louis,” said Bullard.
    Bullard also noted that of the top 10 MSAs in terms of RPP-adjusted real, per-capita personal income, some have a high cost of living while others have a low cost of living. “Just two cities in the top 10, St. Louis and Nashville, have a cost of living less than the national average,” he said. Bullard also noted this means considerably lower cost to operate a business in the St. Louis region when compared to some other cities in the top 10, such as those on the coasts.
    St. Louis Mayor Lyda Krewson spoke briefly about the unique potential of the St. Louis region, including its ranking as a top 10 city for millennials and start-ups, which is accelerating regional growth and development. She commended Bi-State Development for its ability to simultaneously stimulate development and tackle regional challenges.
    “Bi-State Development has the innate ability to bring people together and bring the whole region together on both sides of the Mississippi River,” Krewson said. “From its work with public transportation to the region’s freight economy, Bi-State Development has proven time after time to be a catalyst for economic growth and regional collaboration.” 
    The annual event celebrated regional successes and progress made over the past year, highlighting key partnerships, collaboration and innovation led by Bi-State Development’s five enterprises, which deliver reliable public transportation and promote tourism, aviation, freight and research.
    Bi-State Development President and Chief Executive Officer John Nations reported on the work of Bi-State Development and its five enterprises, to deliver private sector efficiencies with public sector accountability. Partnerships and collaboration were highlighted as key drivers of successful initiatives and ongoing progress over the past year.
    “The transformation of the Gateway Arch is nearly complete,” Nations said in regards to the most visited monument west of Washington, D.C. As part of a more than 50-year partnership with the National Park Service, Bi-State Development manages the operation of the Gateway Arch trams, and ticketing and marketing for the Gateway Arch. Nations noted that the project to transform the Gateway Arch grounds and enhance the visitor experience, which will be completed next year, will result in increased economic activity and opportunity.
    As part of its goal to look for innovative ways to serve the St. Louis region, Nations highlighted how the Bi-State Development Research Institute recently announced that a pilot food kiosk program, featuring markets at the North Hanley and Wellston Transit Centers in North St. Louis County, will be opening soon. He said the fresh food program is being supported by a nearly $584,000 grant from the Missouri Foundation for Health to address food deserts and better access to healthier food options. Nations also noted the Research Institute was awarded a grant of nearly $1 million from the Federal Transit Administration to address access to health screening resources with a mobile van that will begin serving transit riders at several Metro locations in North St. Louis County later in the coming months.
    Nations said the impact of St. Louis Downtown Airport is a critical component of the area’s economic development strategies and capabilities, as well as its immediate impact to the region’s job economy. “Working with our partners in St. Clair County and in Sauget and Cahokia, Illinois, the business park surrounding the airport has become one of the largest concentrations of private sector employment in St. Clair County,” he said.
    Nations pointed out that Metro Transit continues to be Bi-State Development’s largest and most impactful enterprise. He reinforced the cooperation and collaboration required to police the transit system as a focus moving forward. “We move nearly 41 million riders annually with efficiency and reliability,” Nations said. “Our highest priority is not just to move people, but to move them safely, and we look forward to having the policing of the system achieve the same industry leading results as the rest of our transit operations and a new era of partnership among our jurisdictions on this vital issue.” 
    Continuing the theme of partnership and collaboration, Nations said the St. Louis Regional Freightway has quickly positioned the area in a competitive national and global business environment by uniting the region with critical partners here and across the country. Nations pointed out the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with the Port of New Orleans in February to increase cooperation and marketing efforts. Public-private collaboration at the St. Louis Regional Freightway is credited with establishing the Merchants Rail Bridge as the number one freight and logistics infrastructure project for the region.
    The above recap was provided by Bi-State Development.