Chamber News

As part of its initiative to strengthen the region’s local business districts and corridors of commerce, Greater St. Louis, Inc. today visited Waterloo, Illinois, to hear directly from business owners and local leaders about how the regional initiative can provide support. “The STL 2030 Jobs Plan calls for the development of this initiative to strengthen and grow local centers of business across the metro,” said Jason Hall, CEO of Greater St. Louis, Inc. “Revitalizing and supporting these key business districts while maintaining the distinct character that makes them so special will help stabilize local communities, revive small businesses, and create new jobs.” The STL 2030 Jobs Plan noted that areas like Main & Mill Streets in Waterloo are not just hubs of local business activity, but that in many local communities, they also act as centers of civic life. “We are committed to regional growth and believe that the small businesses in the heart of Waterloo are an important part of the region’s future,” said Chris Herrmann, Executive Director of the Waterloo Chamber of Commerce. “We are excited about our ongoing discussions with Greater St. Louis, Inc. about how to strengthen our local businesses here in Waterloo and across the metro.” After touring businesses along Waterloo’s Main and Mill Streets – including Coming Home and Bountiful Blossoms – Hall, Herrmann, and State Representative David Friess held a roundtable discussion at the Waterloo Chamber of Commerce to learn what is working and what challenges local businesses face.  “We appreciate the elected leaders and business owners who came out today to share their thoughts with us about how to strengthen their community. It’s great to see how people and businesses in Waterloo support one another and the larger community,” added Hall. “We’d like to take some of what we learned today and use that knowledge to help other communities across the St. Louis metro.”