Regional Growth & Economic Development

Background

Economic growth in St. Louis City and North St. Louis County depends on investment in infrastructure, workforce development, small businesses, transportation, and neighborhood revitalization. Many communities in Missouri’s First District continue to face barriers tied to disinvestment, aging infrastructure, job access gaps, and rising costs of living. Congressman Bell believes economic development should create opportunities for working families while strengthening local businesses, improving public infrastructure, and attracting long-term investment to the region.

Congressman Bell’s Position

Congressman Bell supports policies that:

• Expand workforce development and job training opportunities
• Increase federal investment in St. Louis infrastructure
• Support small businesses and entrepreneurship
• Improve transportation and logistics systems
• Reduce household energy and utility costs
• Revitalize historically underserved neighborhoods
• Strengthen partnerships between federal, state, and local governments

Legislative Actions

• Introduced the Home Energy Relief Act to lower home energy costs and improve access to federal rebate programs for working families and older homes  
• Secured more than $12 million in Community Project Funding for infrastructure, workforce development, public safety, and neighborhood revitalization projects across Missouri’s First District  
• Supported federal investments in transportation, disaster recovery, and economic resilience initiatives
• Advocated for accountable federal spending and transparent disaster recovery funding

Key Facts & Statistics

• St. Louis remains a major Midwest logistics and transportation hub
• Many neighborhoods in North St. Louis continue to experience high poverty and underinvestment
• Energy costs and housing burdens remain major concerns for working families