The Metro East Advantage: Why High-Growth Industries Should Pick the Illinois Side of St. Louis

  • Illinois Economic Development Corporation
The Metro East Advantage: Why High-Growth Industries Should Pick the Illinois Side of St. Louis

Webinar

In 2026, midwestern site selection and business expansion are undergoing a massive paradigm shift. Outdated regional perceptions are being systematically dismantled by an undeniable economic reality: the Illinois side of the St. Louis MSA has rapidly accelerated into a premier, top-tier destination for advanced industries. This exclusive webinar, anchored by our upcoming comprehensive white paper, uncovers the structural, technical, and financial forces driving unprecedented market momentum in the Metro East.

Led by Deputy Governor Andy Manar and a panel of regional infrastructure, academic, and supply chain authorities, the session will dive deep into the area's growth in emerging markets like R&D and Scientific & Technical Services. Discover how this high-tech surge is explicitly powered by a robust advanced manufacturing landscape, multi-modal logistics connectivity, and localized talent pipelines. Learn how specialized university partnerships, utility grid innovations, and superior cost-effectiveness converge to deliver maximum ROI for C-suite decision-makers.

What you'll learn and why you should attend:

  1. The R&D Acceleration: Inside the data showing a nearly 10% YoY growth in local R&D and scientific consulting, and how it directly benefits advanced industry investors.
  2. The Intermodal Multiplier: Strategies to leverage the "Ag Coast of America"—the highest-capacity, lock-free inland port corridor on the Mississippi River.
  3. Next-Gen Talent Acquisition: How regional academic anchors like SIUE align specialized tech, vocational, and engineering pipelines directly with modern industry needs.
  4. The Power & Site Advantage: A transparent look at utility infrastructure reliability, green energy strategies, and shovel-ready land cost-effectiveness on the Illinois side.

Speakers

  1. Scott Bekker Webinar Moderator Future B2B

  2. Andy Manar

    Deputy Governor of Illinois (Guest Panel Moderator / Strategic Conversation Leader)
  3. Denise Cobb Provost, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
  4. Bill Cox Executive Vice President, AISIN World Corp. of America
  5. Mary Lamie EVP of Multi-Modal Enterprises, St. Louis Regional Freightway
  6. Patrick Smith Chairman and President, Ameren Illinois