Amazon commits $10B to data center campus 

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Amazon commits $10B to data center campus 

Amazon plans to invest $10 billion in a data center campus in Montgomery County, increasing the project’s projected cost by $2 billion. 

The company said the development will create more than 400 permanent jobs and thousands of construction jobs. Amazon also announced more than $7 million in community investments and said it will pay the costs of connecting the campus to Ameren Missouri’s electric grid. 

The project is one of two massive data center developments planned for the county, alongside a proposed $15 billion Google campus.

Lambert security officers ratify 1st union contract

More than 100 security officers at St. Louis Lambert International Airport have approved their first union contract, securing wage protections, seniority-based raises and expanded paid leave.

The agreement covers 111 GardaWorld employees represented by Service Employees International Union Local 1 and runs through April 2029. 

The contract also establishes a “just cause” standard for discipline and a grievance process for disputes. Union leaders said the deal is intended to improve retention and stability among workers responsible for airport security screening and traffic operations.

Wellston industrial site slated for redevelopment

A 28-acre industrial property in Wellston is slated for redevelopment into a business park focused on manufacturing and logistics, local officials announced.

The former Wellston Industrial Park, at 1335 Ogden Ave., is owned by the Land Clearance for Redevelopment Authority of St. Louis County and will be purchased and redeveloped by THO Investments LLC. Officials said the site could support as much as 300,000 square feet of industrial development.

The project is part of Wellston’s 2023 Empower Wellston Community Plan, which calls for housing, economic development and reinvestment in historically disinvested areas.

Officials said construction is expected to take about 36 months once work begins. The site is near the Wellston MetroLink station and other community amenities.

MetroTix, United Way launch donation program

MetroTix customers can now make donations to United Way of Greater St. Louis while purchasing tickets under a new partnership announced by the two organizations.

The program allows ticket buyers to add donations of $1, $5 or $10 at checkout. Funds will support United Way programs and services across its 16-county region in Missouri and Illinois.

United Way said it supports more than 150 nonprofit organizations and assists more than 1 million people annually through funding, volunteer initiatives and its 211 referral service. Officials said the partnership is intended to create an additional avenue for charitable giving through arts and entertainment events.

Illinois launches grants for volunteer food pantries

Small, volunteer-run food pantries, soup kitchens and similar nonprofits in Illinois can apply for grants of up to $5,000 under a new hunger-relief program announced by the state treasurer’s office.

The Charitable Trust Hunger Relief Grant program is aimed at organizations with no full-time employees that previously were ineligible for the state’s Charitable Trust Program. Applications are due July 31.

The program comes as food-assistance providers face increased demand amid rising costs and reductions in some federal food programs. According to Feeding America, 1 in 8 Illinois residents and 1 in 6 children in the state experience hunger.Amazon plans to invest $10 billion in a data center campus in Montgomery County, increasing the project’s projected cost by $2 billion. 

The company said the development will create more than 400 permanent jobs and thousands of construction jobs. Amazon also announced more than $7 million in community investments and said it will pay the costs of connecting the campus to Ameren Missouri’s electric grid. 

The project is one of two massive data center developments planned for the county, alongside a proposed $15 billion Google campus.

Lambert security officers ratify 1st union contract

More than 100 security officers at St. Louis Lambert International Airport have approved their first union contract, securing wage protections, seniority-based raises and expanded paid leave.

The agreement covers 111 GardaWorld employees represented by Service Employees International Union Local 1 and runs through April 2029. 

The contract also establishes a “just cause” standard for discipline and a grievance process for disputes. Union leaders said the deal is intended to improve retention and stability among workers responsible for airport security screening and traffic operations.

Wellston industrial site slated for redevelopment

A 28-acre industrial property in Wellston is slated for redevelopment into a business park focused on manufacturing and logistics, local officials announced.

The former Wellston Industrial Park, at 1335 Ogden Ave., is owned by the Land Clearance for Redevelopment Authority of St. Louis County and will be purchased and redeveloped by THO Investments LLC. Officials said the site could support as much as 300,000 square feet of industrial development.

The project is part of Wellston’s 2023 Empower Wellston Community Plan, which calls for housing, economic development and reinvestment in historically disinvested areas.

Officials said construction is expected to take about 36 months once work begins. The site is near the Wellston MetroLink station and other community amenities.

MetroTix, United Way launch donation program

MetroTix customers can now make donations to United Way of Greater St. Louis while purchasing tickets under a new partnership announced by the two organizations.

The program allows ticket buyers to add donations of $1, $5 or $10 at checkout. Funds will support United Way programs and services across its 16-county region in Missouri and Illinois.

United Way said it supports more than 150 nonprofit organizations and assists more than 1 million people annually through funding, volunteer initiatives and its 211 referral service. Officials said the partnership is intended to create an additional avenue for charitable giving through arts and entertainment events.

Illinois launches grants for volunteer food pantries

Small, volunteer-run food pantries, soup kitchens and similar nonprofits in Illinois can apply for grants of up to $5,000 under a new hunger-relief program announced by the state treasurer’s office.

The Charitable Trust Hunger Relief Grant program is aimed at organizations with no full-time employees that previously were ineligible for the state’s Charitable Trust Program. Applications are due July 31.

The program comes as food-assistance providers face increased demand amid rising costs and reductions in some federal food programs. According to Feeding America, 1 in 8 Illinois residents and 1 in 6 children in the state experience hunger.

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