Brooklyn, Illinois, lands $2 million redevelopment boost
Business briefs Brooklyn, Illinois, lands $2 million redevelopment boost Brooklyn, Illinois, will receive $2 million in federal Community Project Funding to help transform “The Skating Rink” along historic Route 66 into a multipurpose community space, U.S. Rep. Nikki Budzinski announced. Budzinski secured the funding through the fiscal year 2026 appropriations process. Founded by Priscilla “Mother” […] The post Brooklyn, Illinois, lands $2 million redevelopment boost appeared first on St. Louis American.
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Brooklyn, Illinois, lands $2 million redevelopment boost
Brooklyn, Illinois, will receive $2 million in federal Community Project Funding to help transform “The Skating Rink” along historic Route 66 into a multipurpose community space, U.S. Rep. Nikki Budzinski announced.
Budzinski secured the funding through the fiscal year 2026 appropriations process. Founded by Priscilla “Mother” Baltimore in 1829, Brooklyn is recognized as the nation’s first predominantly Black incorporated town and a historic freedom village.
Local leaders said the project is intended to help revitalize the community and create new opportunities for residents in the long-overlooked Metro East town.
St. Louis adds jobs in March, metro still lags
The St. Louis metro area added 2,300 jobs in March, reaching 1,424,600 total nonfarm jobs, according to Missouri’s latest employment report.
Construction led monthly gains with 5,200 new jobs, while leisure and hospitality added 4,900. Despite the increase, regional employment remained down 5,700 jobs, or 0.4%, from March 2025. Professional and business services posted continued annual losses.
Statewide, Missouri lost 3,200 jobs in March, though the unemployment rate held steady at 3.9%. The data reflects short-term growth in construction and hospitality but ongoing longer-term weakness in service and white-collar sectors.
St. Louis rally to spotlight workers’ rights
A coalition of labor, immigrant justice and community organizations will host a “No Work, No School, No Shopping” rally and march for International Workers’ Day at 5:30 p.m. Friday, May 1, at Aloe Plaza in downtown St. Louis.
Organizers say the event will call for economic fairness, immigrant protections and expanded democratic power for working people. Participating groups include labor unions, student organizations and racial justice advocates.
Event organizers said the demonstration is intended as a public stand against rising authoritarianism and policies they say harm workers and vulnerable communities.
Bi-State seeks public opinion on bus route selection
St. Louis officials and Bi-State Development will seek public feedback next week on two remaining options for a new Bus Rapid Transit route before choosing a final plan. Open houses are scheduled from 5 to 7 p.m. May 5 at RUNG for Women, 2717 Sidney Street, and May 6 at the Polish Heritage Center, 1413 North 20th Street. A virtual meeting is set for 7 p.m. May 7. Leaders said the proposed transit line is intended to improve faster, more reliable service, with community input helping shape which route advances.
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