Ensuring tech innovation supports community priorities through the Midtown CBA.
As St. Louis positions itself as a potential hub for large-scale technology infrastructure, a critical conversation is unfolding in Midtown. The discussion centers on how to welcome innovation, like data centers, without sacrificing the interests of the community. For Midtown, the answer already exists: a robust and legally binding Community Benefit Agreement (CBA) that must serve as the primary guide for all new development.
Community leaders and local stakeholders are reinforcing that the Midtown Redevelopment Corporation’s CBA is not just a set of recommendations but an enforceable standard. This agreement was established as a core condition for any developer seeking tax incentives and project approvals within the Midtown redevelopment area. It ensures that major projects deliver tangible benefits to the people who live and work in the community.
A Contract with the Community
The Midtown CBA is a contractual commitment between developers and the community. It was designed to ensure that any new development, including the much-discussed data center proposals, provides measurable advantages while protecting neighborhood integrity. This framework should be the first and final word on any data center-related matters within Midtown. It’s a proven model for balancing economic growth with community well-being.
The agreement lays out several key requirements that any developer must meet. These aren’t suggestions; they are obligations tied directly to public support and incentives.
Key Pillars of the Midtown CBA
The strength of the CBA lies in its specific, actionable mandates. These requirements ensure that development serves the broader community, not just the developer’s bottom line.
Workforce & Inclusion Standards: The agreement requires developers to meet specific targets for hiring women- and minority-owned businesses for both construction and long-term operations. This fosters equitable economic opportunity and builds a more inclusive local economy.
Training and Career Pathways: Developers are obligated to fund and support pre-apprenticeship and workforce training programs. These initiatives are designed to prepare low-income and underrepresented residents for skilled careers in technology and construction, creating a direct pipeline from the community to the jobs being created.
Transparency and Oversight: The CBA mandates public reporting on a project’s compliance and progress. This process is overseen by a third party, and the retention of tax incentives is linked to meeting these goals. Open hearings ensure the community has a direct voice in evaluating a project’s performance.
Economic Development Commitments: Projects must create a significant number of new jobs. For instance, the Armory data center proposal promised up to 300 high-skilled positions. The CBA requires clear, publicly reported metrics on local hiring and an evaluation of the tax revenue benefits.
Utility and Ratepayer Protections: A crucial provision for data centers, which are heavy energy consumers, is that developers must pay for the new infrastructure their projects require. They are also obligated not to pass on increased utility costs to Midtown residents. Any deviation from this triggers a review and potential remedies through the CBA’s enforcement channels.
Active Community Engagement: The CBA guarantees residents the right to participate in all major hearings and reviews related to project incentives and compliance. This ensures that development aligns with the community’s vision and goals.
Setting the Gold Standard for Tech Development
The Midtown CBA provides a powerful model for how cities can manage the impact of high-tech projects. It champions transparency, diversity, and a real economic return for the community. It proves that technological advancement and community priorities can coexist and even strengthen one another.
No data center project in Midtown should be allowed to move forward or receive public incentives without demonstrating full compliance with the CBA’s requirements. This has been recognized by local ordinances and agreements, making it a foundational element of development in the area.
As St. Louis considers broader city-wide regulations for data centers, it has a proven and enforceable roadmap in the Midtown CBA. Upholding this agreement is essential for ensuring that future growth is not only smart and innovative but also equitable and just for all residents.
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