Small Business

Departments and Agencies

• St. Louis Development Corporation
  St. Louis Development Corporation is the economic development arm for the City of St. Louis, Missouri

Informational Pages

• Begin New Venture Center
  Begin New Venture Center offers business assistance to start-ups, early-stage companies, and non-profit organizations.
• Business Consortium Fund
  The Business Consortium Fund provides contract financing to certified minority businesses through a network of local participating banks and National Minority Supplier Development Council affiliates.
• Center for Emerging Technology
  Center for Emerging Technology supports technology driven economic development.
• Commercial District Program and Facade Program, Common Questions
  Frequently Asked Questions for Commercial District Program and Facade Program
• Enhanced Enterprise Zone
  Both the City and State offer tax incentives to businesses investing within certain areas of the City called the Enhanced Enterprise Zone.
• Grace Hill Women's Business Center
  Grace Hill Women's Business Center provides direct services to minority and women entrepreneurs.
• Justine Petersen Housing and Reinvestment Corporation
  Find a description of programs, services and contact information for Justine Petersen Housing and Reinvestment Corporation.
• LDC Commercial Loan
  The St. Louis Local Development Co. (LDC) has the ability to provide direct, low interest, subordinated loans for working capital, equipment purchase, land and building acquisition, and construction or leasehold improvements.
• Missouri Linked Deposit Program
  Missouri Linked Deposit Program is a state administered program that invests in approved banks that ultimately result in reduced interest passed on to Missouri small businesses.
• Missouri Quality Jobs
  Missouri Department of Economic Development-administered tax incentive program targeted towards technology, small business, and high impact businesses. Certain industries are excluded.
• Missouri Small Business Development Center
  Missouri Small Business Development Center delivers up-to-date counseling, training and technical assistance in all aspects of small business management.
• Real Estate Tax Abatement
  Tax abatement for real estate development in the City of St. Louis.
• Rebuilding Communities
  Rebuilding Communities Tax Act provides State tax incentives for eligible businesses which relocate or invest in a designated 'Rebuilding Community.' The entire City of St. Louis is eligible for this program.
• Resources for Missouri, Inc.
  Resources for Missouri, Inc. is an intermediary lender for the SBA's Micro Loan Program available to entrepreneurs operating existing or start-up businesses that have not been able to obtain traditional financing.
• SBA 504 Loan Program
  SBA 504 loans are geared toward healthy, expanding for-profit businesses seeking long term, low down-payment financing for major fixed assets. It cannot be used for working capital or inventory.
• SBA 7(a) Loan Guaranty Program
  SBA 7(a) Loan Guaranty Program enables lenders to provide financing to small businesses when funding is otherwise unavailable on reasonable terms.
• Small Loan Advantage Initiative
  SBA's Small Loan Advantage Initiative (SLA) lending is available to entrepreneurs that meet the normal requirements for an SBA business loan guaranty and have an average, or better, credit score and financing needs of $350,000, or less. Most commercial banks are able to make SBA-guaranteed loans, including the SLA and Standard 7(a) Loan Program and International Trade Loan. Contact a commercial loan officer at the bank of your choice for more information or call the SBA's St. Louis District Office at 314-539-6600 and ask for a lender relations specialist for more information.
• St. Louis Business Development Fund
  The St. Louis Business Development Fund is a risk lending pool for projects considered too risky for conventional financing. There is no company size or industry limit.
• St. Louis Enterprise Centers-Midtown
  St. Louis Enterprise Centers-Midtown is an affordable incubation center for local entrepreneurs.
• Urban Enterprise Loan
  Brief description and contact information for Urban Enterprise Loan

External Resources

• Businesses of Old North United
  Old North St. Louis is one of the city's oldest neighborhoods and is undergoing a rapid transformation with many new businesses and residents. The Businesses of Old North United is a community forum for businesses in Old North Saint Louis to exchange ideas and resources and seeks attract new businesses and retain existing businesses.
• Central West End Association
  The Central West End is a full-service, walkable neighborhood anchored by large institutions and universities, Forest Park and beautiful residential neighborhoods. The CWEA facilitates events and invests in infrastructure to promote and enhance the quality of life in the neighborhood.
• Chippewa-Broadway Business Association
  Founded in 1923, the CBBA has worked continuously to create and foster a friendly, cooperative spirit among both business and residency for the betterment of the Chippewa-Broadway-Jefferson area with youth empowerment programs, beautification initiatives and
• Dogtown Business Merchants Association
  Home of the St. Patrick's Day Parage, Dogtown is a unique neighborhood with restaurants, pubs and unique shopping venues. The DBMA primarily facilitates the development of the Clayton-Tamm commercial district by facilitating events and marketing the district.
• Downtown Dutchtown DT2 Business Association
  Dutchtown is a diverse and centrally located neighborhood with many eccletic shops and ethnic restaurants. DT2 helps sharpen the competitiveness of existing business owners and recruit compatible new businesses in Dutchtown.
• Forest Park South Business Association
  The Forest Park South Business Association encompasses the Forest Park Southeast and Central West End neighborhoods.The FPSA advances the mutual interests of commercial, institutional and industrial entities with event promotion and sponsorship, public infrastructure development and community planning endeavors.
• Hampton-Chippewa Business Association
  Hampton-Chippewa District is located in southwest St. Louis City and is surrounded by gingerbread style houses and close knit neighborhoods. The HCBA sponsors and hosts community events and reaches out to members through various networking opportunities.
• Lafayette Square Business Association
  Lafayette Square is an upscale shopping and dining district containing some of the city's most beautiful homes. The LSBA facilitates business development in the Lafayette Square Neighborhood by developing and promoting special events and investing in physical infrastructure.
• Locust Business District
  The Locust Business District is an emerging entertainment and loft district in Midtown. The LBD is a community improvement district that promotes business development in the 19th and 6th Wards with event promotion and investment in physical infrastructure and neighborhood security.
• Macklind Business District
  The Macklind Business District offers unique local services to the South Hampton community. The MBD promotes and maintains a prosperous business community along Macklind Avenue with events and beautification projects.
• Nine District Police Business Association
  The Ninth District is an alliance between businesses and St. Louis Police Department. It fosters cooperation and support for the 9th District police officers and their work of protecting citizens and businesses in the 9th District.
• Old North St. Louis Restoration Group
  Old North St. Louis is a diverse, up in coming neighborhood. ONSL promotes business and real estate development in the Old North St. Louis neighborhood.
• Second District Police Business Association
  SDPBA is a coalition of businesses and the St. Louis Police Department created to foster a safe environment for businesses and residents in the Second district.
• Skinker DeBaliviere Community Council
  Skinker-Debaliviere is a diverse residential neighborhood that contains the Loop Business District. SCBD manages the Delmar Commercial Committee, which promotes business development in the Loop and DeBaliviere Place.
• Soulard Business Association
  Soulard or "the Island" is St. Louis' oldest neighborhood and is the home of Mardis Gras; Soulard has many diverse shops, restaurants and bars. The Soulard Business Association supports and promotes the surrounding historic neighborhood through a variety of neighborhood and business events, public improvements and marketing campaigns.
• South Broadway Merchants' Association
  The Carondolet neighborhood has a diversity of businesses from small shops and bars to industrial plants. SBMA strives to improve the overall business climate in the Carondelet neighborhood by partnering with local government and residents to attract and retain businesses.
• South Grand Community Improvement District
  The South Grand District is a hub of the of St. Louis international community and offers a variety of ethnic restaurants, small shops and bars. The South Grand CID enhances the community by promoting safety, cleanliness, commercial tenant retention, and infrastructure improvements.
• St. Louis Small Business Monthly
  St. Louis Small Business Monthly is a monthly publication for small business owners
• The Grove Community Improvement District
  The Grove is a diverse and LGBT friendly entertainment district with the Forest Park Southeast Neighborhood. The Grove CID is a taxing entity that promotes events and invests in infrastructure and security on the Manchester strip.
• The Hill Business Association
  The Hill Business Association serves to promote the internationally known Italian neighborhood of St. Louis. The HBA sponsors events that attract visitors and in the process promotes the business community of the Hill.
• The Loop Special Business District
  The Loop is an dynamic, entertainment and shopping District connecting University City and the City of Saint Louis. The Loop SBDs are taxing entities that invest in infrastructure, facilitate business development and retention and promote events to develop and enhance the Loop District.
• Tower Grove Business Association
  Tower Grove South has a variety of unique retail shops, restaurants, and services and is located within the Tower Grove South neighborhood. The Tower Grove Business Association promotes the district with events and seeks to attract and retain businesses.
• Watson Business District
  The Watson Business District is anchored by the Lindenwood Park neighborhood and contains many unique shops, medical and service firms, schools, churches, and exceptional restaurants and bars. The Watson Business District is an emerging business association that invests in projects to market and beautify the district.

Downloadable Forms

• US Department of Labor Payroll Form
  Payrolls are required for Davis Bacon Projects.