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
  Businesses of Old North United
• Central West End Association
  The Central West End Association facilitates events and invests in infrastructure to facilitate promote the CWE 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
• Dogtown Business Merchants Association
  The DBMA primarily facilitates the development of the Clayton-Tamm commercial district by facilitating events and marketing the district.
• Downtown Dutchtown DT2 Business Association
  DT2 helps sharpen the competitiveness of existing business owners and recruit compatible new businesses and new economic uses to build a commercial district that responds to today’s consumers’ needs
• Forest Park South Business Association
  The Forest Park South Business Association is a membership organization created to advance the mutual interests of commercial establishments within the area bounded by Hampton Avenue on the west, 39th Street on the east, Forest Park Avenue on the north and Interstate 44 on the south.
• Hampton-Chippewa Business Association
  The Hampton Chippewa Business Association, Inc. is a not-for-profit corporation striving to maintain a strong, cohesive and viable business community.
• Lafayette Square Business Association
  The LSBA facilitates business development in the Lafayette Square Neighborhood by means of special events and investing in physical infrastructure in the neighborhood.
• Locust Business District
  The Locust Business District is a community improvement district that promotes business development in the 19th and 6th Wards through event promotion and investment in physical infrastructure and neighborhood security.
• Loop and East Loop Special Business Districts
  The Loop and East Loop SBDs are taxing entities that invest in infrastructure, assist new businesses and promote events to develop and enhance the Loop District.
• Macklind Business District
  Our Mission is to promote and maintain a prosperous business community along Macklind Avenue; to develop and provide and attractive commercial component to compliment the residential character of the area
• Nine District Police Business Association
  The Ninth District is a coalition of businesses and St. Louis Police created to foster 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
  ONSL promotes business and real estate development in the Old North St. Louis neighborhood
• Second District Police Business Association
  SDPBA facilitates business development in the second district by partnering with businesses and neighborhood stakeholders.
• Skinker DeBaliviere Community Council
  SCBD manages the Delmar Commercial Committee, which promotes business development in the Loop and DeBaliviere Place commercial districts.
• Soulard Business Association
  Many things draw people to Soulard. Soulard is a small town surrounded by Anheuser-Busch Brewery and the historic Soulard Market. There are many active businesses, including several restaurants, bars, and entertainment venues.
• South Broadway Merchants' Association
  Our organization strives to improve the overall business climate in the Carondelet neighborhood of St. Louis, Missouri.
• South Grand Community Improvement District
  The eclectic area between Arsenal and Utah is a hub of the of St. Louis International Community.
• 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 Community Improvement District is a taxing entity that promotes events and invests in infrastructure and security on the Manchester strip.
• The Hill Business Association
  The Hill includes some of the finest Italian restaurants in the country as well as many shopping and entertainment venues.
• Tower Grove Business Association
  To promote and maintain a prosperous business community near Tower Grove Park that provides an attractive commercial component to compliment the residential character of the area.
• Watson Business District
  The Watson Business District invests in projects to market and beautify the district.