Tag: Data Center

STL City’s State Rep Murray Supports Data Centers

sweatshirt that says "COWARD"

March 19th, 2026, St. Louis City State Rep. Marty Joe Murray bravely *cough cough* sent a letter of neutrality (not really) on data centers to something called “the Zoning Committee” in Room 400 at City Hall.

He failed to cite the specific data center Conditional Use Permit before the City’s Zoning Section and Board of Public Service, a proposal for a hyperscale data center at the failed Armory redevelopment in Midtown.

The permit was applied for by Deadbeat Developer Phil Hulse, Greenstreet, who owes $3,095,346.08 in property taxes on the proposed data center site as well as Greenstreet’s headquarters (3660, 3728 & 3852 Market St., 500 Prospect & 4565 McRee).

Murray wrote, “Data centers are critical infrastructure for the modern economy. The question before us is not whether they should exist, but whether they will be built responsibly. We can welcome investment while still protecting the health, affordability, and stability of our neighborhoods.”

“I am not asking this committee to slow progress. I am asking that we guide it with intention. That we ensure the benefits are shared and the burdens are not unfairly imposed”

I have no idea how anyone reads those two paragraphs as other that support for data centers slathered in economic development bullshit but the City has his letter labeled as “neutral”.

The City’s bizarre Conditional Use Permit process involves a hearing before the Zoning Division followed by a vote of the Board of Public Service. Members of BPS are mayoral patronage cabinet level appointees who owe their jobs to Mayor Cara Spencer. BPS does not attend Zoning Division hearings.

The five hour Deadbeat Developer Data Center Hearing was held March 19th, same day as Murray’s letter is dated.

BPS will vote on the proposal at their Meeting at 1:45 pm Tuesday, March 31st. It is expected that they will rubberstamp the proposal.

As of 5 pm Monday, March 30th, no one has filed to run against Murray for the 78th District House seat. Tho I don’t know why anyone would. It’s a shitty time to be in the minority party in Missouri and Murray has lobbyist/PAC friends to fund his re-election campaign because he is a reliable vote.

Candidate filing for Missouri House and Senate occurs in Jefferson City. The Deadline for filing is 5 pm Tuesday, March 31st.

Page One, Letter from Stat Rep. Marty Joe Murray
Page two, letter from State Rep. Marty Joe Murray

This Week in Gardening & Nature

spinach seedling under grow lights

Plant of the Week: Spinach. Getting ready to both transplant and sow some seeds in my garden this week. With the unpredictable topsy-turvy weather in Missouri, already planning on covering these during Spring hot and cold extremes.

Plan your garden with  2026 Seed St. Louis Planting Calendar, good for Zones 6a, 6b, 7a, maybe more. This Week: Sow Indoors- tomato, tomatillo; Transplant outdoors- bok choy, cabbage, cauliflower, chard, collards, kale, lettuce, leeks, onions; Seed outdoors- arugula, beets, bok choy, carrots, chard, collards, kale, kohlrabi, lettuce, parsley, peas, radish, spinach, turnips

If you are just looking for St. Louis Area Plant and Seed Swaps and Sales, they are here. Added this week: Three Rivers Farm Plant Sales in Elsah IL, UCity in Bloom Sale, Kimmswick Visitor Center Daylily Sale, Garden Club Plant Sales in IL, Heartlands Conservancy Native Plant Sale in Swansea IL, Goldfarb Plant Growth Facility Plant Sale, St. Louis Dahlia Society Spring Tuber Exchange, more Plant/Seed Swaps at St. Louis County libraries

Sign up for Missouri Coalition for Environment Missouri Legislative Alerts

St. Louis Master Gardeners Horticulture Answer Service: Monday-Thursday from 9 am to 2:30 pm

Find a Native Plant/Seed vendor in Missouri, Illinois, Arkansas, Kansas… (Grow Native)

Good Reads, Views, Listens —

Gardening by Month: April Tips, Tasks, Problems (Missouri Botanical Garden)

8 native St. Louis trees to plant instead of stinky, invasive Callery pears (St. Louis Public Radio)

Rethinking Horticulture with Real Ecology (Wild Ones, YouTube)

Designing Gardens for Birds (Cornell Lab of Ornithology, YouTube)

Basics of Home Composting video (University of Illinois Extension)

Sedum: A durable, perennial pollinator. This drought-resistant succulent blooms after most garden flowers have faded. (University of Missouri Extension)

March Native Plant News (Wild Ones)

Deep Roots Kansas City Native Plant Gardening Videos

Seed St. Louis Videos: Variety Trials, Virtual Classes, Starting Seeds Indoors, Orchard Tips, Gardening Tips & How To, In the Community Garden, Youth Garden Activities & Tips, Teachers in the Garden Tutorials.

Growing Vegetables Advice: Begin with a Plan, Seed Starting, Soil Management, Weed Management, Hardening Off Indoor Seedlings, Season Extension, Supporting Plants, Pest Management, Fertilizing Your Garden, Irrigation, Garden Tool Care, Container Gardens, more (University of Illinois Extension)

Shaw Nature Reserve Propagation Guide

Free Native Garden Designs @ Wild Ones. There’s one specific to St. Louis, one for Chicago, one for Denver, …

Native plant gardening in a pot. Missouri Botanical Garden has container designs for sun and shade.

Illinois Native Plants for the Home Landscape

Missouri Native Plant Top 10 Lists (Grow Native) Native Plants for Children, Poorly Drained Clay Soil, Sun, Shade, Half Sun & Half Shade, Under Utility Poles, Rain Gardens, Kitchen Gardens, Bees, Pollinators in Winter, Hummingbirds, Wildlife, Butterflies, More

2023 Plants of Merit – Annuals, Bulbs, Edibles, Perennials, Shrubs, Trees, Vines (Missouri Botanical Garden)

2023 Plants of Demerit – Bamboo, Big Leaf Hydrangea, Blueberry, Burning Bush, Chameleon Plant, Lavender, Pin Oak, Wintercreeper (Missouri Botanical Garden)

Gardening and Nature Events —

—– ONGOING —–

Volunteers Wanted. STL Neighborhood Foresters Neighborhood Tree Care Blitzes
April 4th Hyde Park. Register
April 5th Forest Park Southeast. Register 
April 11th Benton Park West. Register
April 11th Tower Grove East. Register
April 15th Shaw. Register
April 18th Old North. Register
April 18th Benton Park. Register
April 19th Shaw. Register

Apply now for 2026 Forest ReLeaf Project CommuniTree Free Trees. 3-gallon trees and shrubs for public or nonprofit plantings by neighborhood associations, schools, Scouts, churches, cities, municipalities and other community groups in St. Louis area.

It’s a new year of fun and learning at St. Louis County Parks & Rec Children’s Garden Club

Going on Now: Missouri Conservation Annual Tree Seedling Sale. Orders ship out in April.

Now thru March 31st Sachs Butterfly House event in Chesterfield: Morpho Mania. Be surrounded by thousands of blue morpho butterflies. Fees apply

Now thru March 31st Missouri Botanical Garden exhibit at Sachs Museum, Missouri Botanical Garden: Smelling the Bouquet- Plants & Scents in the Garden. Garden Admission Free to St. Louis City and St. Louis County residents on Saturday and Wednesday mornings, otherwise Admission Fee applies.

Now thru April 16th Online Presale for May 2nd Heartlands Conservancy Native Plant Sale at Clinton Hills Conservation Park in Swansea, Illinois. Plant List. Trees and shrubs are by pre-order only.

Now thru April 16th. Register for April 21st Missouri Invasive Plant Council’s Callery Pear, Bradford Pear Buyback. Confirmed locations: Cape Girardeau, Columbia, Doniphan, Hannibal, Jefferson City, Joplin, Kansas City, Kirksville, Lebanon, Liberty, Moberly, Park Hills, Parkville, Riverside, Rolla, Sikeston, Springfield, St. Charles, St. Joseph, St. Louis, Warrensburg, and West Plains.

—– DAILY —–

Monday, March 30th, Deadline to order native plants, shrubs, trees from Missouri Wildflowers Nursery for pickup Saturday, April 4th, at Kirkwood Farmers Market

1 pm Monday, March 30th, Missouri Conservation Department Zoom Class: Snakes of Missouri. Register

6:30 pm Monday, March 30th, Missouri River Bird Observatory webinar: Naturalist Series- Grassland Birds with Dr. Alice Boyle of the University of Western Ontario. Register

6:30 pm Tuesday, March 31st Missouri Conservation Department webinar: Mushroom Hunting. Register

9 am Wednesday, April 1st, Bellefontaine Cemetery & Arboretum event: Spring Flowering Tree Walk with horticulturist. $5 donation suggested. Register

Volunteers Wanted. 9 am Thursday, April 2nd, Heartlands Conservancy Hobson Wildlife Reserve Stewardship Day near Collinsville IL. Register

Volunteers Wanted. 9-11:30 am Friday, April 3rd Tower Grove Park Arbor Day Tree Planting. Register

Noon Thursday, April 2nd, Missouri Conservation Department Zoom Class: Love Under Water. Learn about freshwater fish’s life cycles and reproduction. Register

9 am to 3 pm Friday-Saturday, April 3rd-4th Missouri Botanical Garden Arbor Day Missouri Arbor Day Tree Giveaway. Garden Admission Free until Noon on Saturdays and Wednesdays to St. Louis City and St. Louis County residents, except during MoBot special events, otherwise Garden Fee applies.

8 am to 4 pm Saturday, April 4th, Missouri Wildflowers Nursery returns to Kirkwood Farmers Market Order five days in advance for pick up at Market or purchase from what they bring.

9-11 am Saturday, April 4th, St. Louis Dahlia Society Spring Tuber Exchange at Commerce Bank Center for Science Education, 4651 Shaw

10 am to 4 pm Saturday, April 4th, Audubon Center at Riverlands Pop Up Native Plant Sale in West Alton MO. This isn’t on website but is on FB which I do not share links to. Prices range from $3.50-$40. Cash or Check Only. Green Thumb Nursery is vendor. Questions? Contact Tom at swt12greenthumb@gmail.com

10 am Saturday, April 4th, Bellefontaine Cemetery & Arboretum event: Spring Arboretum Trolley Tour with horticulturist. $5 donation suggested. Register

10 am Saturday, April 4th, Piasa Palisades Sierra Club Spring Ephemeral Hike at McCully Heritage Project, Kampsville, Calhoun County IL. Register

1:30 pm Saturday, April 4th, Grow Native! Bellefontaine Cemetery & Arboretum Wildwood Valley Spring Flowers Walking Tour with James Faupel, Director of Horticulture and Curator of Living Collections. Register

25 Seats remaining. 11 am Sunday, April 5th, Missouri Conservation Department event at Forest Park Hatchery: Trout Catch and Keep. Catch your limit and learn about cleaning and cooking your fish. Ages 16-64 requires a Fishing Permit and every age needs a Trout Stamp to harvest trout. Register

April 6th Deadline to order native plants, shrubs, trees from Missouri Wildflowers Nursery for pickup Saturday, April 11th, at Kirkwood Farmers Market

6 pm April 6th St. Louis Public Library Sustainability Series at Buder Library: Weeding Without Chemicals

Volunteers Wanted. 9 am April 7th The Nature Institute Restoration Workday: Native Species Removal, Godfrey IL. Register

1:30 pm April 7th University of Illinois Extension Four Seasons Gardening Webinar Series: Growing a Butterfly Garden- Illinois Butterflies and Their Host Plants. Register

6:30 pm April 7th University of Illinois Extension event at Salt Lick Point Land &Water Reserve, Valmeyer IL: Monrow County Wildflowers Walk. Register

7 pm April 7th Missouri Botanical Garden & St. Louis County Library author event at Clark Family Branch: David George Haskell’s “How Flowers Made Our World: The Story of Nature’s Revolutionaries”

12 Tickets remaining. 9 am April 8th Tower Grove Park Class: Tree Sucker Removal Training. Register

2 pm April 8th St. Louis County Library Zoom Class: Native Plant Initiative – Growing Equity, Resilience and Community. Register

4 pm April 8th Grow Native! Webinar: Ozark Ethnobotany with Shaw Nature Reserve. Learn about newly opened Ozark Ethnobotany Garden at Shaw Nature Reserve. Register

6 pm April 8th Missouri Conservation Department Zoom Class: Missouri Frogs & Toads. Register

7 pm April 8th Eastern Missouri Sierra Club event at Webster University: Data Centers in our Communities- What We Know, What’s at Stake, and What We Can Do. Register

Volunteers Wanted. 9 am April 9th Heartlands Conservancy Poag Sand Prairie Restoration Stewardship Day in Edwardsville IL. Register

For Kids Age 7 and under. 19 Tickets remaining. 10:30 am April 9th Missouri Conservation Department event at Tower Grove Park: You and Me under the Canopy- Pollinator Power! Register

2 pm April 9th St. Louis County Library event at Jamestown Bluffs Branch: Start Your Veggie Garden. Register

6 pm April 9th Seed St. Louis Zoom Class: The Summer Vegetable Garden. Learn how to plant and maintain healthy summer crops, what pests and diseases to look out for, easy summer vegetables, and quick-growing summer cover crops for empty beds. Register

8 Seats remaining. 6 pm April 9th Missouri Conservation Department class at Forest Park Hatchery: Fishing Lesson 1- Equipment, Casting, & Proper Fish Handling. This class is required prior to other fishing classes. Register

6:15 pm April 9th Wild Ones St. Charles Chapter Speaker at Spencer Road Library, St. Peters: Native Plants- Ephemerals, Late Winter and Early Spring in the Garden.

7 pm April 9th Heartlands Conservancy Frog Walk at Poag Sand Prairie, Edwardsville IL. Register

April 10th thru September 26 at Missouri Botanical Garden: Patterns in Nature: The Art of HYBYCOZO. This exhibit explores the connection between art, science, and nature through 21 intricately designed and interactive installations located throughout the Garden. Garden Admission Free until Noon on Saturdays and Wednesdays to St. Louis City and St. Louis County residents, except during MoBot special events, otherwise Garden Fee applies.

15 Tickets remaining. 9 am April 10th Missouri Conservation Department event at Rockwoods Reservation, Wildwood: Wildflower Walk with naturalist. 2-mile loop moderately steep. Register

5:30 pm April 10th Bellefontaine Cemetery and Arboretum event: Sips, Souls, and Strolls- Sundials and Streams. Beer, wine, light hors d’oeuvres. $15 donation suggested. Register

10 Tickets remaining. 6:45 pm April 10th Missouri Conservation Department event at Queeny Park, St. Louis County: Owl Prowl. Register

8 am to 4 pm April 11th Missouri Wildflowers Nursery at Kirkwood Farmers Market. Order five days in advance for pick up at Market or purchase from what they bring.

8 am April 11th St. Louis Audubon event at Jefferson Barracks: Beginner Bird Walk. Register

9 am April 11th Missouri Conservation Department Zoom Class: Learning to Hunt- Wild Edibles, presented by Bo Brown, foraging author and nature educator. Register

10 am April 11th Bellefontaine Cemetery & Arboretum event: Spring Arboretum Trolley Tour with horticulturist. $5 donation suggested. Register

11 am April 11th St. Charles County Library Seed & Plant Swap at Spencer Road Branch, St. Peters. Register.

17 Tickets remaining. 11:30 am April 11th Missouri Conservation Department event at Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center, Kirkwood: Spring Ephemeral Hike. 1.25 miles on Hickory Ridge trail, some inclines and declines. Register

Volunteers Wanted. 12:30-3 pm April 11th Forest ReLeaf O’Fallon Park Tree Planting. Register

10 Tickets remaining. 1 pm April 11th Missouri Conservation Department Zoom Class: Magical Ruby-Throated Hummingbirds. Register

27 Tickets remaining. Adults. 2 pm April 11th Missouri Conservation Department event at Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center, Kirkwood: Flowerpot Snakes- Who’s Slithering in Your Garden? Includes make & take mini air-dry clay snake sculpture. Register

7 pm April 11st Bellefontaine Cemetery & Arboretum and St. Louis Astronomical Society event: Star Party. Register

1-4:30 pm April 12th Missouri Coalition for the Environment hosts Wild & Scenic Film Festival in Columbia. Short films about our planet and the people working to protect it. Lineup includes Hyperscaled about the real cost of data centers and Wild Hope: Reclaiming Bear River about the  Northwestern Band of the Shoshone Nation purchasing their ancestral homeland. Fees.

11 Tickets remaining. 3 pm April 12th Missouri Conservation Department event at Tower Grove Park: Geocaching- Slither & Seek. Practice your snake ID skills. Register

April 13th Deadline to order native plants, shrubs, trees from Missouri Wildflowers Nursery for pickup Saturday, April 18th, at Kirkwood Farmers Market

18 Tickets remaining. 9 am April 14th Missouri Conservation Department event at Forest Park: Kennedy Forest Boardwalk Walk with naturalist. Register

9:30 am to 4 pm April 15th Missouri Sierra Club Lobby Day at State Capitol, Jefferson City

6 pm April 15th St. Louis Public Library Sustainability Series at Carpenter Library: Locally Sourced, Mindfully Made with HareandBearco. Floral art. Register

6 pm April 16th St. Louis County Library event at Florissant Valley Branch: Plant Swap. Register

18 Tickets remaining. 6 pm April 16th Missouri Conservation Department class at Forest Park Hatchery: Fishing Lesson 1- Equipment, Casting, & Proper Fish Handling. This class is a prerequisite for future fishing classes. Register

6 pm April 16th Seed St. Louis Zoom Class: Container Gardening. Register

For Kids ages 6 and older. 20 Tickets remaining. 6 pm April 17th Missouri Conservation Department Zoom Class: Box Turtle Portrait Painting. Register

7 am to 3 pm April 18th Veterans Free Fishing Day at Bennett Spring, near Lebanon, 3 hour drive from St. Louis or Kansas City.

8 am to 4 pm April 18th Missouri Wildflowers Nursery at Kirkwood Farmers Market. Order five days in advance for pick up at Market or purchase from what they bring.

Volunteers Wanted. 9 am April 18th Eastern Missouri Sierra Club Trail Maintenance at O’Fallon Park. Register

9 am to 1 pm April 18th Ellbee’s Gathering Spot 3rd Annual Plant Swap in Wentzville. Free Friendship Vine (Hyacinth Bean) seeds and drawing for Spring Baskets. Bring a Plant, Take a Plant.

10 am to 2 pm April 18th Missouri Prairie Foundation Native Plant Sale at World Bird Sanctuary, Valley Park, St. Louis County

10 am April 28th Seed St. Louis Spring Community Gardener Meet-Up at Wedge Community Garden, Tower Grove East. Registration implies consent for your photo to be taken for promotional use. Register

Volunteers wanted. 9 am April 19th Eastern Missouri Sierra Club Trail Maintenance at O’Fallon Park. Register

April 20th Deadline to order native plants, shrubs, trees from Missouri Wildflowers Nursery for pickup Saturday, April 25th, at Kirkwood Farmers Market

Register by April 16th for April 21, 2026, Missouri Invasive Plant Council Callery Pear, Bradford Pear Buyback. Confirmed locations: Cape Girardeau, Columbia, Doniphan, Hannibal, Jefferson City, Joplin, Kansas City, Kirksville, Lebanon, Liberty, Moberly, Park Hills, Parkville, Riverside, Rolla, Sikeston, Springfield, St. Charles, St. Joseph, St. Louis, Warrensburg, and West Plains.

6:30 pm April 21st Missouri Conservation Department Webinar: Wildflower ID. Register

7 pm April 21st Missouri Conservation Department and Missouri Nature and Environmental Photographers event at Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center, Kirkwood. Register

Volunteers Wanted. 10 am April 22nd Forest ReLeaf Morning Earth Day Potting at City Tree Farm, Scott Joplin House. Help pot up 300 baby trees. Register.

2 pm April 22nd St. Louis County Library Zoom Class: Trees for Bees. Register

4 pm April 22nd Missouri Prairie Foundation Webinar: Opening the Black Box: Soil Microbial Complexity Part 2 – Soil as the Final Frontier presented by Sam Lord, soil ecologist and Assistant Research Professor at the University of Missouri Center for Agroforestry. Register

13 Tickets remaining. 6 pm April 23rd Missouri Conservation Department class at Forest Park Hatchery: Fishing Lesson 2- How to Tie a Knot and Bait a Hook. Completion of Fishing Lesson 1 required. Register

6 pm April 23rd Missouri Conservation Department Zoom Class: Learning to Hunt- Mushrooms. Register

8 am April 24th Webster Groves Garden Club Plant Sale

9 am to 4 pm April 24th St. Louis Community College Horticulture Program @ Meramec Plant Sale at 11333 Big Bend Road, St. Louis MO 63122, Parking Lot K. Cash and Check Only

9 am to 5 pm April 24th St. Louis Herb Society Herb Sale at Missouri Botanical Garden. Garden Fee applies.

9 am to 2 pm Friday and 8 am to 2 pm Saturday, April 24th-25th, Flyleaf Market monthly pop up on 1st floor of Watson Terrace Christian Church, Watson @ Winnebago: Succulent & Tropical Plant Sale.

7 pm April 24th St. Louis Astronomical Society Stargazing at Tower Grove Park

8 am to 4 pm April 25th Missouri Wildflowers Nursery at Kirkwood Farmers Market. Order five days in advance for pick up at Market or purchase from what they bring.

9 am to 1 pm Saturday, 11 am to 1 pm Sunday, April 25th-26th UCity in Bloom Plant Sale

9 am to 3 pm April 25th-26th Sachs Butterfly House Pollinator Plant Sale in Chesterfield

9 am until Sold Out April 25th Olivette in Bloom Native Plant Sale at Five Oaks on Warson

9 am to 4 pm Saturday-Sunday, April 25th-26th, Three Rivers Farm Plant Sale in Elsah, Illinois

10 am April 25th St. Louis County Library event at Meramec Valley Branch: Plant Swap. Register

10 am to 2 pm April 25th Audubon Center at Riverlands Native Plant Festival in West Alton MO

22 Tickets remaining. 10 am April 25th Missouri Conservation Department event at Carondelet Park: Geocaching. Register

10 am April 25th St. Louis County Library event at Oak Bend Branch: Plant Swap. Register

Family Fun. 10 am to 1 pm April 25th Missouri Conservation Department Earth Day event at Rockwoods Reservation, Wildwood: Sustainable DIY Projects Workshop. Bring a picnic lunch and recycled cardboard tubes, plastic bottles, milk cartons, aluminum cans. Register

19 Seats remaining. 1 pm April 25th St. Louis Public Library Garden to Table Series at Central Library: Strawberry Basil Mocktails & Plant Health Clinic. Register

2 pm April 25th St. Louis County Library event at Grand Glaize Branch: Plant Swap. Register

2 pm April 25th St. Louis County Library event at Daniel Boone Branch: Plant Swap. Register

20 Tickets remaining. 8:30 am April 26th St. Louis Audubon Society Beginner Bird Walk at Tower Grove Park. Register

6:30 pm April 28th St. Louis County Library event at Thornhill Branch: Grow Smart This Spring. Register

6:30 pm April 30th St. Louis County Library event at Prairie Commons Branch: Plant Swap. Register

May Garden Club of Lebanon, Illinois, Plant Sale.

9 am to 4 pm Saturday-Sunday, May 2nd-43rd, Three Rivers Farm Plant Sale in Elsah, Illinois

10 am May 2nd Seed St. Louis School Garden Workshop: Summer Maintenance for Fall Learning at Bell Community Garden. Register

10 am May 2nd Eastern Missouri Sierra Club event in Tower Grove Neighborhood: Urban Pollinator Garden Tour. Register

Noon to 3 pm May 2nd Heartlands Conservancy Native Plant Sale at Clinton Hills Conservation Park in Swansea, Illinois

2 pm May 2nd St. Louis County Library event at Meramec Valley Branch: Native Wildflower Gardening. Register

May 2nd-3rd Kress Farm Garden Preserve Spring Plant Sale at Hillsboro

6 pm May 4th St. Louis Public Library Sustainability Series at Buder Library: Sustainability, Ecology, & Conservation efforts in St. Louis Parks.

1-4 pm May 7th-8th Goldfarb Plant Growth Facility Plant Sale. Checks only.

May 8, 2026 to March 31, 2027 Missouri Botanical Garden exhibit at Sachs Museum: The Literary Garden- The Cultivation of Plants and Gardens in Narratives. Garden Admission Free until Noon on Saturdays and Wednesdays to St. Louis City and St. Louis County residents, except during MoBot special events, otherwise Garden Fee applies.

3 pm May 8th St. Louis County Library event at Clark Family Branch: Plant Swap. Register

8 am to 1 pm May 9th Mississippi Valley Garden Club, Illinois, Plant Sale in Godfrey, Illinois

8:30 am to Noon May 9th Webster Groves Women’s Garden Club Plant Sale at First Congregational Church parking lot

May 9th Garden Club of Edwardsville, Illinois Plant Sale.

9 am May 9th Seed St. Louis Summer Seedling Sale at Carriage House

9 am to 5 pm May 9th St. Louis Hosta Society Show & Sale at Missouri Botanical Garden. Garden Admission Free until Noon on Saturdays and Wednesdays to St. Louis City and St. Louis County residents, except during MoBot special events, otherwise Garden Fee applies.

10 am May 9th St. Louis County Library event at Lewis & Clark Branch: Native to Missouri Plant Swap. Register

10 am May 9th St. Louis Public Library Sustainability Series at Buder Library: Wildflower Garden Planning

11 am May 9th St. Charles County Library Seed & Plant Swap at Spencer Road Branch, St. Peters. Register. Registration opens April 11th

1:30 pm May 12th University of Illinois Extension Four Seasons Gardening Webinar Series: Veggie Visions- Unveiling New Flavors in 2026. Register

12 Seats remaining. 6 pm May 12th St. Louis Public Library Sustainability Series at Carpenter Library: Locally Sourced, Mindfully Made with Erin Luna. A hands-on workshop on indigo dyeing, includes make & take tea towel. Register

2 pm May 14th St. Louis Public Library Sustainability Series at Buder Library: Nee Kee Nee (Osage Nation), Tower Grove Park’s East Stream

9 am to 5 pm May 16th Metropolitan St. Louis African Violet Council Show & Sale at Missouri Botanical Garden. Garden Admission Free until Noon on Saturdays and Wednesdays to St. Louis City and St. Louis County residents, except during MoBot special events, otherwise Garden Fee applies.

9 am to 1 pm May 16th Missouri Prairie Foundation Native Plant Sale at The Nature Institute, Godfrey, Illinois

10 am to 2 pm May 17th Bring Conservation Home Native Plant Sale at Five Oaks on Warson, Olivette

May 18th Deadline to order native plants, shrubs, trees from Missouri Wildflowers Nursery for pickup Saturday, May 23rd, at Kirkwood Farmers Market

2 pm May 18th St. Louis County Library event at Jamestown Bluffs Branch: Plant Drip Trays. Come craft custom drip trays from upcycled treasures. Register

2 pm May 19th St. Louis Public Library Sustainability Series at Buder Library: Pollution Solution, presented by River des Peres Watershed Coalition

2 pm May 20th St. Louis County Library Zoom Event:  Native Edible Plants for your Home Garden. Register

9 am to 2 pm Friday and 8 am to 2 pm Saturday, May 22nd-23rd, Flyleaf Market monthly pop up on 1st floor of Watson Terrace Christian Church, Watson @ Winnebago: Succulent & Tropical Plant Sale. This involves a very cool Citizen Growers program.

8 am to 4 pm May 23rd Missouri Wildflowers Nursery at Kirkwood Farmers Market. Order five days in advance for pick up at Market or purchase from what they bring.

9 am to 5 pm May 23rd-24th Rose Society of Greater St. Louis Show at  Missouri Botanical Garden. Garden Admission Free until Noon on Saturdays and Wednesdays to St. Louis City and St. Louis County residents, except during MoBot special events, otherwise Garden Fee applies.

9 Seats remaining. 1 pm May 23rd St. Louis Public Library Garden to Table Series at Central Library: Tomato Transplant Class. Register

May 25th Deadline to order native plants, shrubs, trees from Missouri Wildflowers Nursery for pickup Saturday, May 23rd, at Kirkwood Farmers Market

May 30th Brightside St. Louis Urban Gardening Symposium

8 am to 4 pm May 30th Missouri Wildflowers Nursery at Kirkwood Farmers Market. Order five days in advance for pick up at Market or purchase from what they bring.

9 am June 10th Missouri Botanical Garden Earthways Center class at Commerce Bank Education Center: Climate Change and Plants. Register

6 pm June 10th St. Louis Public Library Locally Sourced, Mindfully Made event at Carpenter Library: Urban Buds flower arranging class. Register

11 am June 13th St. Charles County Library Seed & Plant Swap at Spencer Road Branch, St. Peters. Register. Registration opens May 16th

9 am to 5 pm June 20th Carnivorous Plant Society Show & Sale at Missouri Botanical Garden. Garden Admission Free until Noon on Saturdays and Wednesdays to St. Louis City and St. Louis County residents, except during MoBot special events, otherwise Garden Fee applies.

9 am to 2 pm Friday and 8 am to 2 pm Saturday, June 26th-27th, Flyleaf Market monthly pop up on 1st floor of Watson Terrace Christian Church, Watson @ Winnebago: Succulent & Tropical Plant Sale.

9 am to 5 pm June 27th Kimmswick Visitor Center Daylily Sale

June 27th-28th St. Louis Water Garden Society’s Pond-O-Rama

18 Seats remaining. 1 pm June 27th St. Louis Public Library Garden to Table Series at Central Library: Garden Party Strawberry & Basil Mocktails! Register

11 am July 11th St. Charles County Library Seed & Plant Swap at Spencer Road Branch, St. Peters. Register. Registration opens June 13th

21 Seats remaining. 1 pm July 11th St. Louis Public Library Garden to Table Series at Central Library: Tomato & Basil Health Clinic. Register

9 am to 4 pm July 18th Missouri Botanical Garden event: Funga Fair- A Mushroom Event Hosted by the Missouri Mycological Society. Garden Admission Free until Noon on Saturdays and Wednesdays to St. Louis City and St. Louis County residents, except during MoBot special events, otherwise Garden Fee applies.

9 am to 2 pm Friday and 8 am to 2 pm Saturday, July 24th-25th, Flyleaf Market monthly pop up on 1st floor of Watson Terrace Christian Church, Watson @ Winnebago: Succulent & Tropical Plant Sale.

July 25th-26th Shaw Cactus and Succulent Society Plant Sale at Jost Event Center, Overland

9 am to 5 pm August 1st-2nd Greater St. Louis Iris Society Plant Sale at Missouri Botanical Garden. Garden Admission Free until Noon on Saturdays and Wednesdays to St. Louis City and St. Louis County residents, except during MoBot special events, otherwise Garden Fee applies.

11 am August 8th St. Charles County Library Seed & Plant Swap at Spencer Road Branch, St. Peters. Register. Registration opens July 11th

19 Seats remaining. 1 pm August 8th St. Louis Public Library Garden to Table Series at Central Library: Garden Party Caprese Salad. Bring tomatoes & basil from your garden. Register

Noon to 5 pm August 9th Orchid Society of Greater St. Louis Auction at Missouri Botanical Garden. Garden Fee applies.

9 am August 15th Seed St. Louis Fall Seedling Sale at Carriage House

9 am to 5 pm August 15th Missouri Botanical Garden Daylily Society Plant Sale at Missouri Botanical Garden. Garden Admission Free until Noon on Saturdays and Wednesdays to St. Louis City and St. Louis County residents, except during MoBot special events, otherwise Garden Fee applies.

9 am to 2 pm Friday and 8 am to 2 pm Saturday, August 21st-22nd, Flyleaf Market monthly pop up on 1st floor of Watson Terrace Christian Church, Watson @ Winnebago: Succulent & Tropical Plant Sale.

September 5th Garden Club of Edwardsville, Illinois Plant Sale.

9 am to 5 pm September 12th Gateway West Gesneriad Society Show & Sale at Missouri Botanical Garden. Garden Admission Free until Noon on Saturdays and Wednesdays to St. Louis City and St. Louis County residents, except during MoBot special events, otherwise Garden Fee applies.

September 12th Missouri Prairie Foundation Native Plant Sale at The Nature Institute, Godfrey, Illinois

11 am September 12th St. Charles County Library Seed & Plant Swap at Spencer Road Branch, St. Peters. Register. Registration opens August 15th

September 24th Missouri Prairie Foundation Native Plant Sale at Roeslein & Associates, St. Louis County

9 am to 2 pm Friday and 8 am to 2 pm Saturday, September 25th-26th, Flyleaf Market monthly pop up on 1st floor of Watson Terrace Christian Church, Watson @ Winnebago: Succulent & Tropical Plant Sale.

11 am October 10th St. Charles County Library Seed & Plant Swap at Spencer Road Branch, St. Peters. Register. Registration opens September 12th

9 am October 17th Seed St. Louis Garlic Sale at Carriage House

9 am to 2 pm Friday and 8 am to 2 pm Saturday, October 23rd-24th, Flyleaf Market monthly pop up on 1st floor of Watson Terrace Christian Church, Watson @ Winnebago: Succulent & Tropical Plant Sale.

11 am November 14th St. Charles County Library Seed & Plant Swap at Spencer Road Branch, St. Peters. Register. Registration opens October 17th

9 am to 2 pm Friday and 8 am to 2 pm Saturday, November 27th-28th, Flyleaf Market monthly pop up on 1st floor of Watson Terrace Christian Church, Watson @ Winnebago: Succulent & Tropical Plant Sale.

9 am to 2 pm Friday and 8 am to 2 pm Saturday, December 11th-12th, Flyleaf Market monthly pop up on 1st floor of Watson Terrace Christian Church, Watson @ Winnebago: Succulent & Tropical Plant Sale.

11 am December 12th St. Charles County Library Seed & Plant Swap at Spencer Road Branch, St. Peters. Register. Registration opens October 17th

More Data Center Money Went to Mayor Spencer

Man with giant green money bag

On February 22nd, Rodney H. Thomas, of Armory data center developer THO Investments, donated $12,500 to Spencer’s PAC.

In addition to data center developer Jerald Kent donating $80,000 over the past two years to 21st Century St. Louis PAC, the legal money laundry for Greater St. Louis, he made donations to other campaign committees.

On February 20th of this year, twelve days before the St. Louis City mayoral primary election, Kent gave $25,000 to A Brighter Future for St Louis PAC, the pac for now Mayor Cara Spencer. That money helped fund media buys, negative advertising against incumbent Mayor Tishaura Jones.

As earlier reported, he also donated the max of $2,600 to the then 8th Ward Alder and candidate for Mayor on the same day.

Kent is the Chairman and CEO of Tierpoint and Cequel 3, data center developers. It’s highly likely Kent and/or his attorneys influenced, if not actually the author or put stamp of approval on, Mayor Spencer’s  Executive Order 92 on data centers.

Transparency Fail. Spencer’s PAC also received $4,000 on March 31st from John M Baragiola III, his occupation/employer is identified on the April quarterly campaign report as “NA/ — Retired.” Baragiola is actually President and owner of Falcon Technologies, a company that sells materials for IT infrastructure. He also gets farm subsidies.

More Data Center $ for Greater St. Louis PAC

Man with giant green money bag

How Much Does A St. Louis City Alder Seat Cost? has been updated to reflect new donations to 21st Century St. Louis PAC, the legal money laundry of Greater St. Louis.

Two 48 Hour Reports totalling $40,000 by Jerald Kent, Chairman and CEO of Tierpoint and Cequel 3, data center developers, were made in December.

Transparency Fail. The August 11, 2025, contribution to 21st Century St. Louis PAC should have been reported by 48 Hour Report in August and then also in the PAC’s October Report. It was not reported until December 22nd. This should result in fines from Missouri Ethics Commission for failure to disclose in a timely manner.

In September, St. Louis City Mayor Cara Spencer issued Executive Order 92 on data centers, probably written by a lobbyist.

In October, the St. Louis City Board of Alders passed Resolution 111 on data centers that was not worth the paper it is printed on.

Greater St. Louis is the successor organization from the merger and rebranding of Civic Progress, Downtown STL, St. Louis Regional Chamber, Arch to Park, and AllianceSTL.

Tierpoint lists three data centers in the St. Louis area among their many facilities, including two in Downtown at 1111 Olive and 2300 Locust.

The Locust data center counts Greater St. Louis, Ameren electric company, and St. Louis Development Corporation, the City’s corporater welfare agency, among its partners.

1111 Olive was a 2010 TIF redevelopment and part of State Auditor Nicole Galloway’s 2020 audit on deficiencies in Tax Increment Financing in St. Louis.

Unlike Missouri MAGA Governor Mike Kehoe, who wants to get rid of the State’s income tax, Tierpoint notes the state is a “Strategic Location” “With a low corporate income tax rate… recognized for its low costs and pro-business environment” and “The state incentivizes the building and expansion of data centers with sales and use tax exemptions.”

Plans to redevelop St. Louis Armory into a data center met public opposition and the developer has failed to answer all questions raised.

How Much Does A St. Louis City Alder Seat Cost?

Man with giant green money bag

Updated 12/27/2025 to reflect additional December 2025 donations by Jerald Kent, Chairman and CEO of Tierpoint and Cequel 3 data centers.

I have no idea how much candidates for St. Louis City Alder and Board President raised and spent in 2023 or 2025. I could go thru campaign finance reports filed at Missouri Ethics Commission. But those figures would be highly problematic because of independent spending by political action committees (PACs), legal money laundries in Missouri.

What I can tell you about is the St. Louis City-based PAC, that now has an agenda before the Board of Alders and City economic development boards, that spent a lot of money electing the Board of Alders in recent years. A LOT.

Civic Progress Action Committee, the PAC for Civic Progress, and its successor 21st Century St. Louis PAC, the PAC for Greater St. Louis, have a 24 year history online at MEC. It’s a history showing dramatic changes in purpose and how they operate– two different eras, different goals.

Civic Progress Action Committee was run for many years by Walter L. Metcalfe, Jr. and Alfred E. Kerth, III. Civic Progress was a rich white man’s club, the captains of industry. Their PAC was noblesse oblige politics.

Civic Progress Action Committee paid for lunch meetings at private clubs including St. Louis Club and The Bogey Club. It paid for administrative services from FleishmanHillard, Bryan Cave, PricewaterhouseCoopers, RubinBrown, and Civic Progress Inc. It invested hundreds of thousands of dollars in Euro Dollar Bonds. Nothing like that shows up in 21st Century St. Louis PAC’s reports.

Civic Progress Action Committee hired lobbyists to monitor and testify at hearings: 35 checks, $5,000 each to Nexus Group from February 2018 to December 2020; 33 checks, $5,000 to $10,000 each to Dentons, previous employers of Nexus Group, from January 2015 to February 2018. Lobbyist Dick Wiles, a Jefferson City fixture for decades, once represented Civic Progress as well.

Greater St. Louis has 15 lobbyists, both at the State Capitol and at City Hall. They are not paid by 21st Century St. Louis PAC. At City Hall and at economic development board meetings (corporate welfare) the organization is served by attorney David Sweeney, former Clerk of the Board of Alders and considered a “friend” by most Alders and other elected officials at City Hall. Sweeney also lobbies for many developers. Generally, Alders rubberstamp projects that Sweeney represents.

One thing that Civic Progress Action Committee did not do was consort with City Alders, donate to candidates, or make Independent Expenditures to elect candidates. That all changed when Civic Progress merged with several organizations to become Greater St. Louis and Jason Hall, its CEO, took over Civic Progress Action on August 3, 2022. Good luck finding a news article on this merger that is objective, not mostly propaganda.

In 2023, 21st Century St. Louis PAC helped elect two Alders representing the City’s central corridor and lesser amounts on eight other successful candidates, 12 of 15 votes on the Board including Board President Megan Green. In 2025, the PAC helped elect 8 of 8 Alder seats on regular and special election ballots, a majority of votes on the Board.

In 2023, 21st Century St. Louis PAC’s $42,936.02 in direct expenditures and contributions were pivotable to helping nine-year Washington University employee Michael Browning defeat two incumbent Alders-  Tina “Sweet-T” Pihl and Michael Gras- to become Alder of the City’s Central West End’s new 9th Ward, a product of consolidating wards from 28 to 14 and subsequent redistricting. Another $40,936.03 went to the re-election of 14th Ward Alder Rasheen Aldridge, one of two Downtown Alders.

In 2025, 21st Century St. Louis PAC spent $13,936.68 on Alder Browning, who had neither a primary nor general election opponent, and $26,379.91 electing banker Jami Cox Antwi as Downtown’s second Alder, the 8th Ward seat vacated by the election of Alder Cara Spencer to Mayor.

Another $16,183.60 went to the re-election of 1st Ward Alder Anne Schweitzer; $16,533.44 to help re-elect 7th Ward Alder Alisha Sonnier; and $13,978.68 to re-elect 11th Ward Alder Laura Keys; plus, smaller amounts for another four Alders.

Browning and Aldridge have sponsored millions and millions of dollars in corporate welfare for developers in the City’s central corridor (Central West End to Downtown)- property tax abatements (which reduce revenue to public schools), sales tax exemotions, developer-controlled special taxes, and more. Antwi is the Board’s newest member but will predictably follow in the footsteps of Spencer and, before that, Alder Phyllis Young, in sponsoring millions in corporate welfar for Downtown developers. That’s why Greater St. Louis invests money in Alder elections. And the sky’s the limit on how much.

Most of the money spent by 21st Century St. Louis PAC was by Direct Expenditure. In Missouri, these are funds to support or oppose a candidate or ballot measure without giving directly to a candidate or committee, money for mailings, robo calls, digital advertising, etc.

Direct Expenditures are a way around campaign finance contribution limits. A PAC can donate the legal limit, for Alders that’s $2,600, then spend as much as it wants in Direct Expenditures. 21st Century St. Louis PAC did exactly that.

Direct Expenditures are also only reported by the PAC making them. They do not show up on beneficiary candidate or ballot committee reports. You have to know who the players are in an election and track their reports available online at Missouri Ethics Commission. The spending may attract news media attention for statewide candidates and ballot issues but rarely local elections.

January 2023 to October 2025
21st Century St. Louis PAC
Direct Expenditures Benefiting St. Louis City Candidates
06/30/2025 $11,627.82 Alder Jami Cox Antwi
06/13/2025 $12,152.03 Alder Jami Cox Antwi
03/24/2025 $14,183.60 Alder Anne Schweitzer
03/24/2025 $13,933.44 Alder Alisha Sonnier
03/24/2025 $13,836.68 Alder Michael Browning
03/24/2025 $13,718.68 Alder Laura Keys
03/29/2023 $6,686.28 former Alder Joe Vollmer
03/29/2023 $6,686.27 former Alder Joe Vaccaro
03/27/2023 $11,140.06 Alder Michael Browning
03/27/2023 $11,140.07 Alder Rasheen Aldridge
03/22/2023 $11,235.48 Alder Michael Browning
03/22/2023 $11,235.48 Alder Rasheen Aldridge
03/20/2023 $15,960.48 Alder Michael Browning
03/20/2023 $15,960.48 Alder Rasheen Aldridge

January 2023 to October 2025
21st Century St. Louis PAC
Contributions to St. Louis City Electeds and Failed Candidates
05/28/2025 $2,600 Alder Jami Cox Antwi
03/26/2025 $2,600 Alder Laura Keys
02/13/2025 $2,600 Alder Anne Schweitzer
02/13/2025 $2,600 Alder Matt DeVoti
02/13/2025 $2,600 Alder Alisha Sonnier
12/17/2024 $2,600 Alder Pam Boyd
12/17/2024 $2,600 Alder Shane Cohn
12/17/2024 $2,600 Alder Laura Keys
10/09/2024 $2,600 Alder Michael Browning
12/14/2023 $2,600 Circuit Attorney Gabe Gore
03/10/2023 $2,600 failed Alder candidate J.P. Mitchom
03/10/2023 $2,600 Alder Rasheen Aldridge
03/10/2023 $2,600 Alder Michael Browning
03/10/2023 $2,600 Alder Tom Oldenburg
03/10/2023 $2,600 Board President Megan Green
03/10/2023 $2,600 Alder Shane Cohn
03/10/2023 $2,600 Alder Daniela Velazquez
03/10/2023 $2,600 Alder Pam Boyd
03/10/2023 $2,600 former Alder Joe Vollmer
03/10/2023 $2,600 Alder Laura Keys
03/10/2023 $2,600 former Alder, now Mayor Cara Spencer
02/21/2023 $2,600 Alder Shane Cohn
02/21/2023 $2,600 Alder Daniela Velazquez
02/21/2023 $2,600 former Alder, now Mayor Cara Spencer
02/21/2023 $2,600 former Alder Joe Vollmer
02/21/2023 $2,600 Alder Michael Browning
02/21/2023 $2,600 former Alder Mike Gras
02/21/2023 $2,600 Alder Laura Keys
02/21/2023 $2,600 Alder Pam Boyd
02/21/2023 $2,600 former Mayor Tishaura Jones
02/21/2023 $2,600 former Comptroller Darlene Green
02/21/2023 $2,600 Board President Megan Green
02/21/2023 $2,600 Alder Tom Oldenburg
02/21/2023 $2,600 former Alder James Page
02/21/2023 $2,600 Alder Rasheen Aldridge

Who funded the 21st Century St. Louis PAC’s efforts in St. Louis City Alder campaigns in 2023 and 2025?

January 2023 to December 2025
21st Century St. Louis PAC Funders

12/16/2025 $20,000 Jerald Kent (Tierpoint and Cequel 3, data center)
08/11/2025 $20,000 Jerald Kent (Tierpoint and Cequel 3, data center)
07/29/2025 $7,372.44 STL Regional Chamber PAC*
02/27/2025 $5,000 Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner (law firm)
02/23/2025 $5,000 David Peacock (Advantage Solutions)
02/03/2025 $5,000 David Peacock (Advantage Solutions)
12/02/2024 $10,000 John Tracy (Dot Family Holdings)
11/12/2024 $25,000 Andrew Taylor (Enterprise Mobility)
10/23/2024 $5,000 Commerce Bancshares
10/10/2024 $10,000 Ameren (utility, strong interest in data centers)
10/07/2024 $20,000 Lodging Hospitality Management (developer, hotelier)
08/23/2024 $4,500 Jerome Schlichter (attorney)
08/23/2024 $4,500 Susan Schlichter (retired)
08/20/2024 $5,000 Michael Konzen (PGAV)
08/14/2024 $10,000 John Tracy (Dot Family Holdings)
08/13/2024 $10,000 Thompson Coburn (law firm)
08/12/2024 $20,000 Jerald Kent (Tierpoint and Cequel 3, data center)
08/16/2024 $5,000 Schnuck Markets
09/05/2023 $10,000 John Tracy (Dot Family Holdings)
03/29/2023 $4,000 Lodging Hospitality Management (developer, hotelier)
03/29/2023 $4,000 Susan Schlichter (retired)
03/27/2023 $10,000 Thompson Coburn (law firm)
03/27/2023 $5,000 Spire PAC (utility)
03/24/2023 $2,500 Commerce Bancshares
03/21/2023 $5,000 900 N Tucker LLC (developer,Old Post-Dispatch Bldg, data center, Interco Plaza)
03/20/2023 $10,000 Jerald Kent (Tierpoint and Cequel 3, data center)
03/20/2023 $3,000 Edward L. Dowd Jr. Living Trust (attorney)
03/17/2023 $20,000 First Bank
03/16/2023 $10,000 Post Holdings (consumer packaged foods)
03/14/2023 $5,000 Bryan Cave Missouri PAC (law firm)
02/24/2023 $5,000 900 N Tucker LLC (developer, Old Post-Dispatch Bldg, data center, Interco Plaza)
02/17/2023 $5,000 Schnuck Markets
02/14/2023 $5,000 Commerce Bancshares PAC
02/09/2023 $5,000 Jerome Schlichter (attorney)
02/07/2023 $25,000 Andrew Taylor (Enterprise Holdings)
02/08/2023 $10,000 Jerald Kent (Tierpoint, data center)
02/06/2023 $5,000 Lodging Hospitality Management (developer, hotelier)
02/02/2023 $5,000 Robert Hermann Jr (Busch Family, Hermann Companies)
02/01/2023 $5,000 Thompson Coburn (law firm)

Notice how much the source of funds changed after the merger.

January 2015 to December 2020
Civic Progress Action Committee Funders
12/21/2020 $12,000 SSM Health St. Louis
11/17/2020 $4,500 Caleres Inc
10/13/2020 $7,500 Nestle Purina PetCare
10/13/2020 $7,500 BJC Healthcare
09/30/2020 $4,500 Stifel Financial
09/26/2020 $7,500 Edward Jones
09/23/2020 $4,500 Maritz
08/27/2020 $7,500 Ameren Missouri
06/25/2020 $4,500 Coin Acceptors Inc
06/22/2020 $4,500 Schnucks Markets
06/10/2020 $4,500 Harbour Group Industries
06/05/2020 $13,000 RGA Reinsurance
05/29/2020 $4,500 Cequel III
05/18/2020 $4,500 Graybar Electric
05/11/2020 $4,500 Spire Missouri
03/31/2020 $13,000 Anheuser-Busch
02/11/2020 $13,000 Centene Management
02/10/2020 $4,500 Commerce Bancshares
02/06/2020 $13,000 Emerson Electric
01/31/2020 $4,500 Hunter Engineering
01/29/2020 $13,000 Enterprise Holdings Inc PAC
12/13/2019 $75,000 Civic Progress Inc
03/20/2019 $4,500 Caleres
02/26/2019 $4,500 Maritz
02/08/2019 $7,500 Mercy
01/25/2019 $13,000 Centene Management
01/25/2019 $13,000 Enterprise Holdings Inc PAC
01/16/2019 $4,500 Schnucks Markets
01/02/2019 $7,500 Ameren Missouri
12/14/2028 $4,500 Hunter Engineering
11/05/2018 $25,000 Civic Progress
11/02/2018 $4,500 Cequel III
10/23/2018 $4,500 Maritz
05/31/2018 $4,500 Graybar Electric
05/21/2018 $4,500 BJC HealthCare
05/16/2018 $4,500 Harbour Group Industries
05/07/2018 $13,000 Anheuser-Busch
05/03/2018 $4,500 Coin Acceptors
05/03/2018 Southwestern Bell Telephone dba AT&T
05/01/2018 $7,500 RGA Reinsurance
05/01/2018 $13,000 Express Scripts
03/29/2018 $4,500 Caleres Inc
02/08/2028 $7,500 Edward Jones
01/26/2018 $4,500 Mercy St. Louis
01/24/2018 $4,500 Harbour Group Industries
01/24/2018 $13,000 Enterprise Holdings Inc. PAC
01/24/2018 $7,500 Centene Management
01/09/2018 $13,000 Emerson Electric
01/17/2018 $4,500 Spire Missouri
01/05/2018 $4,500 Commerce Bancshares
09/13/2017 $4,500 Southwestern Bell Telephone dba AT&T
07/01/2017 $4,500 Commerce Bank
06/20/2017 $13,000 Monsanto
06/12/2017 $13,000 Anheuser-Busch
05/22/2017 $13,000 Enterprise Holdings Inc. PAC
05/17/2017 $7,500 RGA Reinsurance
05/02/2017 $4,500 Mercy
04/28/2017 $4,500 Maritz
04/11/2017 $4,500 Caleres Inc
04/06/2017 $4,500 Coin Acceptors Inc
03/30/2017 $4,500 Stifel Financial
02/02/2017 $7,500 World Wide Technology Holding Co
01/30/2017 $4,500 Schnuck Markets
01/25/2017 $7,500 Centene Management
01/25/2017 $7,500 Edward Jones
12/22/2016 $13,000 Emerson Electric
12/22/2016 $4,500 Hunter Engineering
12/20/2016 $4,500 BJC Healthcare
12/20/2016 $175,000 Civic Progress
12/19/2016 $4,500 The Laclede Group
11/07/2016 $2,000 Committee for Bond Initiatives
09/07/2016 $13,000 Anheuser-Busch
08/16/2016 $4,500 Harbour Group Industries
06/30/2016 $4,500 Graybar Electric
06/20/2016 $4,500 BJC Healthcare
06/20/2016 $4,500 Mercy
06/10/2016 $7,500 RGA Reinsurance
05/31/2016 $13,000 Express Scripts
05/31/2016 $4,500 Commerce Bancshares
05/31/2016 $4,500 Coin Acceptors
04/27/2016 $4,500 Cequel III
03/31/2016 $4,500 Stifel Financial
03/14/2016 $13,000 Enterprise Holdings PAC
02/29/2016 $4,500 The Laclede Group
02/09/2016 $4,500 Caleres
02/09/2016 $4,500 Schnuck Markets
02/02/2016 $7,500 Centenne Management
02/02/2016 $7,500 US Bank
02/02/2016 $13,000 Monsanto
01/26/2016 $4,500 Civic Progress
01/22/2016 $13,000 Emerson Electric
01/20/2916 $7,500 Ameren
01/12/2016 $4,500 Hunter Engineering
01/11/2016 $7,500 Edward Jones
12/22/2016 $13,000 Anheuser-Busch
05/28/2015 $4,500 Harbour Group Industries
05/28/2015 $4,500 Coin Acceptors
05/28/2015 $4,500 Maritz
05/15/2015 $4,500 Commerce Bancshares
05/15/2015 $4,500 Mercy
05/08/2015 $7,500 Nestle Purina PetCare
04/02/2015 $7,500 Energizer Holdings
03/12/2015 $7,500 Edward Jones
03/12/2015 $4,500 TKG Management
03/02/2015 $7,500 Peabody Investments
02/25/2015 $4,500 Schnuck Markets
02/25/2015 $4,500 Southwestern Bell Telephone dba AT&T Missouri
02/06/2015 $4,500 Brown Shoe
01/23/2015 $4,500 Graybar Electric
01/23/2015 $4,500 World Wide Technology Holding Co
01/23/2015 $7,500 Centene Management
01/19/2015 $4,500 UniGroup
01/15/2015 $7,500 US Bank
01/08/2015 $4,500 PF Services, Inc., 670 Mason Ridge Center
01/08/2015 $4,500 Hunter Engineering
01/08/2015 $13,000 Emerson Electric
01/08/2015 $7,500 Ameren

Civic Progress Action Committee paid for ballot issue campaigns affecting City of St. Louis- school bonds, Charter reform, Metropolitan Sewer District, sales tax for police, as well as statewide ballot issues. In 2012, as example, $68,600 was spent on Citizens for a Healthy Missouri’s ballot issue for a cigarette tax increase, defeated 51% to 49%. It will be interesting to see if Greater St. Louis continues that legacy.

January 2015 to December 2022
Civic Progress Action Committee & Civic Progress Inc
Contributions & Direct Expenditures to Ballot Issues
03/14/2022 $25,000 Local Jobs for STL
08/13/2021 $20,000 Invest in St. Louis Community College
03/19/2021 $25,000 Yes on Prop E – Earnings Tax STL
10/06/2017 $125,000 Citizens For A Safer St. Louis
03/29/2017 $10,000 Reduce & Reform STL
04/05/2017 $10,000 direct expenditure for Proposition S
02/24/2016 $100,000 Friends of St. Louis Public Schools
04/05/2016 $100,000 direct expenditure for Proposition 1
11/23/2015 $20,000 Campaign for Clean Water STL

In 2024, 21st Century St. Louis PAC endorsed MAGA candidate Mike Kehoe for Missouri Governor. In June 2025, the PAC donated $5,000 to the Missouri House Republican Campaign Committee. In May, 2025 Governor Kehoe and Missouri General Assembly took away local control of St. Louis City’s Police Department, overturned the will of Missouri voters who had approved local control.

*STL Regional Chamber PAC was part of the merger that created 21st Century St. Louis PAC. It was short lived on its own. Other than ordering checks, it spent no funds. The money transferred came from $7,500 in contributions in 2021 from Missouri American Water Employees PAC and Anheuser Busch, the only contributions the PAC had received.