Economic and Community Development

Drawing on the University’s land grant mission and role as an anchor institution, Economic and Community Development (ECD) supports the University’s commitment to engage and apply its economic and human capital to drive positive community impact and economic opportunity in North St. Louis County, the St. Louis region, Missouri and beyond.

ECD does this by leading and supporting community-university partnerships and initiatives, strengthening a culture of engagement on campus, building civic capacity for thriving communities, and fostering connections and relationships with the communities we serve.

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Anchor Initiatives
UMSL is deeply rooted in North County and the St. Louis Region. As an anchor institution, the University partners with our local and regional community on economic development, health and education initiatives to improve well-being and opportunity in St. Louis and beyond.
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Community and Civic Engagement
UMSL has long been a community engaged university. The University supports faculty, staff, and students developing and increasing their involvement and impact in the community through training, programming, and opportunities to participate in community life.
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Community Development
The University of Missouri–St. Louis and MU Extension partner with individuals, organizations, and local governments to build civic capacity for thriving communities across the state. UMSL and MU Extension bring together experienced university community development specialists, faculty, and community partners through the state-wide Community Development Program and Creating Whole Communities. These efforts include St. Louis Community LAB, a portal to a wide range of community development trainings.
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Economic Development
Economic Development supports the University’s commitment to apply its geographic and real estate assets to drive positive community impact. We also engage with real estate professionals and economic developers in the St. Louis community to partner on public/private projects that benefit the student, faculty researchers and staff. The goal of greater economic vitality for the local community in North St. Louis City and County, the St. Louis region, Missouri and beyond is our group’s north star for the work we do on UMSL’s campus.

Interested in connecting with UMSL? Visit our Contact Us page or email ecd@umsl.edu.