x
Breaking News
More () »

Parson stops in tech district for first STL visit as governor

He chose the Cortex District for his St. Louis stop. That's the city's growing tech and startup hub.
Credit: KSDK

ST. LOUIS — Mike Parson made his first visit to St. Louis as Governor Thursday. And some of those there said just as important as what he said may be where he said it.

Governor Parson took over just a couple of weeks ago when former Governor Eric Greitens resigned.

Parson spent the past two days touring the state on what he said was a "listening tour" to learn how the governor's office can better serve the people of Missouri.

He chose the Cortex District for his St. Louis stop. That's the city's growing tech and startup hub.
And the head of Cortex, Dennis Lower, says Parson's visit shows his commitment to that kind of job growth.

"I think he wanted to hold this meeting here because we are generating the next generation's jobs here in the district," said Lower.

During the closed-door meeting with about 50 leaders from business, tech, and community organizations one topic Lower said came up was the divide many in the room see in Jefferson City between rural and urban interest.

"It's very clear to me that he wants to bridge that divide," said Lower of the governor's comments in the meeting. "He talked about wanting to bring small-town rural mayors to Kansas City and to St. Louis to meet with the mayor here and then vice versa."

This wasn't just a high-tech, business group that met with the Governor. Parson also wanted to hear from community leaders.

There as at least one pastor in the room, the Urban League and some other community organizations.
And those in the meeting said Parson wants to come back to St. Louis to meet with them again.

Before You Leave, Check This Out