Located in the heart of the United States, St. Louis is a city and region that is well-connected. As the major metropolitan area nearest to both the geographic and population centers of the U.S., St. Louis is connected to a rich history, a thriving culture, a diverse economy, and a promising future. 

Centuries before the Gateway Arch stood strong and tall on the banks of the Mississippi River, St. Louis served as a portal to American pioneers for expansion and exploration to the West, which earned it the nickname “Gateway to the West.” Many pioneers liked the thriving river town and decided to call the area home. The discovery of St. Louis as a great place to live and visit has continued ever since. 

Greater St. Louis represents a 16-county region, which encompasses portions of both Missouri and Illinois. Almost 2.8 million people call St. Louis home, making it the nation’s 18th largest metropolitan area. 

St. Louisans don’t like to brag. It’s not in our nature. However, from the nationally acclaimed St. Louis Zoo to the Saint Louis Art Museum, the region boasts some of the country’s top cultural attractions. Even better, most are free. People here are just as passionate about having one of the world’s greatest symphony orchestras as they are about the World Series Champion St. Louis Cardinals baseball team. 

Home to 21 Fortune 1000 companies and several firms listed by Forbes in its U.S. list of “Largest Private Companies,” the region offers a diverse economy, a talented workforce, top-ranked educational institutions, and a pro-growth business culture. 

Being well-connected allows St. Louisans to have it all. The St. Louis area offers a unique blend of business, cultural and recreational assets found in a big city with the affordability, convenience, access, and sense of community found in a smaller one. When you put it all together, St. Louis has all the right connections.