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Published, Version of Record (VoR)Open Access (License Unspecified), Open Access
Published, Version of Record (VoR)Open Access (License Unspecified), Open
Report
Cortex Innovation District: A Model for Anchor-led, Inclusive Innovation
13 Jan 2021
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17918/00010543
Abstract
The Cortex Innovation Community, located in the Central West End of St. Louis, is ranked as one of the top five innovation districts in the world. Founded in 2002 and built within a blighted 200-acre former industrial area, the district generated $2.1 billion in economic output for the St. Louis region in 2018. In February 2020, almost 6,000 employees worked in Cortex. This City Case details how Cortex originated, how it has evolved, and what its impact has been on the St. Louis economy. This City Case reflects on Cortex at a time of extraordinary transition. The COVID-19 crisis has threatened the viability and growth of small business and startups across the country and St. Louis is no exception. Dennis Lower who led the growth of Cortex over the past decade retired in March 2020 and a new Executive Director, Sam Fiorello, was hired just after most programming and operations within Cortex went virtual. Finally, Cortex’s astonishing growth and appeal has left little developable land within the district for additional projects—an impressive challenge to have, but one that Cortex leaders must contend with and is currently addressing in a strategic planning process.
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Details
- Title
- Cortex Innovation District: A Model for Anchor-led, Inclusive Innovation
- Creators
- Bruce J Katz - Drexel University, Nowak Metro Finance LabKaren L Black - Drexel University, Lindy Institute for Urban Innovation
- Publisher
- Nowak Metro Finance Lab, Drexel University; Philadelphia, PA
- Number of pages
- 57
- Resource Type
- Report
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Nowak Metro Finance Lab; Lindy Institute for Urban Innovation
- Other Identifier
- 991021902029904721