Empowered the Port Authority to Open for Business Again: Another institution that needed work was the Port Authority. Shortly after taking office, we resolved the dispute between the two competing Port Authority boards. That resolution clarified that the new Port Authority board—the one that was approved by the Council, the one that is democratically accountable for its decisions—is the valid Port Authority. The resolution empowered the valid Port Authority to reopen for business overseeing the distribution of about $5 million each year and managing County real estate transactions. Obtained Funding for Workforce Development Programs: The administration obtained almost $5 million in additional funding for local workforce development programs aimed at providing training services to youth, adults, and dislocated workers to increase meaningful employment. The Department of Human Services provides these services in partnership with the Family and Workforce Centers of America, the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis, and the International Institute of Metropolitan St. Louis. We also obtained funds for the SkillUp project, which is an important part of a comprehensive workforce development system serving the needs of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program recipients. Obtained Funding for First-Ever County Vendor Fair: We obtained funding for a St. Louis County Vendor Opportunity Fair—the first of its kind for the County—to be held in September at the University of Missouri-St. Louis with the theme “Fostering New Opportunities and Relationships.” The event is hosted by our Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. At the fair, the office’s representatives will help expose local entrepreneurs to potential business opportunities with the County.
Racial and Gender Equity Prioritizing Equity in Every Department: I asked every County department to look at their everyday work through an equity lens and to evaluate how we can ensure that County services are being distributed fairly and equitably throughout St. Louis County.
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