
Eric Schmid
Economic Development ReporterEric Schmid covers Economic Development for St. Louis Public Radio. He's primarily focused on examining policies and ideas to drive population and business growth throughout the St. Louis region.
He previously covered the Metro East writing about many topics in the Illinois counties adjacent to St. Louis, but regularly returns to stories about the environment, public policy, and the census and demographics.
Eric came to the station through Report for America in 2019 and was tasked to develop STLPR’s coverage east of the Mississippi. Before joining St. Louis Public Radio, Eric held internships at Fox News Channel, NPR-affiliate WSHU Public Radio and AccuWeather. He graduated from Stony Brook University in New York with a degree in Journalism in 2018.
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The transportation sector accounts for about 28% of the greenhouse gas emissions in the United States. Barge shipping could help reduce that output, but there’s not a full picture of how carbon efficient that transportation mode really is.
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Boeing promises the project will create at least 500 jobs.
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In its petition, Illinois said Spire broke state law by failing to comply with a consent order from 2021 requiring that it place proper measures against erosion.
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The R&R Marketplace includes centers for career development and training, co-working and innovation, addiction treatment, and early childhood education, as well as a restaurant and a bank.
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Washington University already has a similar “no-loan” program for students whose families make less than $75,000 annually. Now, the university is extending it to all undergraduates who receive a financial aid package.
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One member of the St. Louis County Council called the Boeing request for a $155 million tax abatement on the company’s proposed $1.8 billion investment “tone-deaf timing.” It comes just weeks after the council voted against freezing property taxes for seniors.
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The money goes to buy out 11 properties in University City, Webster Groves and Ladue.
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The industry has sold more than $715 million of marijuana in the nearly 7 months since recreational sales began in February. Adult-use products account for almost $550 million of that total.
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The Board of Aldermen returns in September, when a handful of bills designed to help tenants are likely to be introduced.
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Dozens of Dutchtown residents and Cleveland graduates gathered Wednesday night to hear developer Chris Goodson’s ideas for the former high school and ask questions or offer feedback about the project.
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A multi-university research team is developing technology that can detect salmonella contamination in a matter of minutes. Researchers aim to take the results from sensors and pair them with other data to strengthen the safety and resilience of the chicken supply.
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The corn and soybean crops in Missouri and Illinois are in better condition because of the recent rain, meaning it didn’t come too late in the growing season to make a difference.