AGCMO Summit Challenges Construction Industry to Turn Growth Into Broader Opportunity

Date Posted: September 3, 2026

Posted In: Discussion, People, Regionalism, What we are thinking about, Workforce,

by Tom Finan, Executive Director, Construction Forum

The AGC of Missouri Advancement Summit brought construction, development, government and community leaders together Wednesday at the Knight Center at Washington University around a central question: How can the region’s investment and building activity create opportunity for more businesses, workers and neighborhoods?

Measuring Development by Who Benefits

Stephen Westbrooks, president and CEO of the St. Louis Development Corporation, set the direction in his opening keynote, challenging the industry to measure development by more than buildings constructed and dollars invested.

The region must also consider whether that investment strengthens neighborhoods, expands opportunities for small and emerging businesses and creates pathways to lasting careers, Westbrooks said.

Westbrooks said inclusive growth requires intentional collaboration among developers, contractors, public agencies, financial institutions, workforce organizations and the communities affected by development decisions.

He also emphasized the challenges facing smaller contractors seeking to participate in development opportunities. Westbrooks pointed to the importance of access to information, relationships, technical support and capital in helping businesses compete successfully and build capacity.

Westbrooks connected business development with workforce development as well, arguing that construction investment can create not simply jobs, but pathways into training, employment and positions of greater responsibility.

His broader message was that economic development, contracting opportunity and workforce development are interconnected—and that the region’s growth should translate into broader participation in the opportunities being created.

Policy Shapes Access to Opportunity

A policy panel continued the discussion by examining how public policy, contracting requirements and government programs affect that participation.

Panelists discussed the changing policy environment surrounding minority- and women-owned business participation, the importance of effective certification and contract-compliance programs, and the need to connect smaller firms with real contracting opportunities. Their discussion reinforced Westbrooks’ point that participation goals alone are not enough without information, enforcement, business support and access to decision-makers.

Connecting Firms With Decision-Makers

The Summit’s Community Engagement and Business Opportunity Hour then gave contractors opportunities to meet directly with public agencies, developers, general contractors and other organizations involved in procurement and business development.

The program was designed to help smaller firms better understand registration, certification, supplier-diversity programs and upcoming contracting opportunities.

Using Individual Power to Elevate Others

Dr. Vincent Flewellen of Webster University returned to the Summit’s central theme in closing remarks. He urged those attending to recognize the individual power they possess and use it intentionally to elevate the people around them.

Together, Westbrooks, the policy panel and Flewellen framed the day’s challenge at several levels: Build systems that expand opportunity, make those systems work in practice and use individual influence to help others move through them.