Infrastructure Expo Draws 850; Regional Leaders Stress Cooperation to Advance Major Projects

Date Posted: February 26, 2026

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

by Tom Finan, Executive Director and Co-Founder, Construction Forum

More than 850 industry professionals, public officials, contractors, and suppliers attended the SITE Improvement Association’s STL – Investment in Infrastructure Expo Tuesday at the St. Charles Convention Center, highlighting the scale of infrastructure investment shaping the St. Louis region.

The exhibit hall reflected the full infrastructure ecosystem—from heavy equipment manufacturers and contractors to public-sector project owners such as MODOT, various municipalities, Great Rivers Greenway, and the Saint Louis Zoo.

Workforce development and safety innovation were also prominent. The Missouri–Kansas Laborers’ District Council demonstrated emerging training technology, including a virtual reality platform that allows apprentices to safely experience roadway construction hazards and understand the importance of situational awareness before entering active jobsites.

Importance of Regional Alignment

A highlight of the event was a panel moderated by Jim Wild, executive director of the East-West Gateway Council of Governments, featuring St. Charles County Executive Steve Ehlmann, Franklin County Presiding Commissioner Dave Schatz, and St. Louis County Executive Dr. Sam Page. Jeremy Bennett, executive director of SITE Improvement Association, introduced the panel by emphasizing the importance of regional alignment. “A road that stops at a county line is a driveway,” Bennett said.

All three leaders cited the planned $3.2 billion overhaul of the terminal at St. Louis Lambert International Airport as an example of infrastructure that will benefit the entire region. Schatz also pointed to improvements along the Interstate 44 corridor, strengthening Franklin County’s connectivity to regional economic centers.

Housing for Kids and Grandkids

Ehlmann highlighted growing collaboration between organized labor, business, and government, while also addressing housing challenges. “I don’t call it ‘affordable housing,’” he said. “I call it housing for our kids and grandkids.”

The rapid emergence of data centers was another key topic. “It’s like COVID,” Ehlmann said. “There is no page in the county executive playbook for data centers.”

Wild noted that East-West Gateway plays a critical role in helping regional leaders “stay focused on opportunity,” citing collaborative efforts such as the development of a regional law enforcement training center.

The event underscored both the magnitude of infrastructure investment underway and the growing recognition that regional cooperation is essential to sustaining long-term economic growth.