Notice of Funding Availability St. Louis Main Streets Program

Location:	Missouri
Posted:	Apr 15, 2026
Due:	May 18, 2026
Agency:	City of St. Louis
Type of Government:	State & Local
Category:	99 - Miscellaneous
Publication URL:	To access bid details, please log in.

Sponsor: St. Louis Development Corporation

Procurement Type: Notice of Funding Availability

Starting Date: 04-15-2026

Summary

This Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) announces the availability of up to $350,000 of funding from St. Louis Development Corporation (SLDC) to support the operations and program delivery of up to three St. Louis Main Streets programs. SLDC is seeking proposals to implement the St. Louis Main Streets program within the three St. Louis Main Streets districts.

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NOTICE OF FUNDING AVAILABILITY

FOR

ST. LOUIS MAIN STREETS PROGRAM

NOFA OPENING DATE: April 15, 2026

NOFA CLOSING DATE: May 18, 2026

St. Louis Development Corporation

1520 Market Street, Suite 2000

St. Louis, MO 63103

Phone: (314) 657-3700

Fax: (314) 613-7011

www.developstlouis.org

ESTIMATED SCHEDULE (SUBJECT TO CHANGE):

Date

April 15, 2026

May 8, 2026

May 11, 2026

May 18, 2026

May 19, 2026

June 18, 2026

TBD

Milestone

Notice of Funding Availability released

Deadline to submit questions on the NOFA

Responses to questions posted

Responses due by 4:00 pm (central time)

Response review process begins

Recommendations presented to SLDC Board

SLDC Board considers recommendations for approval

Funding made available

PURPOSE; INTRODUCTION; BACKGROUND

Notice of Funding Availability

This Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) announces the availability of up to $350,000 of funding from

St. Louis Development Corporation (SLDC) to support the operations and program delivery of up to three

St. Louis Main Streets programs. SLDC is seeking proposals to implement the St. Louis Main Streets

program within the three St. Louis Main Streets districts.

The funds will be made available from general SLDC revenues.

This is an expansion of SLDC’s 2024 pilot program to help organizations build their capacity to deliver

valuable economic development programs and services across the City of St. Louis.

Funds are expected to be made available in the third calendar quarter of 2026, with all eligible

disbursements to be made by December 31, 2027. Successful applicants will be asked to enter into a

grant agreement with SLDC, which will include certain reporting and other compliance requirements.

Applicants must review all sections of this NOFA for detailed eligibility requirements, allowable uses of

funds, application instructions, evaluation criteria, and reporting obligations.

Background and Project Description

SLDC is the independent economic development agency serving the City of St. Louis, Missouri, existing

to empower, develop, and transform St. Louis through a vibrant, just, and growing economy where all

people can thrive. As we evolve, redefine, and reimagine economic development for the next generation,

SLDC expects to achieve significant social and financial returns. The result is expanding the tax base,

improving the economic, health, and educational outcomes for every existing resident of St. Louis, and

attracting new residents.

Under one of its many efforts, SLDC supports Missouri’s accredited Main Street Connection program, a

comprehensive downtown revitalization program launched in 1977 by the National Trust for Historic

Preservation. Through the Main Street Approach™, Missouri Main Street Connection integrates four

points - Organization, Economic Vitality, Design, and Promotion - into a practical downtown management

strategy intended to produce fundamental changes in a community’s economic base while preserving its

historic commercial buildings and the community’s unique heritage.

Organization: Building a strong foundation for the revitalization effort by cultivating

partnerships, community involvement, leadership development, fundraising, and

advocacy.

Economic Vitality: Strengthening the district’s economy by supporting existing

businesses, encouraging new businesses, diversifying the mix of goods and services,

and facilitating property development.

Design: Enhancing the physical and visual assets of the district, such as improving the

streetscape, signage, lighting, landscaping, and historic buildings.

Promotion: Creating a positive image of the district and attracting customers, investors,

and visitors through events, marketing, branding, and social media.

In 2019, the Missouri Main Street Connection established the St. Louis Main Streets program, which

combined the Main Street Approach™ and the UrbanMain™ program to guide comprehensive

revitalization efforts in three designated pilot areas in the city. The pilot received additional funding in

2021, to support operations through 2023.

In 2023, Missouri Main Street Connection identified several challenges with advancing its four-point

strategy, including managing issues of crime, safety, cleanliness, parking, traffic, and homelessness that

may deter customers and investors; engaging and representing the diverse and often marginalized

stakeholders of the district, such as residents, business owners, property owners, workers, and visitors;

and securing adequate funding, resources, and support from public and private sectors for the

revitalization efforts.

Missouri Main Street Connection also identified an opportunity for stronger public-private partnership with

each Main Street district to accomplish their specific goals and priorities for the short and long-term.

Given SLDC’s ongoing commitment to the Missouri Main Street Connection and the St. Louis Main

Streets program, the organization wishes to publish this NOFA to support the three designated Main

Street organizations in St. Louis: Delmar Main Street, Dutchtown Main Streets, and Laclede’s Landing

Main Street. The funding would help the organization’s operational, administrative, and programmatic

needs to advance small business capacity building, to enhance the physical and visual assets of the

district, and to foster equitable entrepreneurship development and business recruitment within the

district’s boundaries and adjacent neighborhoods that impact the success in the district. For purposes of

this NOFA, “adjacent neighborhoods that impact the success in the district” means operational,

administrative, and programmatic support of businesses in adjacent neighborhoods to the extent the

purpose advances the work of the district and is consistent with the scope and authorization of this

NOFA. Businesses that receive funding from a recipient district as a result of this NOFA must be located

in the City of St. Louis, maintain the necessary licenses and permits, stay in good standing with the city,

and keep consistent hours of operation.

The funding for this NOFA comes from revenue earned by SLDC from interest.

SLDC anticipates awarding funds under this NOFA to one or more St. Louis Main Streets organizations

as designated by the Missouri Main Street Connection program. Each St. Louis Main Streets district that

meets the eligibility requirements outlined in this NOFA is invited to submit an application. Only St. Louis

Main Streets organizations that submit a complete application will be considered for funding.

II.

POINT OF CONTACT

Questions concerning this NOFA must be submitted in writing to Dontrinia Baxton, baxtond@stlouis-

mo.gov, not later than May 8, 2026. Contact with any other SLDC employees regarding this NOFA may

disqualify the submission.

SLDC will maintain a list of all firms or individuals requesting copies of the NOFA and make copies of all

questions and responses available in writing to each listed firm upon request. SLDC will also post

answers publicly on its website.

After the submission deadline passes, all questions about status must be made to the contact person

described above. No information submitted after the response deadline, whether verbally or in writing

(including email), will be incorporated into the applicable submission.

III. SUBMISSION DETAILS

All submissions must be sent to Dontrinia Baxton, baxtond@stlouis-mo.gov, by May 18, 2026, at

4:00 pm (central time). Late submissions will not be considered.

Submissions will be evaluated based on qualifications, relevance to SLDC’s mission, and overall value.

One or more grants may be awarded as a result of this NOFA process as is appropriate to meet the

needs of SLDC; however, issuing this NOFA does not obligate SLDC to select or award any contracts or

be responsible for any costs incurred in preparing submissions. This NOFA process is not an offer of

engagement and should not be construed as such.

SLDC reserves the right to interview or call for a presentation from any respondent submitting a response

to this NOFA. SLDC also reserves the right to discuss the proposals with any or all respondents and

request additional information from any respondent during the selection and contracting process. SLDC

also reserves the right to reject any or all proposals for any reason, in its sole discretion; to select one or

more respondents; to cancel the NOFA process; to modify the NOFA process; and to waive formalities or

informalities in the proposals and in the proposal process.

As the party issuing the NOFA, SLDC can also waive any non-material irregularities or defects in any

submission; change or modify any NOFA elements, requirements, and schedules; modify, suspend, or

terminate any aspect of the NOFA process; and waive any defects of the NOFA.

All submitted materials will become the property of SLDC and may become public documents at any time

during the selection process and after it. Any documents submitted in response to this NOFA may

become public if and when submitted to any advisory or legislative public body or pursuant to the Missouri

Sunshine Law.

By submitting a response to this NOFA, each respondent acknowledges having read this NOFA in

its entirety and agrees to all terms and conditions set out in this NOFA.

IV. REQUIRED PROPOSAL CONTENTS

Interested respondents should submit the following to meet the requirements of this NOFA:

1. Cover letter: A brief introduction to the respondent’s skills, experience, and approach to Main

Street revitalization. The cover letter should be signed by a party authorized to submit the

proposal on behalf of the respondent.

2. Organizational information, background, and capability: A meaningful description of the

organization, verification of its status as a certified St. Louis Main Street organization, its

qualifications, and the available resources to complete the scope of work within the specified

timeframe. This should include resumes for key individuals, their contact information, and a

detailed account of the respondent’s ability to execute the proposed activities. . The

organization’s strengths and capabilities should be clearly outlined.

3. Explanation of how the funds will be used: A detailed and comprehensive explanation of how

the funding will be used to carry out the transformational strategies set by the St. Louis Main

Street program, as further established by Missouri Main Street Connection. This section should

include:

○ A clear plan for specific improvements, programs, services, developments, or other

activities to be funded.

○ How each proposed activity aligns with the approved plan and overall purpose of the

program.

○ Measurable objectives, timelines, and expected outcomes for each activity.

○ Identification of resources, staff, or partnerships that will support successful

implementation.

○ A strategy for tracking progress and documenting impact, including: Quarterly progress

updates on funded activities (such as funds spent to date versus awarded, planned use

of remaining funds, key accomplishments, challenges, adjustments, etc.), metrics tied to

SLDC priorities, a final report summarizing measurable outcomes

○

This plan should demonstrate that the funding will be applied in a structured, strategic way to

advance St. Louis Main Street revitalization, enhance the district’s assets, and achieve

sustainable outcomes. SLDC encourages respondents to propose catalytic projects that

maximize impact and drive sustainable long-term benefits for the district.

4. Explanation of impact: A clear explanation of how the proposal will advance the goals and

objectives of the St. Louis Main Street program, including how it will lead to measurable, district-

level impact. The respondent should clearly outline how their proposed activities will create

positive, fair, and sustainable change within the district including measurable benefits to small

business, community stakeholders, and the district’s overall vitality.

5. Relevant projects: Examples of previous work that demonstrate the respondent’s experience

with similar projects. Each project example should include the client’s name, a project description,

the role of the team members, and the actual or expected completion date.

6. References: At least three project or professional references relating to work performed in the

City of St. Louis.

7. Acknowledgment of prevailing wage and benefits: Include a statement acknowledging the

minimum prevailing wage and the minimum prevailing fringe benefits required. See Living Wage

and Service Contract Prevailing Wage provisions in Section VI below.

8. Evidence of minimum qualifications: Respondent must provide proof of the following items:

● Registration with the Missouri Secretary of State as the appropriate business entity.

● Current City of St. Louis Business License or Letter of Indefinite Exemption issued by the

License Collector Office of the City of St. Louis.

● No suspension or debarment from receiving federal, state, or local grant funding.

● Capacity to provide detailed grant administration, reporting, and documentation

consistent with SLDC requirements including tracking metrics and submitting structured

progress and final reports.

● Organizational ability to manage risk and liabilities, including a strong governance

structure, insurance coverage, and financial stability.

● Experience administering grant funds with robust records management and financial

accounting systems

● Demonstrated capacity to implement catalytic projects with measurable, district-level

impact.

● Evidence of sufficient staffing and qualified personnel to execute the proposed activities.

● Experience working with partners, community stakeholders, or other organizations to

advance project goals.

● Current status on all City taxes and business licenses, with all required licenses in good

standing to obtain and maintain CBI (Confidential Business Information) clearance.

● Ability to ensure and maintain compliance with all funding requirements, including local,

state, and federal laws and regulations.

EVALUATION PROCESS AND REVIEW CRITERIA

SLDC will convene an evaluation committee in accordance with its procurement policy to evaluate each

response submitted by a respondent. The selection committee will consider, at a minimum, each

respondent’s ability to demonstrate that it has provided the Required Proposal Contents described in

Section IV of this NOFA.

This is the opportunity summary page. It provides an overview of this opportunity and a preview of the attached documentation.

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Notice of Funding Availability St. Louis Main Streets Program

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