Legislation filed in the Missouri House would allow cities to create “innovation zones,” with the purpose of spurring economic growth. The sponsor of HB 3231, State Rep. Brad Christ, R-St. Louis County, explained his bill during a Zoom call with reporters Friday.
“The (Missouri Innovation, Public Safety, and Accountability) Act authorizes the city to designate a Missouri Innovation Zone over its historic downtown, central business district, town square, or Main Street,” he said.
The proposal would require participating cities to loosen some regulations.
“It’s going to require the local policy commitments,” Christ said. “There is going to be buy-in from these local communities on some fast-track permitting, building code flexibility, permit and fee waivers or deferrals.”
In exchange, cities with innovation zones would receive a package of tax credits and other economic incentives.
“So you have a ‘move to Missouri’ incentive,” Christ said. “You have an employer retention and reinvestment aspect of it. You have the employer relocation incentive. And then there are really unique parts of this — the public safety and infrastructure reinvestment.”
Which he said would help local governments maintain and improve public safety.
A hearing on the bill is not yet scheduled, but Christ told reporters the Mo. House Commerce committee could possibly take it up at its next meeting on Feb. 16th, President’s Day.
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