SLDC Hires Exec to Lead Neighborhood Implementation, Corridor Revitalization, Small Business Empowerment

The St. Louis Development Corporation (SLDC) has hired T. Christopher Peoples as Vice President of Place-Based Initiatives.  

The Vice President of Place-Based Initiatives is responsible for leading SLDC’s neighborhood implementation, corridor revitalization, and small business empowerment strategies across the City of St. Louis.

Peoples will oversee SLDC’s geographically focused implementation work through a team of Neighborhood Managers while also providing executive leadership for SLDC’s small business empowerment ecosystem, including the Northside Economic Empowerment Center (NEEC), technical assistance initiatives, neighborhood business support programs, corridor activation efforts, and related entrepreneurship and capacity-building initiatives.

This role ensures SLDC operates as a coordinated implementation platform that advances neighborhood economic development through aligned investments, strategic partnerships, business support systems and catalytic projects.

Peoples is an accomplished community-based economic development executive with over 20 years of experience in urban planning, strategic planning, policy administration, program implementation, revitalization, land development and real estate management.

Peoples most recently served as director of equity and economic impact for Great Rivers Greenway and acting executive director of Brickline North Community Development Corporation. He also has served on several civic and community volunteer boards, such as the Local Development Company (LDC) and Project Connect, two entities staffed by SLDC, and the City of St. Louis’ Tornado Recovery Advisory Committee, Strategic Land Use Plan and Zoning Upgrade Plan.

Peoples will start with SLDC in November.