(St. Louis Public Radio) How 39 North is keeping St. Louis at the forefront of agtech innovation

Just one year after a nonprofit was established to run the 39 North AgTech Innovation District, the organization has made strides to further solidify
St. Louis’ reputation as a national and global leader in the agriculture sector.

Some of the key developments include the expansion of the nonprofit’s staff and the opening of a dedicated physical space for the innovation district’s headquarters, said 39 North Executive Director Emily Lohse-Busch. Establishing a physical location was especially front of mind when the nonprofit launched, she added.

Physical places to gather are the kind of feature that's a hallmark of a thriving innovation district, said Stephanie Regagnon, executive director of Innovation Partnerships at the Danforth Plant Science Center.

“That’s a big part of community building,” she said. “For people to gather, network and hopefully form the spontaneous partnerships that can only happen when you’re in person, you really need spaces to do that.”

The 39 North Collaboration Hub will occupy a little more than 10,000 square feet of unused space at the EDGE@BRDG alongside Benson Hill’s headquarters on North Warson Road, she said.

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