Stadium Talks On Hold

A plan to build a Major League Soccer stadium in St. Louis has been put on hold after the state finance board postponed a Dec. 20 meeting after the governor expressed opposition to public financing.

– MLS Stadium, St. Louis
An artist rendering shows the proposed $200 million stadium in St. Louis that interested parties hope will to attract a Major League Soccer team. The project has been under discussion regarding financing since November.

Officials with investment group SC STL were to meet with the Missouri Development Finance Board to discuss a request for $40 million in tax credits to be used for the stadium plan. However, a Dec. 19 statement released by Gov. Eric Greitens called public funding for the stadium “nothing more than welfare for millionaires.”

The statement also said the governor is open to discussing a plan to bring private investment and jobs to the state. SC STL Chairman Paul Edgerley told the Associated Press the group is looking forward to hearing the governor’s thoughts as well as explaining the project’s benefits.