The Arch City Report

When a new presidential administration takes office, policy shifts can ripple through the business world in unexpected ways. This week, reporter Jim Drew joins the show to share the story of Chrysalis Biosciences — a company that, at the start of 2024, was poised to transform a shuttered ethanol plant in Sauget, Illinois into a production facility for renewable jet fuel. With a landmark investment from a $200 million sustainable aviation fuel fund led by Airbus, the future looked bright.But after Donald Trump returned to the White House, the Biden-era support for sustainable fuels evaporated, investors lost interest, and Chrysalis was forced to pivot. Erik and Jim break down how changes to federal tax credits, carbon intensity scoring, and the Inflation Reduction Act reshaped the playing field — not just for Chrysalis, but for ethanol producers nationwide. Plus, we explore the company's next chapter: a two-part strategy to restart conventional ethanol production while building new fermentation technology to manufacture biopolymers and surfactants, potentially adding 100 jobs to the Metro East economy.Then, events director Dana Dhom stops by to preview the St. Louis Business Journal's upcoming events, including the Fast 50 Awards on September 24th at City Winery and the 40 Under 40 Awards on November 5th at FanDuel Sports Live in Ballpark Village — plus a look ahead at upcoming panel discussions on the city-county merger question and the future of downtown St. Louis.Read Jim Drew's full reporting on Chrysalis Biosciences at bizjournals.com/stlouis.See the full SBJ events calendar here

rban Chestnut Brewing was one of St. Louis's most beloved craft beer brands — until debt, the pandemic, and shifting consumer trends drove it into bankruptcy. Entrepreneur Brian Travers, who acquired the brewery in early 2025, joins host Erik Siemers to discuss how he's steering it toward stability.Topics covered:- How his years as an Urban Chestnut regular during COVID led him to acquire the company out of bankruptcy- Why he kept the original leadership team, including CEO Dave Wolf, largely intact- Acquiring O'Fallon Brewing and other regional beer brands to build a larger beverage platform- Urban Chestnut's expansion beyond German-style lagers with the new Squirrel Works hazy IPA line- Plans to grow into ready-to-drink cocktails and other beverage categories- Why brand strength and consolidation, not category growth, will define craft beer's next era- New locations, including the O'Fallon, Illinois food hall, and wholesale expansion into Tennessee and ChicagoThis episode is brought to you by Maryville University and Cass Commercial Bank.Read more about Urban Chestnut's growth strategy:Former MLB base factory reopens as food hall near Illinois youth sports complex

What does it take to transform a neighborhood and, ultimately, a city? In this special Arch City Report episode, we share highlights from a live panel featuring Build-A-Bear founder Maxine Clark, WashU executive Brian Phillips and East Loop CID leader Samantha Smugala. Hear the stories behind Delmar Divine, The Grove and the Delmar Loop, plus a candid discussion on whether St. Louis can follow Detroit’s comeback blueprint and what real placemaking success requires.

Habitat for Humanity St. Louis is breaking ground on a 40-home development in the Vandeventer neighborhood — one of the largest housing projects North St. Louis has seen in decades. Host Erik talks with CEO Kimberly McKinney about how the $17 million, tax-credit-backed project came together, how the May 2025 tornado accelerated the need, and what it takes to turn vacant city land into an affordable, thriving neighborhood.Supporting sponsors: Maryville University and Cass Commercial Bank.SHOW LINKS:St. Louis nonprofit breaks ground on affordable housing project backed by $17M in tax creditsSt. Louis development agency taps unique financing tool for 40-home development

Gateway Regional Medical Center in Granite City has stood for over 120 years, but its 600+ employees recently missed a paycheck. Business Journal reporter Nathan Rubbelke joins Erik to unpack how the hospital's Los Angeles-based owner, American Healthcare Systems, fell behind on payroll, racked up over $2.6 million in delinquent property taxes, and lost hospital properties at a tax sale — all while its co-founders are locked in a bitter legal battle accusing each other of misappropriating funds, including a mysterious $4.5 million in state supplemental funding. The conversation traces Gateway's journey from a nun-run Catholic hospital to a bankruptcy sale to AHS ownership, and explores the broader financial squeeze facing safety-net hospitals serving low-income, Medicaid-dependent communities across the country.Show Links:Gateway Regional Medical Center faces tax sales and legal rift as owner provides $1M loan