Month: July 2026

Commerce Bank is a regional super-community bank, committed to understanding customers’ needs, listening closely and providing tailored solutions. Its tagline — “Ask. Listen. Solve.” — reflects not only its approach to customer service, but also its leadership as a Leader Level participant in the 2025 St. Louis Green Business Challenge.

Sustainability is a key part of Commerce Bank’s approach to environmental stewardship, and the company achieved several meaningful accomplishments in 2025. In May, Commerce Bank hosted an e-recycling event at its Olive Boulevard location, collecting 1,780 pounds of electronics. Earlier in the year, the Green Team partnered with St. Louis Green Business Challenge resource advisor Jean Ponzi to host a webinar on ecological landscaping and Homegrown National Park, followed by a Green Team-led Eco-Expert Trivia event in July to engage employees in sustainability topics.

During the 2025 Challenge, Commerce Bank was also recognized for several innovative facility improvements. At its Clayton building, the bank reduced surface area in its parking garage, decreasing water runoff by 40% while increasing green space by 371%. The Facilities Team also identified and replaced 142 failed microinverters in its solar array, restoring full energy production capacity. Across its St. Louis and Kansas City footprint, Commerce Bank maintains solar panels on 19 buildings, generating more than 741,000 kilowatt-hours of clean, renewable energy in 2024.

In addition, renovations to the fifth and sixth floors of the bank’s 8000 Forsyth building are nearing completion and will feature a biophilic design. Incorporating elements such as wood panels, plants and expansive interior glass, the space is designed to bring natural elements indoors and enhance the workplace environment.

“The Green Business Challenge has provided us with valuable opportunities to learn each year from the programs offered to members, where companies and organizations working across the St. Louis area share their sustainability initiatives and perspectives,” said Ron Daugherty, AVP Senior Manager, Regional Facilities for Commerce Bank. “These insights and resources inspire ideas that help Commerce Bank develop events to educate our employees about environmental stewardship. Additionally, the information gained through the Challenge supports our decision-making process, ensuring that we carefully consider environmental impacts as we operate our facilities.”

Commerce Bank’s efforts extend beyond recognition in the St. Louis Green Business Challenge. Through facility upgrades, renewable energy investments and employee engagement, the company is helping reduce environmental impact and support improved air quality across the region—demonstrating how sustainable business practices can benefit both communities and the environment.

For more information about Commerce Bank or to get involved in the St. Louis Green Business Challenge, subscribe to the bi-monthly E-Newsletter or visit stlouisgreenchallenge.com.  For more on how sustainability supports better air quality, visit the Clean Air Partnership website, like us on Facebook or follow us on X @gatewaycleanair.

Representatives of the St. Clair County Transit District (SCCTD) recently joined local officials, stakeholders and nearly 100 cyclists to celebrate the grand opening of a new $6 million, 4.5-mile extension of the MetroBikeLink Trail. This milestone marks the completion of the first of three parts of the MetroLink Expansion Project to MidAmerica St. Louis Airport, with associated roadway improvements opening soon and the MetroLink extension anticipated to begin service in late summer.

For the St. Louis region, projects like this do more than expand transportation options—they also support cleaner air and healthier communities. By making it easier for residents to bike instead of drive, trails like MetroBikeLink help reduce vehicle emissions, a leading contributor to poor air quality, especially during the hot summer months.

The new trail segment runs parallel to the MetroLink alignment from the existing bike path at Shiloh-Scott Transit Center to near MidAmerica St. Louis Airport. It features scenic views, rolling inclines, three bridges, no stops and passes through Silver Creek Wetlands, home to native wildlife. The trail is ideal for cyclists looking to build speed and endurance.

Biking on trails like this is also an easy way to reduce emissions. Choosing to bike—even for part of a commute or recreational trip—helps cut down on ozone-forming pollution, which contributes to unhealthy air quality days in the region.

During the grand opening ceremony, attendees heard remarks from project partners and local leaders about the continued growth of the MetroBikeLink System and its role in enhancing connectivity and quality of life. Following the ribbon cutting, guests were invited to take part in an inaugural bike ride and explore the new trail segment.

Access to safe biking infrastructure not only improves mobility—it encourages more people to choose active transportation. Biking and walking produce zero emissions, making them effective ways to help improve air quality while supporting personal health.

Construction on the trail began in 2023 and was completed in June 2026. The project was designed through a combined effort between engineering firms WSP, TWM and EFK Moen, with elements constructed under four different contracts. SCCTD funded $5.5 million of the project, with an additional $500,000 in grants from the Metro East Park and Recreation District and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.

The MetroBikeLink Trail is the spine of a 40-mile system of interconnecting trails throughout St. Clair County. It runs adjacent to the MetroLink alignment for more than 18 miles and connects to seven Metro Transit Centers in five communities, offering seamless integration with MetroLink, MetroBus and microtransit options like the SCCTD Flyer.

“The MetroBikeLink System seamlessly links residents to our world-class transit system and expands opportunities for multimodal travel across St. Clair County,” said Ken Sharkey, managing director of SCCTD. “This momentum will only continue as we look ahead to the 5-mile MetroLink extension to MidAmerica St. Louis Airport opening in the coming months.”

To learn more about SCCTD’s MetroBikeLink System, visit SCCTD.org/MetroBikeLink.