Tina Siebert for Missouri REALTORS® Treasurer-Elect - Economic Development

Why I Care So Deeply About Economic Development in Missouri

I don’t work in commercial real estate—but I have a deep respect for those who do.

Early in my career, I tried to help a neighborhood business with a lease. It didn’t take long for me to realize I didn’t have the education or experience needed to do that work well. That moment stuck with me. It also clarified something important: while commercial real estate isn’t my wheelhouse, economic development absolutely is my passion.

If Missouri is going to thrive—statewide, city by city, neighborhood by neighborhood—we must always be intentional about supporting and growing our economic footprint.

Learning Economic Development at the Neighborhood Level

In 2010, I attended a neighborhood association meeting simply because I wanted to be more involved in the community where I grew up and later bought a home just four blocks away. Like many REALTORS® before me, I was promptly voluntold that I should join the Board Leadership team. Feeling the pressure of the room, I agreed to put my name in—and was elected Member-At-Large.

That role became my first real exposure to economic development up close.

We met with new businesses looking to move into the neighborhood. We listened to neighbors when businesses were acting out of step with community expectations. And we saw, firsthand, the direct correlation between thriving businesses and happy neighbors. As I moved into leadership—eventually serving as Vice President and then President after a resignation—I made it my mission to highlight what made our neighborhood special and why people and businesses should choose to invest in Southampton.

Economic development isn’t abstract. It’s personal. It’s local.

Seeing the Bigger Picture Through REALTOR® Leadership

My involvement with St. Louis REALTORS® expanded that perspective even further. I had the privilege of chairing the Urban Affairs Committee—twice—which gave me the opportunity to engage deeply with issues affecting the City of St. Louis. We brought in elected officials, community leaders, nonprofits, and business owners, and we intentionally held meetings inside the communities and organizations we were discussing.

Those experiences reinforced something I strongly believe: REALTORS® must be advocates—not just for housing, but for the economic vitality of the places we serve.

Serving on the Board of Directors, the Executive Team, and later as 2024 President allowed me to engage with the broader business community on behalf of REALTORS®. We worked within a regional economic framework spanning 15 counties across Missouri and Illinois. I attended countless events, policy discussions, and even participated in a lobby day in Jefferson City—each one underscoring how interconnected real estate, business growth, infrastructure, and workforce development truly are.

Economic Development at the State Level Matters—A Lot

When I became involved with Missouri REALTORS®, I immediately gravitated toward the Economic Development Output Group—and eventually had the honor of chairing it. Those meetings energize me every time.

We bring together people who are actively shaping Missouri’s future. I almost always walk out having learned something new—about a project launching in a rural community, a revitalization effort in an urban core, or a policy change that could unlock growth statewide. Sometimes we also have hard conversations about what’s holding Missouri back. Both are necessary.

REALTORS® must have a seat at the table when economic development decisions are being made.

We understand land use. We show up at zoning and adjustment meetings. We see how policies translate into real-world outcomes for families, businesses, and neighborhoods. And we are uniquely positioned to be the loudest, most informed cheerleaders for our colleagues across every industry.

Why This Matters to Me

Economic development isn’t about buildings alone—it’s about opportunity, stability, and community pride. From neighborhood association meetings to statewide committees, I’ve seen how thoughtful growth can lift everyone.

That’s why I care so deeply about Missouri’s economic future. And that’s why I’ll continue to advocate, learn, and lead—wherever I’m able—to help our state thrive.