A new innovation center being built in Alton has tapped the leader of regional technology group TechSTL to manage its operations.
The Wedge Innovation Center, slated to open in November, has named Emily Hemingway as executive director. Hemingway is also TechSTL’s executive director, a role she will continue to hold.
The Wedge Innovation Center is being led by AltonWorks, a redevelopment firm seeking to revitalize Alton’s downtown business districts, as part of a $30 million project. It involves renovating the former Wedge and Elgen buildings on the 600 block of East Broadway into the Wedge Innovation Center, envisioned as a hub to provide support, mentorship and access to funding to businesses and entrepreneurs. It will include 15,000-square-feet of office space designed for use by startups, later-stage companies and remote workers.
Hemingway said her role as the Wedge’s executive director will help to broaden the geographic reach of TechSTL, which launched in 2022. TechSTL is the membership-based technology council that focuses on providing the metro with a forum to advance St. Louis’ technology and innovation sectors. Initially launched through the St. Louis Development Corp., TechSTL recently spun out as its own independent, 501(c)(6) nonprofit. Hemingway said the contract to manage the Wedge allows TechSTL to have an office both at both the Alton innovation center and T-Rex entrepreneurship center in downtown St. Louis.
“It felt really good for me because it gives us the opportunity to have more activity in Illinois and start driving more of the rural conversation,” Hemingway said. “The contract is supporting the expansion of TechSTL initiatives and programming to now be able to have a larger portion of that being directed toward the Metro East side of the river.”
Hemingway said TechSTL’s operations will continue as usual as she steps into her role with the Wedge. TechSTL has taken on contract partnerships in the past, including managing Venture Cafe St. Louis until it shut down in December.
The partnership with the Wedge highlights TechSTL’s ambition to broaden its programming across the St. Louis region now that it’s a standalone entity, Hemingway said.
“We’re expanding our partnership with all the surrounding counties now that we’re no longer working under the city,” she said.
At the Wedge, Hemingway will be responsible for leading the new center’s strategy and operations, spearheading functions that include sponsorships, programming and leasing.
“Adding Emily to the Wedge team is a real coup for AltonWorks,” John Simmons, AltonWorks CEO and chairman of Alton-based law firm Simmons Hanly Conroy LLC. “There are dozens of technology networks across the bi-state area. When the people within those networks collaborate for the betterment of the entire region, their impact magnifies opportunity for everyone. Emily will bring her expertise, networks and know-how to Alton and southern Illinois to assist in helping us launch the many innovative programs we have planned to increase jobs, businesses, and opportunities to the people of Alton and beyond.”
In addition to supporting startups and housing companies, the Wedge aims to be a workforce training center and “digital hub” for a $20 million fiber route in Alton. Plans also call for the facility to include two restaurants.
BSI Constructors is the general contractor on the project. Development of the Wedge is being funded with bank financing, private investment, state grants and historic tax credits. The project was also approved for tax increment financing by the city of Alton.
