A former steel factory in St. Louis is being converted into a new business park thanks in part to New Markets Tax Credits provided by Central Bank of Kansas City. The site, now vacant, has a long history going back to 1870, when it began operations as a steel factory. It later served as a coal gasification and coke production facility until 1987, when it was abandoned. Now, developer Green Street St. Louis is revitalizing the site with an approximately $70 million makeover. Steve Kramer, U.S. Bancorp CDC’s senior vice president, said redeveloping the site has been a goal of city officials since the late 1990s, but Central Bank of Kansas City's New Markets contribution was key to getting the project underway.