Senate Leaders Applaud the Preferred Decision of the NGA to Stay in Missouri
They Also Thank the Efforts of Local and State Leaders in Pursuing the Agency
JEFFERSON CITY— Senate leaders applaud the preferred decision of the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) to stay in St. Louis City. The agency announced the decision this week and stated the St. Louis location would provide the most technological, academic, and professional environment for the agency to develop.
Senate Leader Ron Richard, R-Joplin, said the NGA’s decision to stay in St. Louis was made possible by the efforts of local and state leaders.
“Without the help of Mayor Francis Slay, Sen. Roy Blunt, and State Sen. Joe Keaveny, this project would not have been possible, and I’m very thankful for their efforts” said Richard. “The NGA’s next generation will be able to live and work in St. Louis City. Staying in the area will bring a huge economic development advantage to the entire state.”
The National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency provides crucial geospatial, or map-based, intelligence to the military, policymakers, first responders, and intelligence professionals. The agency, which pays an average salary of $83,000, already employs more than 3,000 people, and two-thirds of those employees live in Missouri.
“This north city site will provide the agency a well-connected location close to businesses, education, and technology that is critical to national defense,” said Majority Floor Leader Mike Kehoe, R-Jefferson City. “This gives them a great opportunity to grow and meet their future needs.”
“The NGA’s preliminary decision is a huge win for both the St. Louis area as well as the state,” said Sen. Eric Schmitt, R-Glendale. “I am thankful for their decision, and I look forward to the next step.”
The NGA plans to build the new state-of-the-art West facility just northwest of downtown. The agency plans to move to the new facility in 2021. The public has 15 days to provide any additional comments ending on April 16, 2016.
For more on the agency and their move, visit http://nextngawest.com/site/.
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Lauren Hieger, Senate Majority Caucus Communications Director
(573) 751-7266 – lauren.hieger@senate.mo.gov