Construction of NGA’s New Campus in St. Louis Continues Toward Completion

• August 15, 2024

Aptly named Next NGA West, the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency’s $1.6 billion western regional headquarters is getting finishing touches in preparation for its planned opening in 2025 in St. Louis, Missouri.

According to NGA, the Next NGA West headquarters will include advanced wireless technologies and will be built to LEED Silver standards, reflecting a strong commitment to environmental sustainability. The new campus is not only a technological hub, but also a symbol of NGA’s deepening roots in St. Louis, where it has been a fixture for over 70 years. The project is anticipated to catalyze economic growth and urban revitalization in the surrounding area.

About NGA

As the world leader in geospatial intelligence (GEOINT), NGA is responsible for collecting, analyzing, and distributing geospatial intelligence to support national security, military operations, disaster response, and global navigation. GEOINT involves the use of satellite imagery, mapping, and other geospatial data to provide insights into geographic locations and activities. NGA’s work is crucial for military planning, homeland security, and aiding in humanitarian efforts. It operates under the Department of Defense and collaborates with various intelligence and defense organizations. The agency is headquartered in Springfield, Virginia, with two major locations in St. Louis and Arnold, Missouri. 

History of NGA In St. Louis: 

NGA started as a mapping agency for the U.S. military during World War II and expanded to include advanced geospatial intelligence, supporting military operations, national security, and humanitarian missions. The agency has maintained a significant presence in St. Louis, with its headquarters serving as a central hub for geospatial intelligence activities. As repairs and updates became necessary at its south St. Louis facility, which dates back to the 1840s, the decision to build a new facility for NGA’s western headquarters was made. St. Louis has been a strategic location for NGA because of its central position in the U.S., existing infrastructure, and the city’s robust talent pool. 

In 2016, NGA announced plans to invest $1.6 billion in a new, state-of-the-art western headquarters in North St. Louis, solidifying its commitment to the region. This movereflects both the strategic importance of St. Louis in the geospatial intelligence community and the city’s growing reputation as a center for innovation and technology. The new facility, set to be operational next year, represents the latest chapter in NGA’s enduring relationship with St. Louis.

“The St. Louis city site provides NGA with the most technological, academic and professional environment,” Agency Director Robert Cardillo said. And the urban base is preferable to “attract, recruit and retain” its more than 3,000 high-tech workers.

In 2019, NGA celebrated the groundbreaking of its new campus in North St. Louis, marking a significant milestone for both the agency and the city. The state-of-the-art facility will feature 712,000 square feet of office space and is designed to foster collaboration and innovation within the geospatial intelligence community.

St. Louis Geospatial Scene: 

St. Louis’ geospatial ecosystem is rapidly becoming a national hub for geospatial technology and innovation, driven by a unique combination of government, industry, and academic collaboration. 

The new Next NGA West headquarters, just north of downtown, is conveniently located adjacent to a variety of innovative and cultural areas. NGA’s own unclassified innovation hub, Moonshot Labs  located inside T-Rex’s Geospatial Innovation Center, The Globe Building, which includes the first and the largest multi-tenant SCIF outside of Washington D.C., and the Taylor Geospatial Institute, are all located within downtown St. Louis. These vibrant startup and innovation districts are all in close proximity to the new Next NGA West headquarters, as are the cultural and sporting areas of the Central West End, Forest Park, Grand Center and Clark Avenue. Next NGA West will also be located in the center of three top universities, Washington University in St. Louis, Saint Louis University and the University of Missouri-St. Louis.

As NGA embarks on this new chapter, the facility is poised to become a cornerstone of the city’s burgeoning geospatial ecosystem, driving innovation and security efforts for years to come.For more details, visit the groundbreaking announcement.