A U.S. spy agency seeking a new $1.6 billion home for its western regional headquarters expects to remain in St. Louis rather than move to the city’s Illinois suburbs. The National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency announced Thursday the preferred location for the project is a blighted north St. Louis area that city leaders hope will see an economic turnaround.
That’s a setback to efforts by Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner and others to lure the complex to near Scott Air Force Base in St. Clair County.
Agency director Robert Cardillo says an urban location is preferable to “attract, recruit and retain” the more than 3,000 high-tech workers.
Thursday’s announcement was cheered by Missouri U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill and Governor Jay Nixon, both Democrats, as a bipartisan victory for St. Louis economic development. Sen. McCaskill released the following statement:
“I’m thrilled that the NGA has decided to keep its more than 3,000 employees and its proud 72-year legacy on the front lines of American intelligence right here in Missouri where it belongs. This is great news for the skilled and dedicated workforce at NGA, and for the entire St. Louis region—where it’ll be a boon to a community that’s already making enormous economic strides with a number of urban revitalization programs. I’m glad NGA leadership and the Administration listened to our sustained, bipartisan arguments for the benefits of the unparalleled infrastructure, experience, and the talented workforce Missouri provides to continue the NGA’s critical mission of protecting our national security.”
McCaskill says she personally urged President Obama, the Secretary of Defense, and the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to recognize the North St. Louis site as the best place for NGA operations.
McCaskill, along with Republican Senator Roy Blunt, recently penned an op-ed in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch on the importance of the NGA to Missouri. Last year, the two wrote to the director of the NGA, urging the agency to keep its operations in Missouri as it evaluated sites for the relocation of its St. Louis-based operation.
Sen. Blunt issued this statement on his Web site:
“Director Robert Cardillo and the NGA made the right decision in selecting North St. Louis as the preferred site for the new NGA West campus. Missouri is home to more than 3,000 dedicated, highly-skilled NGA personnel who, for more than 70 years, have provided critical intelligence and combat support to keep Americans safe. The North St. Louis location will allow the NGA to continue its mission, and recruit the next generation of intelligence professionals seeking the type of urban, car-optional lifestyle the city provides. In addition, the North St. Louis site provides unparalleled access to graduate school opportunities and high-tech neighbors, is a designated Promise Zone, and is convenient to Lambert Airport and the NGA’s other facility in Arnold, Mo.
“The leadership of Mayor Slay, Senator McCaskill, Congressman Clay, and leaders in Jefferson City has been essential and united. Our continued support during the comment period will be important.”
Governor Jay Nixon called it a great day for St. Louis and a “shining example of what is possible when Missourians work together across regional and party lines for the good of their communities.
“The NGA’s decision is a testament to the city’s innovative workforce and infrastructure, and the tireless leadership of Mayor Slay, our entire congressional delegation, the Missouri Department of Economic Development and the many other business and civic leaders who were involved in this effort. I also want to thank members of the Missouri General Assembly for passing legislation last year to support the development of the north St. Louis site and pave the way for this transformational investment in the region’s future.”