St. Louis Plans to Become a Global Hub of Geospatial Tech

St. Louis stakeholders hope to build on the momentum provided by the arrival of the new western headquarters of the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency.

1 minute read

June 25, 2020, 11:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Saint Louis gateway arch and Kiener Park

rawF8 / Shutterstock

"A group of St. Louis economic development and civic leaders released a plan Tuesday detailing how the region could turn the geospatial industry into a global hub over the next 10 years," reports Corinne Ruff. 

"The plan, dubbed GeoFutures, outlines next steps for developing the workforce, infrastructure and entrepreneurship needed to attract more companies and investors in the industry," adds Ruff. 

The report is building on the momentum created by the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency's new western headquarters, under construction in north St. Louis. The campus is expected to employ 3,000 people by 2025. 

To achieve its goals of positioning St. Louis as a global hub of the geospatial industry, the GeoFutures recommends five priorities: 1) Scale up local geospatial talent and workforce development, 2) Raise innovation capacity for the commercialization of geospatial applications, 3) Increase entrepreneurship and pools of investor money, 4) Support community-driven development in neighborhoods around the new NGA West, and 5) Brand St. Louis as a global thought leader in geospatial technology.

According to the article, the GeoFutures plan is "one piece of a much larger city-backed initiative to bring economic equality and growth to St. Louis."

Tuesday, June 23, 2020 in St. Louis Public Radio

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Wastewater pouring out from a pipe.

Alabama: Trump Terminates Settlements for Black Communities Harmed By Raw Sewage

Trump deemed the landmark civil rights agreement “illegal DEI and environmental justice policy.”

April 13, 2025 - Inside Climate News

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

April 16, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Black and white photos of camp made up of small 'earthquake shacks' in Dolores Park in 1906 after the San Francisco earthquake.

The 120 Year Old Tiny Home Villages That Sheltered San Francisco’s Earthquake Refugees

More than a century ago, San Francisco mobilized to house thousands of residents displaced by the 1906 earthquake. Could their strategy offer a model for the present?

April 15, 2025 - Charles F. Bloszies

Crowds of people walking and biking along waterfront in Sunset Dunes Park in San Francisco, California on a sunny day.

San Francisco Opens Park on Former Great Highway

The Sunset Dunes park’s grand opening attracted both fans and detractors.

6 hours ago - Mission Local

Portland Oregon Bus

Oregon Legislature to Consider Transit Funding Laws

One proposal would increase the state’s payroll tax by .08% to fund transit agencies and expand service.

7 hours ago - KATU.com

Houston, Texas skyline.

Housing Vouchers as a Key Piece of Houston’s Housing Strategy

The Houston Housing Authority supports 19,000 households through the housing voucher program.

April 22 - Urban Edge