The National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) is preparing to open its state-of-the-art “NGA West” campus just north of downtown St. Louis in late September. This milestone concludes nearly ten years of planning and construction aimed at expanding and modernizing the agency’s presence in the Midwest.
The $1.7 billion facility represents the largest federal investment in St. Louis history. It is set to replace the NGA’s current site downtown and serve as a cornerstone for the agency’s geospatial intelligence operations. Despite nationwide budget constraints and workforce reductions during the Trump administration, the project has remained on schedule.
Vice Admiral Frank Whitworth, NGA Director, confirmed the facility’s anticipated opening during testimony last week before the House Armed Services Committee’s Strategic Forces Subcommittee. “We have been giving tours to our workforce. They’re getting excited,” Whitworth said, emphasizing the campus’s role in fostering collaboration across sectors.
Designed to encourage partnerships among the federal government, private industry, and academic institutions, the NGA West campus aims to become a driving force in geospatial intelligence (GEOINT) innovation. Whitworth praised the project as a prime example of cross-sector cooperation to support national security and technological advancement.
The announcement comes as the GEOINT Symposium takes place at the downtown St. Louis convention center, drawing leaders in satellite imaging, data analytics, mapping technologies, and national security. NGA’s growing regional influence is a central topic at this year’s event.
NGA currently employs more than 3,000 individuals in the St. Louis region. Since the agency first unveiled plans for the new campus in 2016, local leaders have promoted it as a catalyst for transforming the city into a national hub for geospatial science and innovation.
GEOINT involves collecting and analyzing imagery, maps, and other forms of location-based data to better understand the Earth’s physical and human environments. This intelligence is vital to military operations, disaster response, and global logistics.
At the congressional hearing, Representative Wesley Bell (D-Mo.) highlighted the facility’s potential to attract top talent and investment to the region. “The NGA West campus is positioning St. Louis as a key player in the future of national security and tech-driven economic development,” he said.
To support the growing demand for a skilled geospatial workforce, Senator Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.) has introduced legislation aimed at funding training programs in GEOINT-related fields.
Whitworth also noted the increasing importance of space-based data in geospatial intelligence, pointing to recent advancements in satellite systems. He underscored NGA’s collaboration with the U.S. Space Force, including the creation of a joint mission management center intended to streamline intelligence operations and improve real-time analysis.
As the opening of NGA West approaches, the agency is signaling its commitment to a long-term strategy that integrates government resources, academic research, and private-sector innovation to define the next era of U.S. geospatial intelligence.