ST. LOUIS, Mo. – (October 8, 2025 — The National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) has officially opened its new $1.7 billion western regional headquarters, known as Next NGA West, in St. Louis, Missouri. The state-of-the-art campus marks the largest single federal investment in St. Louis history and represents a major milestone in both the agency’s evolution and the city’s transformation into a national hub for geospatial innovation.
The new facility, built to LEED Silver standards, integrates advanced wireless technologies and sustainable design features that reflect NGA’s ongoing commitment to innovation, security, and environmental responsibility.
“The St. Louis site provides NGA with the most technological, academic, and professional environment,” said NGA Director Robert Cardillo. “This urban location helps us attract, recruit, and retain top-tier technical talent to support our mission.”
The opening ceremony, led by NGA Director VADM Frank Whitworth, included distinguished guests such as Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe, St. Louis Mayor Cara Spencer, Rep. Rick Crawford, and former Senator Roy Blunt, among others.
As a cornerstone of the St. Louis geospatial ecosystem, Next NGA West joins a rapidly growing network of innovation and research institutions, including Moonshot Labs at T-REX’s Geospatial Innovation Center, the Taylor Geospatial Institute, and The Globe Building, home to the largest multi-tenant SCIF outside Washington, D.C.
“This campus is more than a facility—it’s an investment in St. Louis’ future,” said VADM Whitworth. “Next NGA West strengthens our partnership with local industry, academia, and government while advancing national security and geospatial innovation.”
For over 70 years, NGA has maintained a significant presence in St. Louis, supporting military operations, national security, and humanitarian efforts through geospatial intelligence (GEOINT) — the use of satellite imagery, mapping, and data analytics to understand global activity. The new campus solidifies NGA’s commitment to the region and the city’s emergence as a national leader in geospatial technology and defense innovation.
For more information, visit NGA.mil.
