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Key Takeaways
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Program secured by U.S. Senator Eric Schmitt as part of National Defense Authorization Act
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Millions in federal funds for workforce program could be administered by NGA West in St. Louis
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Advances strategic priority of GeoFutures Strategic Roadmap to scale up geospatial talent and workforce
ST. LOUIS – St. Louis’ growing geospatial sector could receive a significant boost in its efforts to establish a geospatial workforce hub as the United States Senate has passed the National Geospatial Innovation Hub Advancement Act as part of the National Defense Authorization Act. The U.S. House has already passed the NDAA, which now moves to President Biden for his signature.
“There’s no reason to believe that St. Louis can’t become the geospatial hub of the country, and I’m working to accomplish that exact goal,” said U.S. Senator Eric Schmitt.
Senator Schmitt led the effort to ensure the “Geospatial Workforce Pilot Program” was included in the NDAA, and according to his office, the program would assess the feasibility of establishing a program to develop a skilled workforce in geospatial technologies, methodologies, and capabilities to support the defense intelligence requirements of the Department of Defense. The pilot program could potentially be housed at NGA West.
In August of this year, Schmitt hosted a roundtable meeting in St. Louis with geospatial industry leaders to unveil his plan for the program, designed to attract more talent to St. Louis and establish St. Louis as a hub for defense technology. “We have an opportunity to make, I think St. Louis, the defense tech capital of the United States,” Schmitt told attendees at the roundtable.
The National Geospatial Innovation Hub Advancement Act
The National Geospatial Innovation Hub Advancement Act provides millions in funding to administer the program, which is likely to be administered by NGA West in St. Louis.
Programming could include:
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Partnering with local and regional educational institutions to develop curriculum and training modules tailored to geospatial technology skills
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Engaging with industry partners to ensure the training meets current and future workforce demands
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Providing funding and resources for training facilities, instructors, and materials
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Monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of the training programs
“We want to thank Senator Schmitt for his leadership and commitment to advancing St. Louis’ goal of becoming the world’s hub for geospatial technology,” said Sam Murphey, GSL Chief Strategy Officer. “Passing Senator Schmitt’s legislation was a priority for GSL’s Policy Advisory Board, and we are excited to see this investment from the federal government to help our geospatial sector take this next step.”
Advancing GeoFutures Strategic Priorities
The GeoFutures Strategic Roadmap – the St. Louis region’s action plan to advance the geospatial sector here – calls for the scaling up of talent and workforce development to meet geospatial industry demand as one of its five strategic priorities.
Additionally, GeoFutures’ Talent Initiative Working Group, led by former NGA Director Vice Adm. Robert Sharp, plans to conduct a talent and workforce programming landscape assessment in 2025, that will enable the region’s geospatial ecosystem to hit the ground running on putting the federal funds to good strategic use.
“This funding and the new workforce hub address key strategic priorities called out in the GeoFutures Strategic Roadmap, and we look forward to working with Senator Schmitt, NGA leaders, and geospatial partners from across the metro to move things forward,” added Murphey.
Media Contact: Tony Wyche | 314-398-9991 | Tony@GreaterSTLInc.com