House Delegation Issues Letter to NGA to Support Missouri Jobs
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The House Members of Missouri's Congressional delegation this week issued a letter to National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency Director Robert Cardillo, suggesting the agency keep the NGA West complex at one of four sites in the Show Me State.
Below is a copy of that letter and reflections on the complex's importance by Missouri's House delegation.
"With nearly 70 percent of NGA's current employees based in Missouri, a new St. Louis-region NGA Campus West will continue the long-term partnership between the State of Missouri and NGA, and continue to maintain and grow IT and high technology jobs in the St. Louis area. Selection of a site in Missouri will also allow for local procurement, logistics and integration activities," Rep. Wagner said.
"Missouri is home to the bulk of National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency's operations. NGA plays an important role in our state's economy, providing contracting opportunities for private business and employment opportunity for thousands. As Missouri's high tech industry continues its growth, it is essential to keep the NGA on the map in Missouri," Rep. Long said.
"Missouri's relationship with the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency's West complex dates back to the 1940s. Today, over 3,000 Missourians are employed here and the partnership between our State and the NGA has never been stronger," Rep. Graves said. "Although I understand the need to upgrade this facility and strengthen the NGA's ability to execute its life-saving responsibilities, it is my hope that Director Cardillo strongly considers the agency's long-standing and successful relationship with Missouri when determining any potential future site."
"Over 3,000 intelligence workers in Missouri have helped keep our nation safe and secure through their work at the NGA. For the sake of the NGA's important mission, as well as the sake of the Missouri workers who currently help NGA fulfill this mission, it should remain thus," Rep. Cleaver said.
"The NGA and the State of MO have partnered successfully to provide critical threat assessment for our nation for decades. I believe it is vital, in this time of increasing threats around the world and limited national defense dollars, that we continue to build on the positive outcomes we have already achieved by building the new facility in Missouri. Our unmatched track record of support for national defense and technology capabilities make it the perfect choice for the NGA," Rep. Hartzler said.
"With over 2,100 NGA West employees who are Missouri residents, I believe there is a strong case for keeping the NGA West facility in the state," Rep. Luetkemeyer said. "The ties that bind NGA and Missouri have lasted over 70 years, they run throughout St. Louis and throughout generations of families. I strongly urge Director Cardillo to keep these reasons, and others, in mind as a final decision is made."
"The state of Missouri and the NGA have a long history of working together successfully, and I don't see any reason for the NGA to move the NGA West complex out of the state. I encourage them to stay right here, because with Missouri's workforce, which stands ready and willing to continue their work to keep America safe, there's no better location in the country," Rep. Smith said.
"As the Member of Congress who currently represents NGA in St. Louis, it is absolutely vital that we retain this facility and the remarkable workforce who serves there," Rep. Clay said. "In my opinion, the proposed site next to the former Pruitt-Igoe housing development offers the federal government a rare and historic opportunity to replace an embarrassing failure with an exceptional success that will truly transform a distressed neighborhood which has suffered from disinvestment for more than 50 years."
LETTER TEXT:
June 8, 2015
Director Robert Cardillo
National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency
7500 GEOINT Drive
Springfield, VA 22150-7500
Dear Director Cardillo:
We write regarding the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA)'s evaluation of four sites for the eventual relocation of the NGA West complex. As members of the Missouri delegation to the U.S. House of Representatives, we write today to provide our strong support for keeping this facility in Missouri.
We understand the need for upgrades to the facility in order to enhance mission capabilities, resiliency, and operational efficiencies and recognize that building a new facility has been shown to be less costly, quicker and less disruptive. It is our belief that keeping the new site in Missouri will provide the most benefit in ensuring a smooth transition of the over 3,000 currently employed workers. Selection of a location in Missouri will continue the long term successful partnership between Missouri and NGA, and preserve the NGA's positive economic impact in the state of Missouri.
The relocation of NGA's Campus West represents an important opportunity for the Show Me State. A new NGA Campus West project would continue to grow and maintain IT and high technology jobs in the St. Louis area, and allow for local procurement, logistics and integration activities, provided by Missouri constituents.
As you begin the next phase of the process for NGA's St. Louis modernization plans and sites begin to undergo comprehensive assessments required by the National Environmental Policy Act, we urge you to strongly consider the many benefits of keeping the facility and over 3,000 intelligence workers in Missouri.
NGA and its predecessors have had a presence in Missouri since World War II. We are proud of Missouri's significant contribution to the national security of our country, and we continue to support NGA's critical role in keeping the nation safe. We look forward to working with you on finding a suitable Missouri location for a new facility for this important agency.
Sincerely,
William Lacy Clay, Jr.
Emanuel Cleaver, II
Sam Graves
Vicky Hartzler
Billy Long
Blaine Luetkemeyer
Jason Smith
Ann Wagner
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