The St. Louis region is experiencing a surge in aerospace activity, driven by more than $5 billion in investments across its busiest airports and top aerospace manufacturers and aerospace service companies. The formation of a new St. Louis Regional Aerospace and Aviation Task Force is aimed at capitalizing on this growth, ensuring that the region not only attracts but also sustains long-term investments, job creation, and workforce development.
Key players like Boeing, Gulfstream Aerospace Corp., and West Star Aviation are expanding their presence in the region, prompting the need for coordinated efforts to support the industry. According to Mary Lamie, Executive Vice President of Multi Modal Enterprises for Bi-State Development, the task force will serve as a unifying body to support these investments, which are projected to create approximately 1,000 new jobs and strengthen the region’s standing as a leading aerospace hub.
Major Investments
One of the most significant projects is the $2.8 billion terminal expansion at St. Louis Lambert International Airport, a massive infrastructure upgrade that is expected to boost the airport’s capacity and economic impact. This project is part of a broader initiative to support the growing aerospace and aviation needs in the region. The new terminal will not only serve passengers but also enhance cargo and freight capabilities, a critical factor for manufacturers that rely on efficient transportation networks.
Boeing, Missouri’s largest employer, is another key contributor to the region's growth. The company is investing $2 billion across its facilities, with $1.8 billion earmarked for a new facility at St. Louis Lambert International Airport that will focus on military aircraft production, creating 500 new jobs. Boeing is also investing $200 million in its production facility at MidAmerica St. Louis Airport in Illinois, where the MQ-25 unmanned aircraft will be built, adding another 250 jobs to the region.
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Additionally, Gulfstream Aerospace recently expanded its operations at St. Louis Downtown Airport in Cahokia Heights, Illinois, with a $28 million investment that is creating 200 new jobs. Meanwhile, in August, West Star Aviation celebrated the completion of a $20 million hangar expansion at St. Louis Regional Airport in East Alton, Illinois, generating between 60 and 80 new jobs.
Building an Aerospace Ecosystem
These investments represent only part of the broader effort to position St. Louis as a national leader in aerospace manufacturing. The St. Louis Regional Aerospace and Aviation Task Force will coordinate the efforts of five major regional airports, aerospace companies, and workforce development organizations. The goal is to create a robust talent pipeline capable of meeting the industry's growing demands.
“We’ve recognized that we’ve got this really robust ecosystem in the bi-state St. Louis region,” said Lamie. “The task force is made up of industry leaders, our five busiest airports, and education and training programs—all working together to not only support the industry but to ensure we can continue building the workforce needed for these jobs.”
The infrastructure is there, the workforce is ready, and the industry leaders are succeeding here.
The task force is focused on two key objectives: raising awareness of the region’s aerospace manufacturing capabilities and ensuring that job training programs are aligned with the needs of local employers. According to Lamie, the region has more than 17,000 aerospace manufacturing jobs - four times the number found in similarly sized regions – and when adding in industries that are secondary, tertiary or supportive to aerospace manufacturing, the number of jobs the region already supports soars to more than 300,000. The task force aims to build on this momentum by ensuring that training programs can supply the talent needed for the next phase of growth.
Workforce and Infrastructure Collaboration
For manufacturing executives and site selectors, the St. Louis region’s appeal lies not only in its growing aerospace sector but also in its infrastructure and workforce readiness. Lamie emphasized that one of the task force’s primary goals is to build awareness among site selectors and brokers about the opportunities available in St. Louis. With a large available workforce and critical infrastructure upgrades underway, the region offers attractive prospects for businesses looking to expand.
“Site selectors and brokers need to know that we have this ecosystem, real estate, and workforce available to support their growth,” said Lamie. “We have a map showing where these 300,000 aerospace employees are located throughout the bi-state region. The message is simple: come bring your business here.”
The task force is also leveraging the region’s strategic location and infrastructure. St. Louis is connected by four major interstates and six Class I railroads, making it an ideal logistics hub. Significant infrastructure investments, such as the $222 million Merchants (Rail) Bridge and nearly $1 billion in improvements to Interstate 270, will further enhance the region’s transportation capabilities. These projects ensure that companies like Boeing and Gulfstream can rely on efficient and reliable transportation for both raw materials and finished products.
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A Unique Bi-State Collaboration
One of the most distinctive aspects of the St. Louis region’s approach is its cross-state collaboration between Missouri and Illinois. The bi-state nature of the task force allows for seamless coordination of infrastructure projects and workforce development initiatives across state lines. This collaboration is a key factor in the success of the region’s aerospace industry, according to Lamie.
“The industry leaders came to us saying there’s a need for coordination across the (Mississippi) river. Companies like Boeing have facilities on both sides of the river, and they don’t see the state line as a barrier—they see it as part of an interconnected logistics system,” said Lamie.
The task force’s efforts have already yielded results, with companies on both sides of the river forging new relationships with local educational institutions and job training programs. For example, Gulfstream which is already partnering with a high school in Cahokia Heights to offer job training programs has made new connections with St. Louis Community College and the University of Missouri St. Louis, while the Aviation Academy recently launched by West Star Aviation in collaboration with Southwestern Illinois College has potential to attract more students from both Missouri and Illinois through the promotional efforts of the task force.
With an estimated 1,000 new jobs and billions in investments, the region is set to attract new businesses and strengthen its economic base.
Looking Ahead
As the St. Louis region continues to grow its aerospace sector, the task force is committed to ensuring that the workforce and infrastructure can keep pace with industry demands. By fostering collaboration across public and private sectors, the task force is positioning St. Louis as a national leader in aerospace manufacturing.
With an estimated 1,000 new jobs expected and billions in investments, the region is set to attract new businesses and strengthen its economic base. For manufacturing executives and site selectors, the message is clear: St. Louis offers a unique combination of workforce readiness, infrastructure, and cross-state collaboration, making it a prime location for aerospace and other manufacturing industries looking to expand.
As Lamie concluded, “There’s a missed opportunity if you’re not considering the St. Louis region for your next facility. The infrastructure is there, the workforce is ready, and the industry leaders are succeeding here. It’s time to bring your business to St. Louis.”
