A New Geospatial North Star for St. Louis

The future of geospatial technology really is STLMade. GeoFutures, the strategic initiative led by Greater St. Louis, Inc. to advance the St. Louis region’s geospatial technology sector, this week launched a new Strategic Roadmap to guide the geospatial ecosystem into the future. The new Roadmap lays out specific strategic priorities, identifies St. Louis’ competitive advantages and unique opportunities in the geospatial sector, and highlights the need for a dedicated organization to lead the ecosystem into the future.

📖 Get the details. | 📍View the Roadmap.

The new Strategic Roadmap builds upon GeoFutures’ efforts since 2020, setting a new “North Star” goal for the ecosystem over the next three years:

✨To position metro St. Louis as a world leader in geospatial innovation by solving major economic, societal, and national security challenges; growing businesses and jobs; fostering a thriving system of breakthrough technologies and talent; and ensuring that economic growth benefits communities across the bi-state region. 

The Bottom Line: “Over the past five years, we’ve laid a strong foundation for the geospatial ecosystem here in St. Louis,” said Dustin Allison, GSL’s Interim CEO. “We’ve seen tremendous growth that has established St. Louis as one of the country’s true centers for geospatial technology.

“With that foundation laid and with the opening of NGA St. Louis serving as a pivotal inflection point in the development of our geospatial sector, we are charting the course for the next phase of growth with a new GeoFutures Strategic Roadmap.”

Silicon Valley in St. Louis? With the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency as its north star, a non-profit is working to get defense tech to put down roots in the Midwest. >> Defense One

London Calling: STL Secures Second Nonstop Flight to Europe

St. Louis has secured new, nonstop service to London, as British Airways has announced flights between St. Louis Lambert International Airport and London’s Heathrow Airport are planned for four days a week beginning in April 2026.   

Announcement of St. Louis’ new flights to London comes on the heels Lufthansa’s recent announcement that it will expand its nonstop flight service between St. Louis and Frankfurt, Germany, from three days a week to five, starting in June 2026.

📖 Get the details | ✈️ Book a flight

The Bottom Line: British Airways’ announcement builds momentum and shows the international community that St. Louis is a place to which they need to be connected. Intentional, collaborative leadership between the St. Louis Lambert International Airport, the St. Louis Port Authority, the St. Louis Economic Development Partnership, World Trade Center, and Explore St. Louis made it possible.

Plans Take Flight: St. Louis Lambert Airport set for major overhaul. >> KSDK

$195M Mansion House Redevelopment Downtown

St. Louis-based development firm New + Found will soon break ground on a $195 million redevelopment of Mansion House, a midcentury building overlooking Gateway Arch National Park. Arch to Park Equity Fund, coordinated by GSL, provided gap financing to help make the project possible. >> FOX 2 NOW

St. Louis’ Dara Eskridge Named to Time100 NEXT

TIME Magazine has named Dara Eskridge, CEO of InvestSTL, one of the world’s most influential rising stars this year. “In the wake of the tornado that devastated parts of our city in May, Dara and her team stepped up in ways that went beyond relief — they gave people hope and the tools to rebuild stronger,” wrote St. Louisan and NBA star Jayson Tatum. >> TIME

Sheldon Transformed with $11M Update

An $11 million transformation makes the Sheldon Concert Hall and Galleries in the Grand Center Arts District more visible and more accessible. The 113-year-old venue celebrated the upgrades at a ribbon cutting this week, enhancing the world-class arts establishment within St. Louis’ rich and varied arts scene. >> St. Louis Public Radio

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This Week's Headlines

ArchKey Solutions acquires Pennsylvania electrical contractor, expanding regional footprint (St. Louis Business Journal)

Operation Food Search debuts new Teaching Kitchen (St. Louis American)

'It's the heart of the city': Major safety, mobility upgrades coming to Tucker Blvd. in downtown St. Louis (KSDK)

St. Louis Character: LUZCO Technologies founder leads engineering firm to rapid growth (St. Louis Business Journal)

Fill Your Cup

For more STLMade stories, visit theSTL.com

10

OCT

23

OCT

Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Fall Multi-Cultural Job Fair. Employer registration. 

30

OCT

Tours & Pours. Explore Downtown St. Louis.