The region’s robust aviation sector is highlighted by the unique collaboration between the five busiest airports that have a significant collective impact on the St. Louis region’s economy. St. Louis Lambert International Airport and Spirit of St. Louis Airport in eastern Missouri and MidAmerica St. Louis Airport, St. Louis Downtown Airport and St. Louis Regional Airport in southwestern Illinois have a combined annual economic impact that exceeds $10 billion.
The significant aerospace manufacturing and service companies that are tenants at these airports are key contributors to that economic impact. Between all five airports and their tenants, they employ 36,500 individuals, a number that is set to grow in the coming year as major tenants such as Boeing, Gulfstream and West Star Aviation expand their operations in the region.
More than 300,000 additional individuals are employed in industries secondary, tertiary or supportive to aerospace manufacturing here, further illustrating the vital role of this ecosystem.
Primary Aerospace Manufacturing — Businesses And Workforce
Aerospace Manufacturing Primary, Secondary, Tertiary, Supporting Sectors: Businesses And Workforce
- 49 Primary Aerospace Manufacturing businesses
- 2,088 businesses within the Secondary and Tertiary industry classifications
- 15,127 businesses within the Supportive classifications
- 17,264 total businesses within the Primary, Secondary, Tertiary, and Supportive sectors to Aerospace Manufacturing
- 312,814 Secondary, Tertiary, and Supportive employees, which includes the 100 new jobs coming to West Star Aviation.
Source: JobsEQ®, http://www.chmuraecon.com/jobseq; DatabaseUSA, *Nonferrous Metal (except Aluminum) Production and Processing
Continued expansion of the aerospace and aviation ecosystem is supported by ongoing infrastructure investment, a solid industrial real estate market and a welcoming business climate. Whether it’s improving Interstate 70 to support the movement of partially completed planes from Boeing to Kansas City or the multimodal optionality that makes it possible ship from this region to destinations around the globe, the bi-state St. Louis region is a great place for businesses in the aerospace and aviation market to expand or source a new facility.
Boeing has had a long-standing presence in the community. It’s because of the partnerships, the relationships at all levels within this ecosystem, whether that’s with the airports, non-profits, business community, local and state chambers, and economic development organizations.