New USDA Office to Open in North County, 100 Full-time, 300 Part-time Jobs Expected
Contact: Nancy Schnoebelen
Vice President Marketing & Communications
314.615.7617, nschnoebelen@slcec.com
St. Louis, October 14, 2010 -- Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced today United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) plans to open a centralized data collection and processing center in Overland as part of its efforts to consolidate operations and better serve the statistical needs of agriculture and rural America. The new center is expected to create approximately 100 full-time and 300 part-time jobs.
"USDA's investment in statistical research is key in helping us understand emerging trends in agriculture and the farm sector, and in providing more efficient service to America's farmers, ranchers and rural communities," said Vilsack. "This new, centrally located facility will help standardize and streamline the survey operations conducted by USDA around the country and ensure we collect the best and most useful agricultural data."
"This is very welcoming news," said St. Louis County Executive Charlie A. Dooley. "This new facility brings a boost to our economy, helps lessen job losses and move us to recovery." Along with leading science and business entities like Monsanto, the Danforth Plant Science Center, BRDG Park, and our new Helix Center, this new USDA center helps solidify our leadership in this vitally important sector of the economy," added Dooley.
The new NASS National Operations Center is scheduled to open in late 2011. It will be located at the Charles F. Prevedel Federal Building, 9700 Page Boulevard, the former U.S. Army federal records center. U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) is currently working on converting the center to a new resource-efficient, environmentally sound facility, seeking LEED silver certification. GSA plans to invest $35 million into improvements over the next five years.
While this center will centralize and consolidate many of its critical operations, NASS' 46 field offices will maintain viable operations, continuing to work with state governments, industry and other partners to serve the data needs of agriculture and rural America.
About USDA
President Abraham Lincoln founded the USDA in 1862. Today, USDA continues to serve all Americans, the two percent who farm as well as everyone who eats, wears clothes, lives in a house, or visits a rural area or a national forest. USDA provides leadership on food, agriculture, natural resources, and related issues based on sound public policy, the best available science, and efficient management.
About St. Louis County Economic Council
Founded in 1984, St. Louis County Economic Council serves as the County's economic development agency, driving growth and prosperity in the most economically important county in Missouri. As the only economic development agency in the state to hold the esteemed Accredited Economic Development Organization from the International Economic Development Council, it provides a broad range of services to foster economic development. Please visit www.slcec.com for additional information.
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