Gov. Nixon signs bill to help keep National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency in Missouri

JEFFERSON CITY – Gov. Jay Nixon today signed into law House Bill 514 to help keep thousands of high-paying jobs at the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) in Missouri. The legislation provides additional capacity in the State Supplemental Tax Increment Financing program so that this performance-based redevelopment program can accommodate a project of this size.

“This bill is another example of Missouri’s bipartisan commitment to building a brighter, more prosperous future for the St. Louis region,”Gov. Nixon said. “For decades, the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency has played a central role in our nation’s security and in the St. Louis region’s economy – providing thousands of high-tech, high-paying jobs.  This bill will put Missouri in the strongest possible position to keep these jobs in the Show-Me State, and keep this region’s economy moving forward.”

The NGA is moving out of its current location in St. Louis and is currently considering whether to locate its new $1.6 billion western headquarters and more than 3,000 jobs in Missouri or in Illinois. A decision is expected next year.

In addition to House Bill 514, Gov. Nixon also signed five other bills:

n  Senate Bill 194, which extends the date that a business must commence operations to qualify for a business facility tax credit;

n  Senate Bill 336 to clarify how employers whose employees receive tips are to do income tax withholding with respect to those workers;

n  Senate Bill 524, which modifies provisions relating to contractual fees charged by certain financial institutions; and

n  House Bill 111, which clarifies that purchases of used manufactured homes are not subject to use tax;

n  House Bill 587, which relates to licensing fees paid by entities and individuals licensed under the Missouri Sale of Checks Law, credit service organizations, and consumer credit lenders.