St. Louis Regional Freightway Talks Bi-State Development in Aerospace

Our Daily Show Interview! Resources for Youth and New Careers at Bi-State Development

SAINT LOUIS - The St. Louis region is one of the top in the country for aerospace, avionics, and aviation.

Mary Lamie recently stopped by “Our Daily Show!” with CJ Nasello to talk about bi-state development and the St. Louis Regional Freightway, including growing opportunities in several fields. She noted that St. Louis has “three main anchor aerospace companies” in Boeing, Gulfstream and West Star. As a result, there are thousands of jobs available in these fields.

“Moving forward, we have over $5 billion in infrastructure projects related to aerospace and aviation,” Lamie said. “That’s going to create another 900 jobs. We got all the industry leaders together to ask, ‘What do we need to do to support those jobs in this robust industry?’”

In addition to talking with leaders from the three main aerospace companies, Lamie has met with the airport directors at the five main airports in our region. They put together a “roadmap” to identify career opportunities and job growth.

It was important to these leaders to target high school students. Lamie and her team have compiled information about aerospace, avionics and aviation careers that they can share with high schools across the St. Louis area. She noted that people with a high school diploma or GED can enter the workforce immediately.

“There are so many different individuals we need to target,” Lamie explained. “That’s where the leaders said, we need to focus on high school students. That’s the missed opportunity.”

The St. Louis Regional Freightway focuses on manufacturing and transportation. They work to help people find jobs, from welders and woodworkers to mechanics and bus operators. Lamie emphasized that there are a variety of jobs, all with “outstanding” benefits.

Additionally, she expressed her appreciation for Boeing, Gulfstream and West Star as well as the five airports that play a big role in supporting people looking for jobs in the region. She noted that the work they do with the St. Louis Regional Freightway would not be possible without these leaders.

“There’s always a tremendous amount of things going on in this area,” she said. “I think what makes it unique is the fact that you’ve got these three major aerospace manufacturing companies giving us that input and basically leading and championing these efforts.”

She added that the St. Louis region is unique in a lot of ways, but she is proud of how these organizations continue to grow and support community members.

“In the St. Louis region, we continue to be a global logistics hub,” Lamie said. “We continue to be the most efficient inland port in the nation. We continue to be the agricultural coast of America, which means nowhere else on the inland waterway system is moving the amount of ag or fertilizer products anywhere on the inland waterway system. And what that really means is, we’re helping feed the world.”

You can see all of these resources in one spot at their official website at TheFreightway.com.

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