Regional leaders tour live Animal Export Facility at St. Louis Lambert International Airport
On June 30, 2021, the World Trade Center St. Louis (WTCSTL), the STL Partnership and Midwest Cargo Hub Commission partners hosted Missouri Governor Mike Parson, three of his cabinet directors and 30 other state agriculture, transportation and economic development leaders for a tour of the new Live Animal Export Facility at St. Louis Lambert International Airport. Chris Chinn, Director, MO Department of Agriculture, Rob Dixon, Director, MO Department of Economic Development, Patrick McKenna, Director, MO Department of Transportation were also in attendance.
After the tour, the Cargo Hub Commission organized a lunch and roundtable discussion on the recent success of the facility and how, working together, it can grow exports from the state and region. WTCSTL helped secure federal and state grant funding for the original design and construction of the facility. The St. Louis County Port Authority then established an international freight hub incentive grant to help promote and increase air exports through St. Louis Lambert International Airport.
Approximately 58% of US farms and producers and 51% of US agricultural production are within 500 miles (or one day drive) of St. Louis. The live animal trade industry has increased in each of the past 5 years, reaching all-time highs in global exports.
“The data, coupled with our federally approved facility, is proving that St. Louis is the logical location from which to ship live animals globally. This would not have been possible without the work of our Cargo Hub Commission partners and the support of St. Louis County Port Authority,” Tim Nowak, Executive Director of WTCSTL, said.
The Midwest Cargo Hub Commission and the State of Missouri announced the Global Livestock Hub at STL-Lambert in November, 2020. The facility is the first of its kind in the U.S.
