Geographic Resources Center

The Geographic Resources Center (GRC) in the University of Missouri Department of Geography is a multidisciplinary applied research and teaching facility for geographic and remote sensing data analysis. It also serves as a resource center for information concerning applications of geographic information systems (GIS), remote sensing and cartography. GIS technology provides an efficient means for automating entry, manipulating and analyzing geographic data. The process of linking spatial data to descriptive attribute data is used extensively by planners, resource managers, biologists and a host of professionals to assist in decision making.

GRC Projects

Current projects include: Structures Inventory Addressing
UPDATE 12/18/2014: MSDIS has posted new datasets from the newly completed Missouri Structures Project. These data consists of categorized points and footprints for every building in Missouri - over 5 million features in total.  They are available for download here: ftp://msdis.missouri.edu/pub/Facilities_Structures/

Recently completed: Missouri Municipal League Members Mapping

GRC Map Products

• Conduct interdisciplinary applied research in GIS and remote sensing in support of University faculty and extension personnel.
• Provide expertise and support to the state during the development, implementation, and use of GIS, digital data bases and data base management systems.
• Educate the people of the state through courses, workshops and extension activities to realize the potential and utility of this GIS-related technology.
• Provide instruction and training in GIS strategies for graduate and advanced undergraduate students at MU.

Since its establishment in 1980, the GRC has matured to a multidimensional research facility. The Center's staff has worked on more than 400 projects with public and private sector clients including MU academic units, University Extension, state agencies, federal agencies, local government, and private organizations and companies.

GRC projects cover a broad range of activities relating to the collection, storage and analysis of geographic data. The multidisciplinary staff has had wide experience on projects in areas such as wildlife biology, forest resource inventory, agronomy, land-use planning, water quality, global vegetation monitoring, land-cover mapping, surface modeling, socioeconomic analysis, census information and landscape analysis. These activities have helped develop GRC staff expertise in photo interpretation, digital image analysis, GIS analysis, data base construction, spatial analysis and scholarly research, writing and evaluation.

The GRC will assist the client in identifying the most proficient methods to implement these technologies. A plan can be developed that identifies data needs, processing steps, analytical procedures, and final output development and cost. The plan will be tailored to the client's needs and will consider both the data needs and the cost of those needs. The GRC also is prepared to assist in data base creation, which includes the conversion of mapped data and attributes to a digital format for computer compatibility. Clients working with the GIS capabilities actively participate in the project design and data base development. Analytical procedures are designed to satisfy immediate needs while considering future expansion.