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Top 10 for Speculative Construction Growth
The Kansas City Industrial Market ranked No. 6 among the Top 10 Markets for Speculative Construction Growth by absorbing 9.2 million-sq.-ft. in 2017.
REBusinessOnline, May 2018

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#1 in Industrial Transaction Volume
The Kansas City Industrial Market ranked No. 1 based on year-over-year growth rate.
Integra, Viewpoint, January 2018

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Chris Gutierrez_Color_web

Chris Gutierrez

President | KC SmartPort
816.591.7311
Chris leads KC SmartPort business development and provides thought leadership to the supply chain industry in Kansas City.

eCommerce

Today, 52 percent of U.S. consumers are more likely to make a purchase online as opposed to buying the same item in-store. As the crossroads of North America, Kansas City offers a strong advantage as 85 percent of the U.S. population can be reached from a Kansas City location within two days or less.

The Kansas City region’s central location and available skilled workforce are key to a successful eCommerce strategy. These advantages have attracted eCommerce and distribution companies to create more than 10,650 jobs, invest $1.9 billion and occupy 17.8 million square feet in the KC region in the past five years.


ecommercecompanylogos-01
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KC Manufacturing and Logistics Jobs
125,392
Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2018 QCEW

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KC Location Advantages

Real Estate Ready Market

More than 60 million square feet of industrial development has been built in the Kansas City region since 2012, a majority of it built on a speculative basis. KC's move-in ready, existing building inventory and selection of vertical-ready sites enables eCommerce companies to secure their real estate and begin operations or development of their facility immediately. Kansas City is an aggressively priced industrial market with a number of incentive programs to support eCommerce and distribution operations. Explore regional real estate opportunities.


Location

Kansas City offers direct access to Midwest population centers, coastal markets and North America. Being located in the geographical center of the United States, plus the existing transportation infrastructure, makes Kansas City one of the nation’s largest hubs for warehousing, distribution and manufacturing operations. Kansas City’s central location and being at the intersection of four major US Interstate Highways (I-35, I-70, I-29, and I-49), 85% of the U.S. can be reached from a Kansas City location within in 2 days or less. The region is known as one of the nation’s top five trucking centers.


Rail Access

 Kansas City is the largest rail center in the U.S. by tonnage, and is served by four class 1 rail lines including: Burlington Northern Santa Fe, Canadian Pacific Kansas City Railway, Norfolk Southern, and Union Pacific. Four of the class 1 rail lines have intermodal facilities that are significant hubs in the national network. Three of these facilities have industrial park developments adjacent to the rail facilities and real estate ready for new occupants.

Workforce Pipeline

Kansas City understands supply chain. A diligent, Midwestern work ethic and access to education are just a few reasons why the workforce in Kansas City is one of the best in the country. Currently there are several local training programs in the area focused on preparing the labor force for the current and upcoming jobs in the transportation and logistics industry. Numerous educational institutions around the Kansas City region have supply chain management programs in place. The University of Kansas is home to one of the top 25 for U.S. university supply chain management programs. As a supply chain hub, the Kansas City region is dedicated to identifying the training needs for the industry and advancing the best supply chain workforce available.


Options

With two states, 18 counties and 50 plus communities, Kansas City gives companies something all consumers crave—choice. Two state tax structures, double the incentive programs and urban and suburban location options. All offered in one market—OneKC.

Labor Snapshot

The real estate-ready market, central location, transportation infrastructure access, and skilled workforce of KC makes it attractive to eCommerce and distribution companies. Explore the labor snapshot below to better understand the KC workforce advantage.

*Click below to expand for occupational data

Logistics Occupations

Occupation   2022 Employment  2022 Median Wage 2022 KC Concentration Compared to National Average 
 TOTAL Transportation & Material Moving Occupations 102,410 $39,180  106% 

Transportation, Storage & Distribution Managers

1,000  $94,840  83%

First-Line Supervisors of Transportation & Material Moving Workers

4,650 $60,460  110%

Heavy & Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers

17,960 $53,080  127%

Light Truck or Delivery Services Drivers 

7,530 $42,430  100%

Industrial Truck & Tractor Operators

6,910 $42,830   124%

Cleaners of Vehicles & Equipment

3,620 $25,590   142%

Laborers & Freight, Stock & Material Movers, Hand

19,310 $36,920   92%

Packers & Packagers, Hand

4,100 $33,970   88%
Source:  U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment, May 2022.
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For more information regarding eCommerce and logistics in the Kansas City region, visit KC SmartPort's website. Or reach out to us below:

chris-gutierrez_color_webCHRIS GUTIERREZ
President | KC SmartPort

m: 816.591.7311
E-mail  LinkedIn  Twitter


elli-bowen_color_webELLI BOWEN
Vice President | KC SmartPort

m: 816.579.3370
E-mail  LinkedIn  Twitter


jill_color_0730_webJILL MCCARTHY
Senior Vice President, Corporate Attraction | KCADC

m: 816.591.1834
E-mail  LinkedIn  Twitter


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