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    30 W Pershing Road, Suite 200 | Kansas City, Missouri 64108

    KC Area Development Council

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    Drives industrial project attraction and promotes KC as a leading industrial hub.

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    Advances the region as a global center for animal health innovation.

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    Amplifies KC as a hub for architecture, engineering and construction.

    (816) 221-2121
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    30 W Pershing Road, Suite 200 | Kansas City, Missouri 64108

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Newsroom

Two people walking around in an import warehouse

The KC Advantage: 15 Reasons KC is a Top 15 U.S. Industrial Market

The Kansas City region didn’t become a top 15 U.S. industrial market by accident. It earned its status through decades of strategic growth, intentional investment and a foundation of unmatched connectivity. 

  1. Kansas City enables distribution to 90% of the contiguous U.S. within two days or less by truck.
  2. Four major interstate highways intersect in Kansas City — supported by 30% more interstate miles per capita than any major U.S. metro.
  3. As the largest rail hub in the U.S. by tonnage, Kansas City serves as a critical link in North American freight movement.
  4. The region’s multimodal advantage is strengthened by four Class I rail lines and four intermodal parks.
  5. Kansas City’s location along the largest navigable inland waterway in the U.S. adds a powerful, cost-effective freight option.
  6. KC’s two-state region creates a competitive incentive environment, with a strong mix of state and local programs that offers businesses lower costs and speed-to-market. 
  7. A state-of-the-art terminal at Kansas City International Airport handles more cargo than any other airport in a six-state region.
  8. Kansas City ranked 7th in the U.S. for industrial net absorption in 2025.
  9. Kansas City ranked as a top 15 U.S. city for foreign multinationals to do business.
  10. KC ranks in the top 10 markets for industrial pre-leasing activity, showing confidence in future development.
  11. Nearly 200,000 people are employed in manufacturing and logistics across the region.
  12. More than 1,400 architectural, engineering and construction firms call KC home.
  13. KC Foreign Trade Zones move $2 billion in goods annually, positioning regional operators for more efficient, cost-effective supply chain operations.
  14. 30+ institutions and dozens of industry-aligned training programs work together on tailored solutions that fuel KC’s industrial workforce pipeline.
  15. Kansas City consistently ranks among the most affordable major metros for industrial real estate, labor and operating costs.

Want to learn more about why you should invest in KC? See about why KC stands out.

KC Area Development Council
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