Author Archives: Laura Phillips

Record Attendance at KC SmartPort Annual Industry Briefing Underscores Kansas City’s Industrial Momentum

More than 750 industry leaders convened as KC continues to strengthen its position as a top 15 U.S. industrial market

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – April 8, 2026 – KC SmartPort, the industrial-focused affiliate of the Kansas City Area Development Council, welcomed more than 750 industry leaders today at its annual industry briefing, spotlighting the region’s momentum as a top U.S. market for logistics, manufacturing and global investment.

The program featured insights from industry experts, including Lisa DeNight, managing director and head of North American industrial research at Newmark; Didi Caldwell, founder and president of Global Location Strategies; and Dave Harrison, president and CEO of VanTrust Real Estate.

“What we’re seeing across the industrial sector is a clear return to the fundamentals, with both occupiers and investors prioritizing assets that deliver efficiency, connectivity and durable long-term growth potential,” said DeNight, keynote speaker for the event. “In strategically-positioned North American logistics hubs like Kansas City, those priorities are translating into renewed confidence and a measurable uptick in activity.”

A Market Built for Scale and Speed

Boasting a deep talent pool, robust infrastructure and continued success in attracting new industrial operations, the Kansas City region has maintained steady industrial momentum. While many U.S. markets saw negative absorption in 2025, KC ranked seventh in the nation for positive net absorption and in the top 10 markets for highest pre-leasing rate.

Kansas City is also a thriving hub for international investment, attracting $4.43 billion in foreign direct investment over the past five years, creating 5,000 new jobs and occupying 5.7 million square feet of industrial space. The Kansas City Foreign Trade Zones support this growth, facilitating $2 billion in goods flow annually.

Driving Regional Growth

KC SmartPort continues to lead efforts to grow the region’s manufacturing and logistics industries. In the last five years, the initiative has attracted projects representing $6.9 billion in capital investment, over 9,400 jobs and 14 million square feet of space. 

“A top U.S. industrial market, nearly 200,000 industrial workers and a location that can move goods across North America fast — that’s Kansas City,” said Chris Gutierrez, president of KC SmartPort and KC Foreign Trade Zones. “KC provides certainty. In a rapidly evolving world, that’s exactly what companies need to keep growing and serving their customers efficiently, even amid economic headwinds.”

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About KC SmartPort
An affiliate of the Kansas City Area Development Council, KC SmartPort is the authority on industrial operations in the 18-county, two-state Kansas City region. The nonprofit economic development organization promotes and enhances the Kansas City region’s status as a leading North American manufacturing and logistics hub, attracting industrial investment into the market. In the last five years, KC SmartPort has attracted projects representing $6.9 billion in capital investment, over 9,400 jobs and 14 million square feet of space to the KC region. | OneKC.org/KCSmartPort

About the Kansas City Area Development Council (KCADC)

The Kansas City Area Development Council is an economic development nonprofit that promotes the OneKC region’s business and lifestyle assets to companies and talent around the world. Working closely with its two states and 50-plus county and community partners, the region has attracted more than 64,000 new jobs over its 45-year history. KCADC also leads the efforts behind the KC Animal Health Corridor, KC SmartPort, TeamKC and KC Global Design. | OneKC.org

Axiota Animal Health Names Wamego, Kansas, as Global Headquarters

Move strengthens the KC Animal Health Corridor as a hub for animal health excellence

WAMEGO, Kan. (March 31, 2026) — Axiota Animal Health, global leader in cattle health solutions, announced today it will name its facility in Wamego, Kansas, as the company’s global headquarters.

The announcement formalizes the longstanding presence of Axiota Animal Health in Wamego, where the company operates manufacturing, research and development, and scientific operations for its products used by cattle producers in more than 30 countries worldwide.

“Wamego has long been a cornerstone of Axiota’s manufacturing and research, so designating it as our global headquarters is a natural next step,” said William (Bill) Weldon, CEO, Axiota Animal Health. “From here, we’re developing and producing technologies that help cattle producers around the world improve herd health and productivity. Leveraging our location within the KC Animal Health Corridor and our longstanding relationship with Kansas State University allows us to drive innovation and attract the top talent the industry demands.”

Located near Kansas State University, the facility benefits from proximity to one of the nation’s leading veterinary and animal health research institutions. That connection helps Axiota attract specialized scientific talent and collaborate with researchers advancing the future of livestock health.

From its Wamego facility, Axiota supports cattle producers worldwide in improving herd health and performance through prevention-based, non-antibiotic solutions. This includes:

  • Lactipro®, the only rumen-native probiotic that delivers Mega e®, proven to promote rumen health and performance.
  • Multimin® 90 (zinc, copper, manganese and selenium injection) is the only FDA-approved injectable supplement that delivers four trace minerals known to support cattle health and reproduction.

The decision highlights the global impact of the KC Animal Health Corridor, a hub stretching from Manhattan, Kansas, to Columbia, Missouri, with Kansas City at its heart. The region, home to the world’s largest concentration of animal health assets, serves as a leading center for life science research, development and collaboration.

“Axiota’s decision to locate its global headquarters in Wamego reflects the industry leadership that continues to define the Corridor,” said Kimberly Young, president of the KC Animal Health Corridor. “Companies here aren’t just participating in the industry — they’re driving the science, technology and production that support animal health and food security around the world.”

About Axiota Animal Health

Axiota Animal Health is an innovation-driven company that discovers, develops and markets products for beef and dairy producers around the world. Axiota’s non-antibiotic solutions prepare cattle to thrive during transition and stress and support producers’ goals of optimal health, performance and animal well-being. | axiota.com

About KC Animal Health Corridor

Representing more than half of the global animal health industry’s sales, and home to over 300 animal health companies, the KC Animal Health Corridor is the largest concentration of its kind worldwide. An initiative of the Kansas City Area Development Council, the Corridor is anchored by Manhattan, Kansas, and Columbia, Missouri, and serves as a thriving hub for innovation and collaboration. | kcanimalhealth.com

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Leading Cattle Health Company Names Global Headquarters in KC Animal Health Corridor

Congratulations to our Kansas partners on Axiota Animal Health’s decision to name its Wamego facility as its global headquarters.

Strategically located between Manhattan and Topeka, the facility has long served as a key hub for the company’s production and research & development. Its proximity to Kansas State University — one of the nation’s leading veterinary and animal health research institutions — and the broader innovation network extending to Topeka and Kansas City enables Axiota to attract top scientific talent and accelerate its product development.

The decision underscores the global significance of the KC Animal Health Corridor, the world’s largest cluster of animal health assets and a leading hub for bioscience research, development and production.

The Kansas City Area Development Council was proud to partner with the following organizations as Axiota selected the KC Animal Health Corridor for its global headquarters:

State of Kansas
Kansas Department of Commerce
Greater Manhattan Economic Partnership
Evergy
Kansas State University

Read the News Release

Metrobloks Selects Liberty, Missouri, for $1.4 Billion Data Center Investment 

Digital infrastructure leader to deliver high-wage tech jobs and power next-generation connectivity in Kansas City region

Metrobloks today announced plans to invest $1.4 billion in Liberty, Missouri, with a state-of-the-art, high-density data center campus, encompassing 568,800-square-feet of space across three buildings. 

“Metrobloks is proud to expand in Liberty, where we found the ideal combination of infrastructure, talent and community partnership to support our next phase of growth,” said Ernest Popescu, CEO of Metrobloks. “This investment reflects our confidence in the Liberty area as a rising digital economy and innovation hub, and we look forward to building a facility here in the Kansas City region that delivers long-term value for both our customers and the community.” 

Metrobloks is known for delivering high-performance data centers in strategic U.S. markets, helping companies scale cloud and AI for last mile data delivery for latency sensitive applications. The company’s Liberty campus will leverage the Kansas City region’s central location, robust fiber network and reliable, cost-effective power — providing low-latency connectivity and the infrastructure needed to support rapidly expanding digital demand. 

“Metrobloks’ investment is another powerful signal that the Kansas City region is well-positioned for the next phase of the digital economy,” said Tim Cowden, president and CEO of the Kansas City Area Development Council. “Data infrastructure powers every aspect of modern life. With decisions like Metrobloks’, KC will remain at the nexus of our most critical sectors, including healthcare, fintech and defense, as the region continues to serve as a hub for this revolutionary economic transition.”

The new investment brings increased tax revenues and at least 30 jobs with an average annual wage of $95,649, as well as hundreds of construction jobs. Metrobloks’ data center features a very low water use design and low impact operations, with limited demands on schools, emergency services and municipal resources. 

The Kansas City Area Development Council was proud to partner with the following organizations in attracting Metrobloks to the KC region:

State of Missouri
Missouri Department of Economic Development
Missouri Partnership
City of Liberty, Missouri
Liberty Economic Development Corporation
Evergy
Spire
Spencer Fane

14 Reasons Kansas City is a Top Design City

Updated March 2026

KC is among the leading cities in the world for architecture, engineering and construction, with a legacy of designing and building a better world — from right here in the Heartland.

  1. More than 1,400 architectural and engineering firms call KC home
  2. KC has more than 6,800 construction firms
  3. 94,000 workers in KC are employed in the A/E/C sector
  4. A/E/C is a $16 billion industry in KC
  5. KC led the Green Revolution in architecture
  6. Nearly half of sports architecture around the world originates in the KC region
  7. KC firms were key to the design of 27 of the 30 NFL Stadiums
  8. Kansas City created the gold standard for Olympic stadiums
  9. 23% of the world’s power systems are designed by KC companies
  10. 9% of global telecommunication systems are designed by KC companies
  11. 10% of the world’s transportation infrastructure and systems are KC-designed
  12. 21 of the top 25 U.S. design firms have a presence in KC — more than any other city
  13. KC has 7th-largest concentration in the U.S. for architecture and engineering jobs; 70% more concentrated than the national average
  14. Colleges and universities in the KC region award 1,400+ architecture and engineering degrees annually


Discover more: Explore why Kansas City is known as the sports architecture capital of the world.

Fly KC

Kansas City International (KCI) Airport offers a state-of-the-art experience for those flying in and out of KC.

Airplane illustration

By the Numbers

New Terminal Upgrade
$ 0 Billion
Dining & Shopping Options
0 +
in Public Art
$ 0 Million
to Both Coasts
0 Hours

Welcoming All with Inclusive Amenities

The upgraded experience at KCI Airport sets the new standard for accessibility and inclusivity.

  • All-gender restroom options
  • Baby- and adult-sized changing tables
  • A sensory room for neurodivergent travelers
  • All-inclusive play area
  • Service pet relief area
  • 10 nursing rooms
  • Visual paging boards for deaf travelers
Airplane themed indoor playground with the Variety KC logo

Innovation + Tech

The KCI Airport’s state-of-the-art tech innovations focus on creating an environmentally-friendly and convenient experience for travelers.

  • Try before you fly – the Kansas City Air Travel Experience, a high-tech travel simulation, allows wary travelers to practice boarding, takeoff, landing and deplaning.
  • Go green – the new KCI terminal is LEED Gold Certified and is the first airport in the country to install wireless charging pads for its all-electric bus fleet.
  • Plug in – KCI offers abundant access to charging ports throughout the terminal, including wireless charging stations.
Mockup of a plane interior, including 12 real blue airplane seats and a simulated background for the back of the plane

Culinary, Visual & Musical Arts

Grab a bite or pull a pint at more than 30 dining options, including iconic Kansas City hot spots, as you check out the $5.6 million in public art and listen to live music from local musicians.

Landing Business at KCI

Never miss a critical moment – KCI Airport offers a variety of amenities catered to business travelers.

  • CLEAR kiosks to expedite security screening
  • A brand-new, 11,200-square-foot Delta Sky Club
  • A reservable Business Center with conference seating, meeting technology, secure access and catering options
  • Abundant access to power outlets, USB ports, and wireless charging pads throughout the terminal.

Strengthening KC’s Position on the Global Stage | KC SmartPort PULSE

Prologis-Hunt Midwest Partnership to Accelerate Industrial Opportunities in KC

Hunt Midwest has announced a strategic build-to-suit joint venture with logistics real estate leader Prologis at two major industrial properties in Kansas City. The move leverages Hunt Midwest’s local expertise with Prologis’ global customer base and will position the region as a premier location for new investment.

“This new venture exemplifies the scale and certainty that the Kansas City region offers companies in today’s competitive environment,” said Chris Gutierrez, president of KC SmartPort. “As a top 15 U.S. industrial market, and with the positive reception of the KCI 29 site among site selectors and multiple Fortune 500 end users, Kansas City continues to reinforce its role as a critical gateway for companies’ global supply chains.”

Base Camps in KC Region | KC Hearts in national flag colors: England, Argentina, Algeria and Netherlands

KC Scores Four World Cup Base Camps

With the 2026 FIFA World Cup fast approaching, the Kansas City region continues to position itself as a top destination — hosting six matches and serving as base camp for four national teams, including reigning champ Argentina, England, the Netherlands and Algeria. 

2026 Annual Industry Briefing – Edge Kansas City: Built for What's Next

Register Now for the 2026 Annual Industry Briefing

Join us on April 8 at the Midwest’s premier industrial event to learn about the assets, infrastructure and strategies that have shaped KC’s rise to a top 15 U.S. industrial market.

Emerging Companies Invited to Apply for 2026 Animal Health Summit

KC Animal Health Corridor seeks innovators in companion animal, ag tech and food animal sectors

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – March 3, 2026 – The KC Animal Health Corridor is now accepting Emerging Company applications for the 2026 Animal Health Summit, taking place Aug. 31 to Sept. 1 in downtown Kansas City. The Summit provides a global stage for early-stage companies in companion animal health, ag tech and food animal production to present their technologies and business plans to investors, strategic partners and industry leaders.

To date, companies selected to present — representing pharmaceutical, vaccine, nutrition, diagnostic and technology startups from around the world — have collectively raised nearly $1 billion following their participation, in addition to securing licensing agreements, distribution contracts and acquisition offers.

Application and instructions can be found at onekc.org/kc-animal-health-corridor/events/animal-health-summit/emerging-company-presentations/application.

Emerging company criteria

Companies must:

  • Serve the companion animal health, ag tech and/or food animal production industries
  • Be seeking $500,000 to $20 million in funding or strategic partnerships
  • Project $20 million in revenue within five to seven years

Benefits for selected companies

Participants receive:

  • Access to industry experts
  • Assistance developing a company pitch deck
  • Individualized mentoring
  • Two practice pitch sessions with real-time industry feedback
  • Development of an investor profile
  • Promotion to qualified investors
  • Media promotion

Applications must be submitted by 5 p.m. CDT on April 1, 2026. All applicants will be notified of their status by June 19, 2026. Additional details about the KC Animal Health Corridor and the Animal Health Summit are available at www.kcanimalhealth.com.

About the KC Animal Health Corridor
Companies with a business location in the KC Animal Health Corridor account for more than half of the sales generated by the global animal health industry. The Corridor, anchored by Manhattan, Kansas, and Columbia, Missouri, is home to more than 300 animal health companies, representing the largest concentration in the world. For more information, visit www.kcanimalhealth.com.

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Media Contact:
Kristi Fender
kristi.fender@stephens-adv.com
913.396.1938

TeamKC Unveils New Talent Tools at Training Camp 2026, Builds on Record Year of Business Growth and Employer Engagement

400 talent leaders gather as TeamKC reinforces its long-standing role helping Kansas City employers attract and retain top talent

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Feb. 26, 2026  – TeamKC, the talent-focused initiative of the Kansas City Area Development Council (KCADC), convened hundreds of HR executives, recruiters and business leaders today at The Abbott for its annual Training Camp talent summit — unveiling new recruiting tools, sharing fresh workforce data and spotlighting a year of major economic momentum for the region.

The event reinforced TeamKC’s nearly two-decade legacy as Kansas City’s authority on attracting and retaining top talent, supporting more than 300 major employers and a network of 1,100+ talent leaders across industries in the region.

“Strong data and insights elevate our work and give us credibility — and that’s what talent leaders need to have a seat at the table alongside their business partners,” said Erin Roebuck, TeamKC co-chair and senior talent acquisition leader, global, at Hallmark Cards, Inc.

Erin Roebuck in a blue shirt and black skirt on a stage with Danielle Hilton in a white suit, with MVP Award shown on screens behind

The program featured nationally recognized speakers, including best-selling author Diana Kander and sportscasting legend Joel Goldberg, alongside regional business leaders sharing insights on workforce trends and building trust in an evolving talent environment.

Joel Goldberg in a blue plaid suit standing on a stage addressing a crowd
Diana Kander standing on stage addressing hundreds of seated attendees in a large, chic industrial event space
Four panelists seated on a stage

New and Expanded Tools to Strengthen Talent Growth

A central theme of Training Camp 2026 was a sharpened focus on clarity — in messaging, in data and in the candidate experience.

TeamKC highlighted four cornerstone resources designed to give Kansas City employers a competitive advantage:

  • TeamKC Scouting Report: A data-driven snapshot of national workforce trends, the Kansas City region’s talent landscape and actionable recruitment and engagement strategies.
  • KC Options: TeamKC’s award-winning lifestyle and career publication, showcasing the people, places and culture that define life in Kansas City. KC Options remains the most widely utilized resource among employers recruiting to the region.
  • New KC Hype Video: A high-energy, shareable video asset designed to help employers showcase Kansas City’s momentum, vibrancy and opportunity.
  • TeamKC Relocation Guide: A new 50-page guide for KCADC’s 300+ investor companies, delivering clear, practical information — from housing and taxes to neighborhoods and community resources — to help new hires transition seamlessly to life in Kansas City.
Covers of KC Options magazine featuring Lo'eau LaBonta in a black and teal tracksuit

Together, these assets create a full-cycle recruiting toolkit, supporting employers from initial outreach through long-term retention.

“We know what works,” said Danielle Hilton, managing director of TeamKC. “Vibrant visuals. A confident story. And practical tools that make it easier for talent to say ‘yes’ to Kansas City.”

KC Streetcar Authority Honored with 2026 TeamKC MVP Award

At the event, TeamKC presented its 2026 TeamKC MVP Award to the KC Streetcar Authority for its transformative impact in connecting people and places across Kansas City.

KC Streetcar Authority team standing on stage with Danielle Hilton and Erin Roebuck, holding a green glass award

Awarded annually at Training Camp, the TeamKC MVP Award recognizes an organization that has significantly advanced Kansas City as a top destination for talent. Through expanded access and mobility, the KC Streetcar continues to elevate Kansas City as a place where talent wants to live and work — strengthening urban vibrancy, accessibility and regional connectivity.

Business Growth and Talent Pipeline Move in Lockstep

Training Camp also reinforced the direct connection between business attraction and workforce strategy, celebrating marquee investments TeamKC helped to attract to the region in recent years:

  • Panasonic Energy’s EV battery manufacturing plant, which recently celebrated hiring 1,500 employees.
  • Fiserv’s strategic fintech hub — the largest office project announced in the United States in 2025 — projected to create more than 2,000 jobs in the region.

As a key component of KCADC’s mission, TeamKC supports companies as they expand and invest in the region. Over the past decade, KCADC — together with state, community and business partners — has helped attract projects resulting in more than 30,000 new jobs in the Kansas City region.

“These wins are about more than headlines,” Hilton said. “They strengthen our talent base, diversify our workforce and reinforce Kansas City’s reputation as a place companies — and people — choose.”

Danielle Hilton in a white suite and Alicia Bacon in a green jacket, standing on stage together

TeamKC also highlighted its support for KC employers as they invest in the next generation of talent. In 2025, the TeamKC summer intern program engaged more than 1,000 interns across industries, providing “KC 101” programming, peer networking and immersive experiences designed to connect young professionals to long-term careers in the region.

A Proven Partner for Kansas City Employers

As national competition for talent intensifies, the 2026 TeamKC Training Camp reinforced a clear takeaway: Kansas City’s workforce strategy is coordinated, data-driven and built for scale.

Danielle Hilton in a white suite and Alicia Bacon in a green jacket, standing on stage together

“People show up when they know the why, and feel proud to be part of it,” said Alicia Bacon, TeamKC board co-chair and director of talent acquisition at Netsmart. “Now, more than ever, it’s great to be in KC. We have a swagger. An energy. We are the place to be. You just have to be here.”

Wide shot of two women on stage addressing hundreds of seated attendees in a large, chic industrial event space

About TeamKC
TeamKC, an initiative of the Kansas City Area Development Council, is the regional authority in positioning KC as a premier talent destination. Working alongside regional partners, TeamKC serves as an extension of recruiting and HR teams at more than 300 major employers, supporting a network of 1,100+ talent leaders — providing the insights, tools and data needed to compete in a rapidly evolving talent market. As the region’s unified talent attraction initiative, TeamKC helps ensure top candidates say “yes” to growing their careers in KC. | teamkc.com

About the Kansas City Area Development Council (KCADC)
The Kansas City Area Development Council is an economic development nonprofit that promotes the OneKC region’s business and lifestyle assets to companies and talent around the world. Working closely with its two states and 50-plus county and community partners, the region has attracted more than 64,000 new jobs over its 45-year history. KCADC also leads the efforts behind the KC Animal Health Corridor, KC SmartPort, TeamKC and KC Global Design. | onekc.org

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KC: Soccer Capital of America

When it comes to soccer, KC is unmatched. From roaring stadiums and high-performing professional clubs to communities cheering on youth teams, KC is a hub for soccer (AKA football, to the rest of the world).

We Are Kansas City | FIFA 26

The World Cup Comes to KC

KC is one of only 16 cities selected to be a host city for the FIFA World Cup in 2026. The largest sporting event in the world, the FIFA World Cup draws millions of in-person fans and billions of broadcast viewers around the globe, and will shine a spotlight on KC as a hotspot for soccer, tourism and more.

Learn more about FIFA World Cup 26™ in Kansas City.

KC Current women's soccer team playing a pitch with fans in the stands and fireworks lighting up the sky

Making History in Women’s Sports

CPKC Stadium is the first in the world purpose-built for a women’s professional sports team. Home to the KC Current, the riverfront venue set new benchmarks for the National Women’s Soccer League — including league-leading attendance and sellout crowds in its inaugural season.

Beyond the action on the pitch, the stadium itself is a statement: the design and construction team was women-led, underscoring Kansas City’s commitment to advancing women in sports, leadership and the built environment.

KC’s Pro Teams

Crowd of cheering Sporting KC fans wearing team apparel

Sporting Kansas City

Major League Soccer

With two MLS Cup and four U.S. Open Cup wins, Sporting KC is Kansas City’s men’s professional soccer club. In addition to their work on the pitch, the club also helps aspiring young players to fall in love with soccer.

Both Sporting KC and its affiliated MLS Next Pro Club, Sporting KC II, are headquartered at Sporting Park in Kansas City, Kansas.

Lo'eau celebrating on the pitch with teammates.

Kansas City Current

National Women’s Soccer League

After making it the National Women’s Soccer League Championship in only their second season, KC Current is making history in women’s sports with CPKC Stadium at Berkeley Riverfront Park.

Meet KC Current’s team captain and starting midfielder, Lo’eau LaBonta.

KC Current II, the team’s affiliated Women’s Premier Soccer League team, is high-performing in their own right, winning the 2022 Midwest Conference Championship in their inaugural season.

Kansas City Comets

Major Arena Soccer League

Enjoy soccer all year ’round in KC Heartland and check out the region’s Major Indoor Soccer League (MASL) team, the Kansas City Comets. Playing out of Cable Dahmer Arena, the KC Comets hosted the first-ever MASL all-star game and are two-time winners of the Central Cup.

A group of children soccer players, seen from the back, with their arms around each other's shoulders

From Kids to Coaches

With summer camps, youth leagues and training programs like Sporting KC Youth Soccer, kids can kick off their athletic dreams right away in KC Heartland.

United Soccer Coaches, headquartered in KC’s Union Station, is the largest organization of soccer coaches in the world, boasting more than 30,000 members.

The Heartland Soccer Association, America’s largest soccer league and tournament host, brings together more than 30,000 league players and 40,000 tournament players in levels from recreational to premier.