Category Archives: KC SmartPort

Refrigerated Real Estate

Cold Storage Emerging as a Key Industrial Trend

As companies adapt to evolving consumer habits and supply chain demands, cold storage facilities are transforming industrial real estate. Driven by food safety and the rise of online grocery shopping, businesses are prioritizing temperature-controlled facilities closer to production and to their end-users.

Food manufacturers are diversifying supply chains to avoid disruptions like those during the pandemic, while advancements in insulations and refrigeration are enhancing cold storage efficiency and investment appeal.

KC at the Center of Cold Storage Growth

Cold storage activity in Kansas City has boomed over the last 18 months. The region is well positioned to support the growing sector due to existing industry presence, central location and transportation access — allowing companies to meet consumer demand more efficiently than ever before.

Openstore Selects KC region for $5 Million E-Commerce Fulfillment Center

OpenStore, a leading e-commerce platform and the largest operator of Shopify businesses, announced its first-ever fulfillment center in Kansas City, Missouri. The 113,000-square-foot facility, located at Executive Park Logistics Center, represents a $5 million investment and will create 46 new jobs over the next five years.

“This expansion not only enhances our operational capabilities but also positions us to better serve our customers while implementing technology-driven fulfillment solutions,” said David Reifschneider, head of supply chain at OpenStore.

KC’s New Airport Terminal: A Gateway to Regional Growth

Kansas City’s newly renovated international airport continues to drive economic growth across the two-state region. Since its opening in early 2023, the terminal has been a catalyst for both public and private investments.

The $1.5 billion single-terminal airport serves as a front door to the region and is the biggest infrastructure project in the city’s history. It also ranked third for overall customer satisfaction in the most recent North American Airport Satisfaction Study.