KC Gains Media Attention as EV Battery Additive Manufacturer Chooses the Region for North American HQ

On August 2, 2023, Cnano Technology USA announced its planned investment in a $94.7 million manufacturing facility in New Century, Kansas. The company will use the new facility to create liquid conductive paste, a component used for a variety of electronic applications, including batteries for electric vehicles, cell phones and power tools.

The news of the facility garnered local, national and industry trade media attention, generating more than 74,000 views from coverage with an audience reach of 11.7 million.

National/Industry Trade Highlights

Local Media Highlights

International Companion Animal Pharmaceutical Company Locates HQ in KC & Makes Industry Headlines

On July 11, 2023, Felixvet, an upcoming manufacturer of generic pharmaceuticals in the companion animal industry, announced its plans to locate its North American headquarters in the Briarcliff development in Kansas City, Missouri.

The news of the innovative facility garnered the attention from a variety of industry trade media outlets, generating coverage with an audience reach of 45 million.

Media Highlights

International Manufacturer of Electric Vehicle Components Selects KC Region for North American Headquarters

New Century, Kan. – August 2, 2023 – The Kansas City Area Development Council announced today that international company Cnano Technology USA, Inc. plans to invest $94.7 million in a 333,000-square-foot manufacturing facility at the New Century Commerce Center. The new facility is expected to create 112 jobs with a payroll of $7.1 million.

Cnano will use the new facility to create liquid conductive paste, a component used for a variety of electronic applications, including batteries for electric vehicles, cell phones and power tools.

“Cnano Technology is incredibly excited to partner with Johnson County to build out a new U.S. facility to manufacture conductive and structural additive products for the lithium-ion battery, rubber and polymer, and composite markets,” said Shawn Montgomery, president of Cnano Technology USA, Inc. “We’re proud to bring cutting-edge technology, investment dollars and, most importantly, jobs to the region.”

Located in Johnson County in the southwest area of the Kansas City region, the New Century Commerce Center is a multimodal industrial center offering direct access to air, rail and interstate transportation over 2,700 acres.

“We are pleased to welcome Cnano to the New Century Commerce Center, joining over 60 multinational businesses who are leaders in the fields of warehousing, distribution, printing, food processing, manufacturing and avionics,” said Johnson County Board of County Commissioners Chairman Mike Kelly. “In addition to the more than 110 jobs this company will create, I appreciate the science and innovation coming into our community and look forward to the impact EV batteries will ultimately make towards decreasing vehicle emissions and helping to protect our planet.”

Cnano’s new facility will be located in a Class-A spec building in the Commerce Center, which was developed in an 850-acre public-private partnership, publicly by Johnson County Government and the Johnson County Airport Commission, privately by VanTrust Real Estate and marketed by CBRE. Newmark Zimmer represented Cnano in their site search.

“VanTrust is proud to partner with Johnson County as the master developer for the New Century Commerce Center. When fully completed, we expect to have more than 7 million square feet of industrial space developed. We welcome the significant new investment and manufacturing jobs that the area will experience due to Cnano’s selection of New Century for their North American headquarters,” said Justin Duff, vice president of VanTrust Real Estate.

The Kansas City region continues to see massive industrial growth, particularly in the area of electric vehicle development, recently including Panasonic Energy’s plans to build a $4 billion electric vehicle battery manufacturing facility in De Soto, Kansas.

“As a thriving hub for manufacturing and logistics, the Kansas City region is a highly attractive choice for innovative companies, including Cnano, to locate their operations,” said Chris Gutierrez, president of KC SmartPort. “With the most central location in the U.S., available real estate options and access to more than 190,000 skilled industrial workers, KC continues to stake its claim in the attraction of industrial innovation.”

A leading North American logistics hub and key location for manufacturing, distribution and e-commerce, the Kansas City region has delivered 70 million square feet of industrial development in the last ten years and employs more than 190,000 people in the manufacturing and logistics industry.


About Cnano Technology

Cnano Technology USA is a world leader in the production of engineered nano-carbon products used in energy storage applications. Cnano Technology has a commitment to the research and development, production, and sales of carbon nanotubes and graphene, as well as application development. A global technical pioneer, Cnano Technology’s commercial applications include materials for lithium-ion batteries, conductive polymer composites, antistatic coatings, tire rubber reinforcement and other markets.  For more information, contact Cnano Technology USA at (888) 451-4283.

About VanTrust Real Estate, LLC

VanTrust Real Estate, LLC is a full-service real estate development company that has been named NAIOP’s 2023 Developer of the Year. The company acquires and develops real estate assets for the Van Tuyl family portfolio and offers a broad range of real estate services including acquisition, disposition, development, development services, corporate services, and asset management. Product types include office, industrial, multifamily, science + technology and mixed-use. VanTrust works nationally with regional offices in Columbus, Dallas, Phoenix, and Jacksonville with its headquarters in Kansas City, Missouri. For more information, visit www.vantrustre.com.

About the Kansas City Area Development Council (KCADC)

Serving the 18-county, two-state Kansas City area, the Kansas City Area Development Council is an economic development nonprofit that promotes the 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, KC Global Design and KC Heartland. | onekc.org

About Greater Kansas City

Home to 2.5 million people, Kansas City is a vibrant metro in the heart of the U.S., known as the “KC Heartland.” The KC region is a center for leading industries including technology, logistics, animal health and entrepreneurship, and is home to a renowned arts community. | www.KC.org

International Pharmaceutical Company Chooses Kansas City for North American Headquarters

Kansas City, Mo.  July 11, 2023 – The KC Animal Health Corridor is pleased to announce that Felixvet, an upcoming manufacturer of generic pharmaceuticals in the companion animal industry, selected Briarcliff, a northern suburb of Kansas City, Missouri, for its North American headquarters.

The company, based out of Ireland, decided to establish its presence in the KC region due to the strategic advantages of being situated within the Animal Health Corridor, the world’s largest concentration of animal health companies. The new office will serve as the center to support commercial and regulatory operations throughout the United States and Canada.

“We are confident that Felixvet is poised to become one of the leading companion animal generic drug companies globally,” said Vince Palasota, President of North America at Felix. “With our extensive pipeline, quick response capabilities, and deep understanding of ANADA and brand competition strategies, we believe the veterinarian and marketing partners will recognize the significant value-added benefits we bring to the table.”

Neeraj Agrawal, CEO of Felix, stated, “We recently obtained FDA approval for India’s first oral solid dose facility dedicated to Animal Health pharmaceuticals and are nearing completion of our sterile fill injectable plant. Currently, Felixvet has been granted nine approvals for the United State market, with three additional products anticipated for approval by the end of 2023. These advancements give us a distinct competitive advantage in the animal health sector as we introduce our portfolio of products to the market.

The KC region is located in the heart of the Animal Health Corridor, encompassing 56 percent of global animal health, diagnostics and pet food sales. Representing more than 300 animal health companies in the region, the KC Animal Health Corridor, an affiliate of the Kansas City Area Development Council, offers an unparalleled ecosystem for growth and collaboration.

“We are proud to welcome Felixvet, a business committed to advancing animal health through high-quality pharmaceuticals, to the Kansas City region,” said Kimberly Young, president of the KC Animal Health Corridor. “Here, Felix will enjoy proximity to many of their industry clients who call the KC Animal Health Corridor home, as well as abundant access to distribution resources and a robust animal health industry network.”


About Felixvet: 

Founded in 2015 by Dr. Shumeet Banerji, Jon Symonds and Neeraj Agrawal, Felix is in the business of developing bio-equivalent generic pharmaceutical products for companion animals upon patent expiry. The company’s initial focus is to market and distribute these products in the U.S., upon approval by the Food and Drug Administration. Felix aims to be the first truly global generic companion animal pharmaceutical player focusing on the top 10 veterinary markets of the world. It aims to make bio-equivalent generics available at affordable prices from cGMP-compliant manufacturing plants.

About the 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. Anchored by Manhattan, Kansas, and Columbia, Missouri, the Corridor serves as a thriving hub for innovation and collaboration. For more information, please visit www.kcanimalhealth.com.

About the Kansas City Area Development Council (KCADC):

Serving the 18-county, two-state Kansas City area, the Kansas City Area Development Council is an economic development nonprofit that promotes the 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, KC Heartland and KC Global Design. | onekc.com

Global Company’s Choice of KC Makes Animal Health Industry Headlines

On May 1, 2023, global pet food manufacturer, DSM, announced plans to build a next-generation nutritional premix plant in Tonganoxie, Kansas.

The news of the innovative facility drew the attention of industry trade media from around the country, generating 25 pieces of coverage with an audience reach of 9.8 million.

National & Industry Trade Media Highlights

Local Media Highlights

300+ HR and Talent Acquisition Leaders Gather for TeamKC Training Camp Focused on ‘Future of Work’

The largest talent leadership summit in KC, the TeamKC Training Camp provides insight on future of work trends and unveils the 2023 TeamKC Scouting Report 

Kansas City, Mo. – May 4, 2023 – TeamKC, a strategic initiative of the Kansas City Area Development Council and the Kansas City region’s authority on HR and talent acquisition, hosted its annual Training Camp event today. 

The event brought together more than 300 professionals from across the metro to learn about national talent trends and how the KC market stacks up in the global race for talent.

“As companies continue to expand and compete in a rapidly changing business and workforce landscape, attracting and retaining top talent has become more critical than ever,” said Danielle Hilton, managing director of TeamKC at the Kansas City Area of Development Council. “The Kansas City region is a hotspot for talent, attracting candidates from many larger metros, including Dallas, Chicago, Denver, Washington D.C. and Los Angeles. Knowledge sharing with peers and understanding the latest national talent trends ensures KC’s HR and talent acquisition professionals have the best tools to attract and retain top talent to support their organizations’ goals.” 

The event focused on the highly competitive market that HR and talent acquisition professionals face. Keynote speaker for the TeamKC Training Camp, Eric Termuende, dove into these rapidly shifting trends surrounding the future of work.

“The race for talent is more competitive than ever before,” said Termuende. “We have a Gen Z talent gap, where there aren’t enough workers to replace Baby Boomers leaving the workforce. We have varied priorities regarding remote work policies. We have job listings that need a modern overhaul. It takes key strategy to navigate this new territory, and professionals in the HR and TA space need to continuously prepare for what’s next.”

In addition to remarks from Termuende, the event included the premiere of the 2023 TeamKC Scouting Report, a comprehensive analysis of national recruitment and retention trends, as well as thought leadership on Kansas City’s strategic advantages in the current talent landscape.

“Working together as a region to position Kansas City as a great place to live and work ensures that we’re creating an environment that brings in the nation’s top talent,” said Brandi Riggs, vice president of human resources at McCownGordon Construction and TeamKC Board of Advisors co-chair. “As the skilled manufacturing industry experiences significant job growth, understanding workforce trends allows McCownGordon, and companies across the region, continue to compete on a national scale.”

The Kansas City Aviation Department was presented with the TeamKC MVP Award in recognition for its leadership in opening the new terminal at the KCI Airport. The terminal, which features state-of-the-art facilities and inclusive design, provides a world-class experience for incoming and departing travelers.

As the KC region’s authority on talent acquisition and retention, TeamKC has helped to attract thousands of individuals to the area in the last five years and supported major economic development successes including Panasonic, USDA, Meta and URBN, among others. The organization collaborates with more than 1,100 recruiters, HR executives and community partners to create resources that support the growth of local employers. This includes KC Options, TeamKC’s annual publication with digital readership in 85 countries, and its annual intern program connecting more than 1,000 young professionals with lifestyle activities each summer.

“KC is on a global stage right now – winning the Super Bowl, hosting the NFL draft, planning for the World Cup, revitalizing critical infrastructure to draw more people to visit and stay here. These investments are furthering KC’s recognition as a top destination for talent,” said Lauren Bertram, talent acquisition director at Burns & McDonnell and TeamKC co-chair. “Being part of the TeamKC network offers the tools and resources Burns & McDonnell and our peers need to tell that exciting KC story, helping us to attract the best and brightest from around the world.”

The TeamKC Board of Advisors is comprised of representatives at leading companies in the KC region, including BHC, Black & Veatch, Burns & McDonnell, Children’s Mercy Hospital, Dairy Farmers of America, Dimensional Innovations, Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City, Garmin International, Inc., H&R Block, Hallmark Cards, Inc., Henderson Engineers | Henderson Building Solutions, Kansas City National Security Campus – managed by Honeywell FM&T, KCAS Bioanalytical & Biomarker Services, Lockton Companies, McCownGordon Construction, Morgan Hunter, Netsmart, Northwest Missouri State University – Kansas City, Oracle Cerner, ReeceNichols Real Estate and T-Mobile.


About TeamKC

TeamKC, an initiative of the Kansas City Area Development Council, is the KC region’s authority on promoting Kansas City as a destination for talent. Working closely with a number of regional partners, TeamKC acts as an extension of the recruiting and HR teams of more than 250 major employers, a network of 1,100+ recruiters in the KC region, helping them navigate and respond to talent market influences every day. As the region’s effort to help employers attract the best and brightest talent, TeamKC helps ensure candidates say “yes” to relocate to or stay in the region to start or further their career.

Serving the 18-county, two-state Kansas City area, the Kansas City Area Development Council promotes the 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, KC Heartland and KC Global Design. Learn more at www.TeamKC.com.

DSM to build next-generation premix plant in KC region for clean premixes focused on pet food and companion animals

Tonganoxie, Kan. – May 1, 2023 – DSM, a global purpose-led health and nutrition company, today announced that it plans to build a next-generation nutritional premix plant in Tonganoxie, Kansas, creating 28 jobs.

The new location will supply the pet food industry with high-quality nutritional premixes for use in branded pet food products worldwide. The facility is expected to break ground in July 2023 and be fully operational by early 2025.

“The pet food industry has been looking for a better source for the highest quality, traceable and reliable nutritional ingredients for their products and we are thrilled to be able to deliver for the industry and for ‘pet parents’ with this new facility in Tonganoxie,” said DSM Co-CEO, Dimitri de Vreeze. “We appreciate the support of Kansas Governor Laura Kelly, the Kansas Department of Commerce, the Leavenworth County Development Corporation, the City of Tonganoxie, Evergy and the Animal Health Corridor in making this state-of-the-art facility a reality.”

“DSM is a welcome addition to Kansas and the Animal Health Corridor,” said Kansas Governor Laura Kelly. “Having another industry leader locate here further enhances the globally recognized animal health ecosystem that is anchored in Kansas.”

The facility will be strategically located in the KC Animal Health Corridor, close to many of the industry-leading pet food manufacturers, reducing supply chain risk and logistics expense.

“Leavenworth County Development Corporation would like to thank all the regional, state, and local entities that have worked cooperatively on this project,” said president of the Leavenworth County Development Corporation, Jeremy Greenamyre. “This is precisely the type of company we hoped would consider our community as a place to invest and locate. We welcome DSM to the Tonganoxie Business Park.”

“We’re excited to learn more about DSM becoming a new corporate neighbor in our community,” said Tonganoxie Mayor David Frese. “This is another smart growth opportunity to continue building our future with high-quality jobs and sustainable development.”

The Kansas facility will feature precision micro-batching capability, allowing for precise automated micro-addition of numerous ingredients to premixes in a fully traceable manner. This will support the use of a broader range of DSM and third-party ingredients, allowing the company to create more inclusive and unique premix offerings to meet the evolving needs of the pet food industry and creating peace of mind to customers in regard to quality, safety and reliability.

Importantly, the increased process automation of the state-of-the-art plant will allow for greater traceability, accuracy and automated weight verification, as each batch moves in its own containerized transport system in an automated manner through the facility. This will allow DSM to provide the speed and accuracy in high demand by customers in the pet food industry.

“As the highest concentration of animal health assets in the world, the Kansas City region is home to a robust industry network, as well as abundant manufacturing and distribution resources,” said Kimberly Young, president of the KC Animal Health Corridor. “The region continues to attract top companies in the industry, and we’re proud that DSM has selected the Corridor for this state-of-the-art, innovative new facility.”

In addition to meeting all food safety requirements and exceeding current standards for pet food production, the facility is designed with sustainability in mind.  The plant’s automated mixing vessels will reduce waste by decreasing flushes necessary for sequencing and will operate on 100% renewable electricity, consistent with all DSM facilities in North America.

Please visit the DSM at booth 1306 at the Petfood Forum May 1-3 in Kansas City, Missouri, to view additional renderings of this exciting new facility and learn more about its industry-leading capabilities.


About DSM

DSM is a global, purpose-led company in Health, Nutrition & Bioscience, applying science to improve the health of people, animals and the planet. DSM’s purpose is to create brighter lives for all. DSM’s products and solutions address some of the world’s biggest challenges while simultaneously creating economic, environmental and societal value for all its stakeholders – customers, employees, shareholders, and society at large. The company was founded in 1902 and is listed on Euronext Amsterdam. More information can be found at www.dsm.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. The KC Animal Health Corridor is a strategic initiative of the Kansas City Area Development Council. For more information, visit www.kcanimalhealth.com

About Greater Kansas City

Home to 2.5 million people, Kansas City is a vibrant metro in the heart of the U.S., known as the “KC Heartland.” The KC region is a center for leading industries including technology, logistics, animal health and entrepreneurship, and is home to a renowned arts community. | www.KC.org


Forward-looking statements
This press release may contain forward-looking statements with respect to DSM’s future (financial) performance and position. Such statements are based on current expectations, estimates and projections of DSM and information currently available to the company. DSM cautions readers that such statements involve certain risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict and therefore it should be understood that many factors can cause actual performance and position to differ materially from these statements. DSM has no obligation to update the statements contained in this press release, unless required by law. The English language version of the press release is leading.

Hillman Opens 305,000-Square-Foot Distribution Hub in the Kansas City Region

Belton, Mo. – April 25, 2023 — Hillman Solutions Corp. (Nasdaq: HLMN), a leading provider of hardware products and merchandising solutions, has opened its brand-new distribution hub in Belton, Missouri, a southern suburb of Kansas City. Relocating from Rialto, California, Hillman’s new facility is approximately 305,000 square feet and fulfilled its first shipment on Monday, April 3, 2023.

“As 85 percent of the U.S. population can be reached in one to two business days, the central location of the new distribution hub will allow us to better serve our customers,” said Doug Cahill, chairman, president and chief executive officer of Hillman.

According to Cahill, the Kansas City facility will be optimal for logistics, allowing the facility to get products on the shelves of the more than 40,000 retail locations Hillman ships to faster than ever. “Taking care of the customer is in our DNA and this move will help us do just that.”

“We’re proud that a leading company like Hillman has recognized Missouri as an ideal location for business,” said Governor Mike Parson. “Our state’s advantages, including its strategic location, strong infrastructure, and low business costs, continue to attract investments from innovative companies. We look forward to the Hillman’s success as it grows and creates jobs in the Kansas City area.”

“Hillman’s decision to open a new distribution hub here in Missouri strategically positions them within 600 miles of 135+ million potential customers, helping them reach even more customers quickly and efficiently. We are excited to welcome Hillman to Missouri, and we are looking forward to watching them grow in our state,” said Subash Alias, CEO of Missouri Partnership.

“The City of Belton is proud to be chosen as the newest location for Hillman. The leading North American hardware company plans to bring 120 new jobs to Belton’s Southview Commerce Center,” said Mayor of Belton, Norman K. Larkey Sr.

The Kansas City region offers abundant access to rail, air, water and road transportation, with 30% more interstate miles per capita than any other U.S. city. This contributes to the region as an ideal location for industrial growth, with 11.4 million sq. ft. of industrial space delivered in 2022, totaling an industrial market footprint of nearly 321 million sq. ft.

“Hillman’s selection of Belton, Missouri, for its new facility reinforces our region as a hub for distribution,” said Chris Gutierrez, president of KC SmartPort. “The Kansas City region’s central location, multi-modal transportation, skilled workforce and vertical readiness help position leading companies like Hillman for continued growth.”

For those interested in becoming a part of the Hillman team in Belton, please visit hillmangroup.com/careers.


About Hillman Solutions Corp.

Founded in 1964 and headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio, Hillman Solutions Corp. (“Hillman”) and its subsidiaries are leading North American providers of complete hardware solutions, delivered with outstanding customer service to over 60,000 locations. Hillman designs innovative product and merchandising solutions for complex categories that deliver an outstanding customer experience to home improvement centers, mass merchants, national and regional hardware stores, pet supply stores, and OEM & industrial customers. Leveraging its leading distribution and sales network, Hillman delivers a “small business” experience with “big business” efficiency. For more information on Hillman, visit www.hillmangroup.com.

About the Kansas City Area Development Council (KCADC)

Serving the 18-county, two-state Kansas City area, the Kansas City Area Development Council is an economic development nonprofit that promotes the 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, KC Heartland and KC Global Design. | onekc.org

About Greater Kansas City

Home to 2.5 million people, Kansas City is a vibrant metro in the heart of the U.S., known as the “KC Heartland.” The KC region is a center for leading industries including technology, logistics, animal health and entrepreneurship, and is home to a renowned arts community. | www.KC.org


Forward Looking Statements
You should not rely on these forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. Words such as “expect,” “estimate,” “project,” “budget,” “forecast,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan,” “target”, “goal”, “may,” “will,” “could,” “should,” “believes,” “predicts,” “potential,” “continue,” and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements include, without limitation, the Company’s expectations with respect to future performance. These forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual results to differ materially from the expected results. Most of these factors are outside the Company’s control and are difficult to predict. Factors that may cause such differences include, but are not limited to: (1) unfavorable economic conditions that may affect operations, financial condition and cash flows including spending on home renovation or construction projects, inflation, recessions, instability in the financial markets or credit markets; (2) increased supply chain costs, including raw materials, sourcing, transportation and energy; (3) the highly competitive nature of the markets that we serve; (4) the ability to continue to innovate with new products and services; (5) seasonality; (6) large customer concentration; (7) the ability to recruit and retain qualified employees; (8) the outcome of any legal proceedings that may be instituted against the Company; (9) adverse changes in currency exchange rates; (10) the impact of COVID-19 on the Company’s business; or (11) regulatory changes and potential legislation that could adversely impact financial results. The foregoing list of factors is not exclusive, and readers should also refer to those risks that are included in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), including its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022 to be filed subsequent to the conference call presenting 2022 results. Given these uncertainties, current or prospective investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any such forward looking statements.

Except as required by applicable law, the Company does not undertake or accept any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements in this communication to reflect any change in its expectations or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based.

Video | Drafting the Best Talent for KC’s A/E/C Industry

Just as the Draft – coming to Kansas City in April 2023 – is all about attracting top-tier talent to the upper echelon of the football world, KC companies are working together to bring the best and brightest design talent to the region’s A/E/C industry.

KC Global Design’s member firms recently collaborated on a video to illustrate their take on how the region’s A/E/C companies “draft” highly-skilled talent to their companies.

The video shines a spotlight on KC’s thriving architecture, engineering and construction industries and aligns with KC Global Design’s mission to amplify Kansas City as a hub for design, representing the more than 1,000 A/E/C firms that call the region home. 

A special thank you to Burns & McDonnell’s creative teams for ideating and helping produce this unique campaign, as well as BNIM, HNTB and JE Dunn for their participation in the filming process.

Visit to continue to discover the more than 1,300 current A/E/C job opportunities across the region at the KC Global Design webpage.

Three people around a green screen recording the KC Global Design Draft video

The video, featuring the nearly 60 KC Global Design member firms, came together thanks to the collaborative efforts that define Kansas City’s A/E/C industry.

Kansas City is at the Center of the Electric Revolution

The KC region leads the charge in the electrification industry, attracting investment from major brands, including Panasonic Energy

Kansas City, Mo. – April 12, 2023 – KC SmartPort hosted its annual industry briefing today, focused on the Kansas City region’s momentum as a leader in the field of electrification. The event featured Panasonic and Burns & McDonnell leadership, who shared their insights on the electric vehicle (EV) industry and its impact on infrastructure, global supply chains and industrial development.

With the rising demand for electric vehicles, the global EV battery market continues to grow, with an estimated value of $56.4 billion in 2022 and an expected value of $134.6 billion by 2027. In North America, the electric vehicle battery manufacturing capacity in 2030 is projected to be nearly 20 times greater than in 2021.

Kansas City’s robust infrastructure, ideal location and skilled workforce make it a leading location as the world moves into the next phase of electrification. The selection of the region by Panasonic Energy Co., Ltd., for its estimated $4 billion EV battery manufacturing facility in 2022, solidified the region as an electrification hub.

“The new facility will increase our global capacity by 60% and provide much-needed capacity to the American EV battery supply chain,” said Ajay Gnanasekaran, director of strategy and program management with Panasonic Energy Co., Ltd. “We’re excited to join the Kansas community and make the area a key driver for the EV industry, while expanding production of lithium-ion batteries to automakers across the U.S. and supporting more sustainable transportation options for consumers.”

Electric vehicle innovation finds a solid foundation in Kansas City, as the region’s transportation manufacturing industry is valued at $19 billion and produces more than 650,000 vehicles each year. The region also offers companies a variety of distribution-related advantages, including abundant access to multi-modal transportation and 85% of the U.S. accessible in two days or less by road.

“It is an exciting time to be in the electricity business — and at Burns & McDonnell — as the share of renewable energy on the grid grows at a quickening pace and the power generation industry innovates and changes in ways that we probably haven’t seen in 100 years,” said Chris Ruckman, vice president, energy storage, at Burns & McDonnell. “There is no disputing the importance of renewable energy in our future, and with some of the best engineering, architecture, and construction talent in the world in Kansas City, I think our city’s best days are still ahead.”

“Kansas City is a leading market globally to move the electric revolution forward,” said Chris Gutierrez, president of KC SmartPort. “As a centralized inland logistics port, our region has the location and resources to support global enterprise and ancillary suppliers as they expand and innovate in the EV space. ”

In addition to the Panasonic megaproject, the Kansas City region has attracted a significant number of globally-recognized brands in the past several years, including Meta, URBN, Chick-fil-A Supply, Amazon Air and Walgreens.


About KC SmartPort:

KC SmartPort, an affiliate of the Kansas City Area Development Council, is the authority on logistics opportunities in the Kansas City region. As KC’s regional economic development organization that attracts industrial into the market, KC SmartPort has helped bring more than 8,000 jobs, $309 million in payroll and $2.1 billion capital investment totaling 18.4 million square feet to the KC region in the last five years.

Serving the 18-county, two-state Kansas City area, the Kansas City Area Development Council promotes the 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, KC Heartland and KC Global Design. Learn more at KCSmartPort.com.