Recent Success Archives

Front Line Safety Establishes New Distribution Center in Kansas City, Missouri

Facility to create 21 new jobs and strengthen Kansas City’s position as a leading industrial hub

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (June 2, 2026) — Front Line Safety today announced plans to establish a new safety and first aid solutions distribution center in Kansas City, Missouri, investing $1.7 million and creating 21 new jobs. The project is expected to generate $6.1 million in new annual payroll.

“Front Line Safety’s decision to establish a new distribution center in Kansas City is another strong signal that Missouri continues to be a destination for companies focused on growth, innovation and service,” said Governor Mike Kehoe. “This investment strengthens critical supply chains for safety and first aid solutions while creating new opportunities for Missourians and supporting the continued momentum of the Kansas City region. We are proud to welcome Front Line Safety to Missouri and look forward to their long-term success in our state.”

“We are excited to expand our operations with a new warehouse and distribution center in Kansas City, Missouri,” said Joe Bratter, chairman & CEO of Front Line Safety. “After an extensive nationwide search, Kansas City emerged as the clear choice for our next phase of growth. The region’s unmatched multimodal infrastructure, strong and reliable workforce, and central geographic location create an ideal environment for a modern distribution operation that can efficiently serve our customers.”

The 113,000-square-foot facility, secured with local real estate firm CBRE, will support Front Line Safety’s continued growth and expand the company’s ability to efficiently serve customers throughout the Midwest and across North America.

“Kansas City continues to attract companies that recognize the value of our workforce, infrastructure and strategic location,” said Mario Vasquez, City Manager of Kansas City, Missouri. “Front Line Safety’s investment demonstrates the confidence businesses have in our community and our ability to support long-term growth.”

Front Line Safety joins a well-established and highly connected distribution and logistics ecosystem in the region, where robust multimodal infrastructure enables distributors to reach 90% of the contiguous U.S. within two days or less. Combined with its central U.S. location and strong pipeline of skilled workers, the Kansas City region provides manufacturing, distribution and supply chain companies with unmatched connectivity and operational efficiency.

“Front Line Safety’s expansion into Missouri highlights the state’s strength as a logistics hub,” said Subash Alias, CEO of Missouri Partnership. “With our central location, skilled workforce and strong transportation network, Missouri continues to attract companies that keep critical industries moving safely and efficiently.”

“As a top 15 U.S. industrial market, Kansas City continues to stand out as one of North America’s most strategic logistics hubs, offering companies unmatched access to customers, suppliers and major transportation networks,” said Chris Gutierrez, president of KC SmartPort. “Front Line Safety’s investment reinforces the region’s strength as a premier location for distribution and supply chain operations, and we’re excited to support the company’s continued growth in the Kansas City market.”

The facility is expected to officially open in July 2026.

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About Front Line Safety

For more than 30 years, Front Line Safety has provided workplace safety, first aid and compliance solutions for businesses across North America. The company specializes in customized safety programs, first aid and PPE solutions, centralized ordering systems and compliance support designed to help organizations create safer and more efficient workplaces. Front Line Safety offers more than 3,000 safety products and services tailored to a range of multi-unit businesses, including grocery stores, restaurant chains, hospitality operators and manufacturing companies located across the United States. | flsafety.com

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

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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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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

Lambda Doubles Down on Midwest Expansion, To Build AI Factory in Kansas City, MO

San Francisco, CA – October 28, 2025 – Lambda, the Superintelligence Cloud, today announced it is planning to transform an unoccupied 2009-built facility in Kansas City, Missouri, into a state-of-the-art AI Factory.

This Kansas City deployment is part of Lambda’s mission to build the infrastructure backbone for the Superintelligence era. Under the agreement, Lambda is planning to develop and operate the facility as the sole tenant. The site is expected to launch in early 2026 with 24MW of capacity, and the potential to scale up to more than 100MW in the future.

“Missouri is proud to welcome Lambda as they create new, high-quality jobs and strengthen our state’s technology and innovation ecosystem,” said Governor Mike Kehoe. “Their decision to grow here demonstrates the confidence that leading companies have in our people, our infrastructure, and our pro-business environment. It’s been said that AI is the space race of our time, and we must win. Data centers are the future and critical to our continued ability to drive technological innovation, strengthen our economy, and safeguard our national security interests. Partnerships like this ensure Missouri remains at the forefront of America’s winning strategy.”

“Our Kansas City development perfectly embodies Lambda’s strategy: a prime location for our customers, an accelerated deployment timeline, and an unwavering commitment to on-time delivery,” said Ken Patchett, VP of Datacenter Infrastructure at Lambda. “We believe this success stems from completely rethinking how AI factories should be built and operated.”

Building big, shipping fast

When the facility launches in early 2026, it will initially feature more than 10,000 NVIDIA Blackwell Ultra GPUs—a footprint expected to double over time. The supercomputer is dedicated to a single Lambda customer for large-scale AI training and inference, under a multi-year agreement.

“Today in Kansas City, we are building the infrastructure to capitalize on AI’s boom,” said Mayor Quinton Lucas. “An investment of this scale in the Northland highlights our city’s strength in technology, innovation, and job creation, and brings an empty asset back to life through creative reuse.”

The project enables Lambda to repurpose unused power and transform a formerly advanced data center into an AI-ready, future-proofed facility.

“Choosing Kansas City, Missouri, for a next-generation AI data center sends a clear message: Missouri is the tech leader in the center of the country,” said Subash Alias, CEO of Missouri Partnership. “We applaud Lambda for building an AI factory in the heart of the U.S. This is a generational investment that will expand opportunity for Missourians and accelerate the digital economy.”

“This investment from Lambda showcases the Kansas City region’s ability to creatively reimagine assets and attract transformative investment,” said Tim Cowden, President and CEO, Kansas City Area Development Council. “Data centers are critical to powering the innovation economy, and Kansas City wields the strength of infrastructure, reliable power, and a deep IT talent pool that continues to draw leading technology companies to the region.”

“Lambda’s investment in the Kansas City area emphasizes our state’s growing strength in technology and innovation,” said Michelle Hataway, Director of the Department of Economic Development. “DED is proud to support future-focused projects like this that enhance our workforce, drive sustainable growth across the region, and create opportunities for Missourians to prosper.”

This project was made through many local partners in Kansas City including the State of Missouri, Missouri Dept. of Economic Development, Missouri Partnership, Kansas City Area Development Council (KCADC), Platte County EDC, City of Kansas City, Mo., Economic Development Corporation of Kansas City, Mo., Port KC, Evergy, Spire, Inc., KC Tech Council, Russell Construction, Henderson Engineers, U.S. Engineering, and Capital Electric.

About Lambda

Lambda, The Superintelligence Cloud, builds gigawatt-scale AI factories for training and inference. From prototyping to serving billions of users in production, we build the underlying infrastructure that powers AI. Lambda was founded in 2012 by published AI engineers.

Lambda’s mission is to make compute as ubiquitous as electricity and give everyone in America the power of superintelligence. One person, One GPU.

Forward Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements about the company and its business, including its expectations regarding data center capacity, based on management’s beliefs, assumptions, and expectations. Words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “estimate,” “expect,” “future,” “intend,” “plan,” and “will,” or similar expressions, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These statements are based on management’s current expectations, are not guarantees of future performance, and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied.

Lambda Press Contact
pr@lambdal.com

Merck Animal Health Expands Operations with $895 Million Investment in De Soto, Kansas

Expansion further establishes KC region as global leader in animal health

DE SOTO, Kan. – May 8, 2025 – Merck Animal Health, a leading biopharmaceutical company, today announced plans to invest $895 million in the expansion of its biologics facility in De Soto, Kansas.

One of the most significant economic development projects in Kansas history and the largest to date for Merck Animal Health, the 200,000-square-foot expansion includes an $860 million investment in the site’s existing manufacturing facility and a $35 million investment in its research and development laboratories.

The project reinforces the Kansas City region’s position as the center of the global animal health industry, building on its long-standing network strength and strategic advantages in innovation.

“Our De Soto manufacturing facility is strategically located in the heart of the Animal Health Corridor. This region is renowned for its concentration of animal health companies, fostering an unparalleled ecosystem for innovation, collaboration and industry leadership,” said Richard DeLuca, president of Merck Animal Health. “This investment in our site is designed to increase Merck Animal Health’s ability to meet the growing customer demand for its portfolio of animal biologics products and ensure the company remains at the forefront of innovation in the animal health sector. This initiative also reflects our dedication to advancing animal health and our on-going investment in the communities where we operate.”

Site preparation and facility design will begin immediately, with 2,500 construction jobs expected to support site development. The expansion will create more than 200 new full-time roles when manufacturing operations begin in 2030.

“This extraordinary investment by Merck Animal Health underscores my administration’s commitment to securing a strong economic future for our state and ensuring prosperity for generations to come,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “Public-private partnerships that lead to major global projects, such as those with Merck, Fiserv and Panasonic — just to name a few recent successes — are occurring because people believe in Kansas. They believe in who we are, what we are doing and the direction we have taken.”

The new manufacturing facility will expand filling and freeze dryer capacity for large-molecule vaccines and biologic products for Merck Animal Health. As a designated Center of Excellence, it will play a key role in Merck Animal Health’s global manufacturing network while building on its decades-long legacy in the region.

“Merck has been a valued part of the De Soto community for over 20 years, and this $895 million expansion is a remarkable vote of confidence in our city’s future. We’re proud that Merck has chosen to grow right here at home — bringing 200 new jobs to our community and further strengthening a facility that has already played such an important role in our local economy,” said De Soto Mayor Rick Walker. “This is a true success story: we’ve not only retained a major employer, but we’ve helped create the conditions for their continued growth. It’s exactly the kind of outcome we work toward—keeping and expanding the businesses that make De Soto a great place to live, work and raise a family.”

Merck’s De Soto campus is strategically located within the KC Animal Health Corridor — the world’s largest concentration of animal health companies, home to more than 300 businesses representing 56% of global animal health, diagnostics and pet food sales.

“This announcement reaffirms what we’ve long known — the Animal Health Corridor is where global leaders come to grow,” said Kimberly Young, president of the KC Animal Health Corridor. “Merck Animal Health’s expansion in De Soto is more than a vote of confidence — it’s a signal to the world that this region is built for ambitious, industry-defining work.”

The project includes a major expansion of Merck’s research and development laboratories, further strengthening the company’s global leadership in parasiticide and therapeutics development, and deepening its roots in the De Soto community.

“Merck has been not only a great corporate citizen, but an integral economic engine in De Soto for the past 25 years. We are so pleased Merck has chosen to reinvest in our community and are committed to doing so well into the future,” said Tim Holverson, president of the De Soto Kansas Chamber of Commerce & EDC. “De Soto has shown they can deliver the workforce talent and values the economic partnership that has made this a true economic development success story.”

Media assets including photos, video and additional details are available in the Merck Animal Health media library.

About Merck Animal Health

At Merck, known as MSD outside of the United States and Canada, we are unified around our purpose: We use the power of leading-edge science to save and improve lives around the world. For more than a century, we’ve been at the forefront of research, bringing forward medicines, vaccines and innovative health solutions for the world’s most challenging diseases. Merck Animal Health, a division of Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, N.J., USA, is the global animal health business of Merck. Through its commitment to The Science of Healthier Animals®, Merck Animal Health offers veterinarians, farmers, producers, pet owners and governments one of the widest ranges of veterinary pharmaceuticals, vaccines and health management solutions and services as well as an extensive suite of connected technology that includes identification, traceability and monitoring products. Merck Animal Health is dedicated to preserving and improving the health, well-being and performance of animals and the people who care for them. It invests extensively in dynamic and comprehensive R&D resources and a modern, global supply chain. Merck Animal Health is present in more than 50 countries, while its products are available in some 150 markets. For more information, visit www.merck-animal-health.com and connect with us on LinkedIn, Facebook, X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram.

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. | 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

Kansas City Region Secures Fintech Powerhouse in Record-Breaking Office Project Attraction of Fiserv

The Fortune 500 company’s new strategic hub brings 2,000 jobs, long-term investment and industry innovation to Overland Park’s Aspiria campus

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. – April 21, 2025 – Fiserv, Inc. (NYSE: FI), a global leader in payments and financial services technology, has announced plans to establish a new strategic fintech hub in Overland Park, Kansas, bringing 2,000 new jobs and a projected $6.5 billion economic impact over the next decade.

The company will invest $175 million to renovate two buildings on the Aspiria campus at 6500 and 6550 Sprint Parkway. Spanning 427,000 square feet, the new strategic hub is the largest office project ever recruited from outside the market and marks a major milestone in the Kansas City region’s rise as a national tech and fintech leader.

“We are thrilled to expand our U.S. footprint, bringing our people together to drive innovation on behalf of our clients,” said Frank Bisignano, chairman and chief executive officer of Fiserv. “The greater Kansas City Metro area offers a dynamic environment with a growing population of tech talent, making it the ideal location for Fiserv’s next strategic fintech hub. Working with local and state leaders, we are committed to driving growth and prosperity for both Fiserv and Kansas while contributing to the vibrancy of the Overland Park community.”

“Fiserv’s new strategic hub in Overland Park is a significant step forward as we continue to elevate Kansas to new heights,” said Kansas Governor Laura Kelly. “Fiserv will create high-value career options including opportunities for military personnel transitioning to civilian life and graduates of our higher education system.”

Fiserv’s decision to grow in the Kansas City region underscores the metro’s strength in financial services and technology, as well as its ability to attract and retain high-caliber talent. The company plans to offer an average salary of $102,000 at the new hub and anticipates up to $4 billion in payroll investment over the next 10 years.

The new office will join a growing list of innovation centers across the country for Fiserv, including locations in Alpharetta, Milwaukee, Omaha, Berkeley Heights and New York City. The Kansas City region was selected based on its central location, high quality of life and concentration of financial and tech talent — all key to Fiserv’s hub strategy focused on collaboration and innovation.

“Overland Park is already a strong hub for business and technology leadership, and Fiserv is a natural fit in our community,” said Overland Park Mayor Skoog. “The thousands of jobs Fiserv brings, along with the potential to serve neighboring businesses within our thriving community, is a significant win. I look forward to welcoming Fiserv leadership and their employees to our city.”

“This historic investment is another example of a major company choosing to invest here and solidifies Johnson County as the economic engine of the metro region and the State of Kansas,” said Mike Kelly, Chairman of the Johnson County Board of County Commissioners.

The new strategic hub will also serve as a career engine for the local community, offering high-value opportunities to graduates of regional higher education institutions and to veterans transitioning to civilian careers.

“Fiserv’s investment is monumental — and so is the Kansas City region’s ability to deliver,” said Tim Cowden, president and CEO of the Kansas City Area Development Council. “With a fast-growing tech sector, a deep pipeline of financial services talent and a business community that works as one, Kansas City has the capacity and competitiveness to meet this moment. There’s no better proof that Kansas City is winning than a global fintech leader choosing KC over markets like Nashville, Dallas and Atlanta. Our market is arriving, and the rest of the country is taking notice.”

“Fiserv’s significant investment and job creation reflect the strength of our community, the vibrancy of our local economy and confidence in our community’s future,” said Tracey Osborne Oltjen, president & CEO of the Overland Park Chamber of Commerce. “The high-paying jobs and innovation this project brings will amplify our strong fintech sector and have a lasting, positive impact throughout the region. We’re proud to have partnered with Overland Park city leaders, the Kansas Department of Commerce and KCADC to make this project possible.”

Fiserv is expected to pursue Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification at the Overland Park facility, underscoring the company’s commitment to sustainability. Amenities at the Aspiria campus will support employee well-being, including fitness, dining and collaborative spaces — all aimed at attracting the region’s top tech talent.

“Fiserv selecting the Aspiria campus for a strategic employment hub further adds to the already thriving technology ecosystem in the Kansas City region,” said Chad Stafford, president of Occidental Management. “We are pleased to have played a part in bringing Fiserv’s long-term commitment to the community, where we believe we have a top-notch experiential environment to help attract the very best professional talent in the Midwest.”

About Fiserv

Fiserv, Inc. (NYSE: FI), a Fortune 500 company, aspires to move money and information in a way that moves the world. As a global leader in payments and financial technology, the company helps clients achieve best-in-class results through a commitment to innovation and excellence in areas including account processing and digital banking solutions; card issuer processing and network services; payments; e-commerce; merchant acquiring and processing; and the Clover® cloud-based point-of-sale and business management platform. Fiserv is a member of the S&P 500® Index and one of Fortune® World’s Most Admired Companies™. Visit fiserv.com and follow on social media for more information and the latest company news.