Kansas City is making its mark in the aviation and defense industry. Ranked among the nation’s Top 15 aerospace and defense markets, the region is at the forefront of the conversation about where the industry’s next generation of investment will take shape.
As companies navigate a changing investment landscape, markets with the right combination of skilled talent, infrastructure, industry expertise and business climate have a growing competitive advantage in this industry. Kansas City is bringing all four to the table.
Sharing her insights with regional industrial leaders at KC SmartPort’s board meeting in October 2026, Sarah White of Global Location Strategies discussed Kansas City as coming up in conversations more and more. The opportunity now is to turn that growing recognition into greater national visibility and continued investment.
Kansas City’s competitive advantage
Kansas City’s position is backed by a compelling combination of workforce strength and business competitiveness.
The Kansas City National Security Campus produces approximately 80% of the non-nuclear components for the nation’s nuclear deterrent and employs roughly 7,000 people. Across the region, nearly 43,000 workers support aerospace and advanced manufacturing, alongside 23,000 engineers, drafters and technologists and more than 10,000 credentialed cybersecurity professionals.
In Global Location Strategies’ aerospace and defense market assessment, Kansas City earned the No. 1 ranking in incentives and deal competitiveness. KC also ranked No. 3 in the West North Central region for workforce and engineering talent, placing the region at No. 15 overall for the industry.
KC is a standout for its balance of quality and cost, placing it in the higher-quality, lower-cost category of the analysis.
That combination matters. Companies aren’t simply looking for the lowest-cost location. They’re looking for places where they can access specialized talent, build and operate efficiently and establish a foundation for long-term success.
An advantage that extends beyond aerospace and defense
Kansas City’s appeal to aerospace and defense companies is rooted in more than its existing industry presence. Its central location, extensive transportation network and position as one of the nation’s Top 15 industrial markets create advantages that extend across industries.
The region’s strength in advanced manufacturing and logistics is complemented by capabilities in cybersecurity and design + construction. Together, these industries form an interconnected business ecosystem that supports complex operations, strengthens supply chains and continues to invest in workforce development.
As competition for aerospace and defense investment continues to evolve, Kansas City has an opportunity to bring these advantages into sharper focus. The region isn’t starting from scratch. It’s building on an established industrial base, a diverse network of expertise and the infrastructure to support what’s next.
Discover more about KC’s defense industry.