Location Profile: Missouri's Kansas City Region
Oct/Nov 08
Located in the geographic center of the US, Kansas City represents two states, 50 distinctive communities and 2 million people. An excellent transportation infrastructure connects the region to customers near and far with an expanded airport, excellent rail and highway access and one of the country's most active inland ports.
A diverse mix of manufacturing, technology, financial and logistics firms attract top talent to the region. Kansas City-based Stowers Institute for Medical Research houses 25 independent research programs and continually earns international recognition from leading bio-science journals.
Animal Health also has a stronghold here. Since the 2006 launch of the KC Animal Health Corridor (from Columbia, Missouri to Manhattan, Kansas) nine new animal health companies have sprung up creating 371 new jobs and $53.8 million in capital investment.
Even with a challenging economy, Kansas City is experiencing growth. Pacific Sunwear and Pure Fishing, Inc. are expected to bring large distribution centers to the region within a year.
Manufacturing still accounts for a significant amount of the area's business. Ford Motor's Kansas City plant is one of its most productive facilities. Harley-Davidson partners with Kansas City's Metropolitan Community College - Business & Technology Campus (MCC-BTC) to provide manufacturing training for their KC assembly plant.
Kansas City couldn't compete in these arenas were it not for its highly-educated workforce. According to the US Bureau of the Census, production workers from this region contribute 40 percent more value added per hour than the national average. Kansas City's percentage of residents with a college degree is more than four percent above the US average.
Kansas City Area Development Council
Tim Cowden, Sr. V.P.
2600 Commerce Tower
911 Main Street
Kansas City, MO 64150
816.221.2121
www.thinkKC.com