Distribution
THE KANSAS CITY REGION: Supply Chain Centered
The Kansas City region has a rich history as a center for commerce. Its heartland, river-based location made it a natural crossroads for transcontinental rail, interstate, and waterway. Through its history, Greater Kansas City has established itself as the leading center for trade and distribution within the central United States. Kansas City is experiencing one of the largest industrial booms in its history and is a center of choice for warehousing, manufacturing and distribution. Business has prospered due in large part to the region’s abundant, multi-modal transportation network.
Kansas City has several key components that make it an excellent hub for all transportation and logistics operations.
Location
Kansas City is the most centrally located major U.S. market. It is the focal point of movement and distribution of goods.
- Located at the intersection of four of the nation’s major interstate highways (I-35, I-70, I-29, I-49).
- KC is the largest rail center in the U.S. by tonnage.
- Five of the Class 1 rail lines intersecting in the region (BNSF, CP, KCS, NS, UP)
- The Kansas City International Airport moves more air cargo each year than any air center in a six-state region.
- Located on the largest navigable inland waterway (Missouri/Mississippi River system).
- A business-friendly Foreign Trade Zone that can activate space in under 45 days.
Vertical Ready
4 Intermodal Logistics Parks
SmartPort has spearheaded a workforce development initiative, bringing those involved in the transportation and logistics industry in KC together with area educational institutions to identify the training needs for the industry
I-49 Logistics Center
- 1,340-acre intermodal facility served by KC Southern Railroad in South Kansas City.
KCI Intermodal BusinessCentre
- 800-acre master planned development with air side access to KCI airport.
Logistics Park KC
- 1,500-acre master-planned distribution and warehouse development served by BNSF Railway.
Northland Park
- Flexible lot sites from 11 to 85+ acres located next to one of Triple Crown Services' key intermodal facilities, also served by Norfolk Southern.
Workforce
Kansas City is a growing distribution market and has a larger portion of employment in the distribution and warehousing sector than the U.S. as a whole. The KC region has 5.9% of its workforce employed in the transportation and warehouse industry - 71,025 workers - compared to 4.9% nationally. The industry has proven to be a regional strength over a long period of time. For a deeper dive into the KC workforce, click on Labor Snapshot below.
Labor Snapshot
The real estate-ready market, central location, transportation infrastructure access, and skilled workforce of KC makes it attractive to eCommerce and distribution companies. Explore the labor snapshots below to better understand the KC workforce advantage.
For more information regarding logistics in the Kansas City region, visit KC SmartPort's website or contact: