KC SmartPort

Register now to join us at the 2025 KC SmartPort Annual Industry Briefing on April 16! SHIFTING GEARS Automotive | Industry at a Crossroads Industry leaders will gather?to discuss trends that are shaping the automotive sector, and how these shifts will impact the Kansas City region.?Click the link below for additional information about sponsorship opportunities and registration. https://lnkd.in/gbb-cgap

The automotive industry is shifting gears! ?? KC SmartPort's Annual Industry Briefing will feature Christopher Smith, chief government affairs officer at Ford Motor Company. As a leading voice in the automotive industry, Christopher will share his perspective on the latest automotive trends and the road ahead for this ever-evolving sector. Don’t miss this chance to gain expert insights—register now and join us on April 16! #ShiftingGears #Automotive #KC Learn more and register: https://lnkd.in/gbb-cgap

Kansas City continues to drive the future of the automotive industry – including #ElectricVehicles. Tune in to the latest episode of The Current Review Podcast featuring Kurt Neutgens, president and CTO of Orange EV, as he discusses how this KC-based company is electrifying the heavy-duty trucking space. Dive deeper – KC SmartPort’s Annual Industry Briefing will further explore KC’s leadership in automotive innovation. Don’t miss this must-attend event for all invested in the future of automotive in the region: https://lnkd.in/gbb-cgap #EV #AutomotiveIndustry #KansasCity #KCSmartPort #SupplyChain #EconomicDevelopment https://lnkd.in/gdZuSjnU

We are thrilled to share that KC SmartPort Vice President Elli (Bowen) Houston has been recognized as a recipient of the 2025 Economic Development 40 under 40 Award! This award hosted by Development Counsellors International and Jorgenson Pace, Inc. recognizes the top 40 rising stars in the economic development industry. Elli has made significant contributions to Kansas City’s economic landscape, and this award reflects her commitment to driving growth in the region. The recognition is very well-deserved, and we look forward to seeing her continue to lead the industry with excellence! #40Under40 #KC #EconomicDevelopment? 2025 award winners: https://lnkd.in/gkJ54VK3

In an era of shifting trade policies and global supply chain disruptions, Foreign Trade Zones (FTZs) provide critical advantages for importers. Leveraging an FTZ: ? Defer duty payments until goods enter U.S. commerce, improving cash flow. ? Store imported goods indefinitely for better strategic inventory management. ??Eliminate duties on goods exported from the zone, as well as scrap and waste. ? Reduce overall duty exposure through value-added activities within the FTZ. Kansas City’s central location, strong logistics network, and well-established FTZ infrastructure make it the perfect place for businesses looking to optimize their import strategies and stay ahead in today’s complex trade environment. Read more ?? https://lnkd.in/gC-E7ixG #ForeignTradeZones #GlobalTrade #ImportStrategies Greater Kansas City Foreign Trade Zone

Since 1974, the Greater Kansas City FTZ has given manufacturing and distribution companies access to a program that helps them stay competitive and grow operations, while creating jobs and economic benefit in the Kansas City region.

Last week, nearly 150 industry professionals gathered at ULI Kansas City’s Emerging Trends in Real Estate event to dive into the key trends shaping 2025 — with one of the most prominent being data center activity. The data center panel featured insights from KC SmartPort’s Elli (Bowen) Houston, along with experts from Evergy, Hunt Midwest, Turner Construction Company, and Lamar Johnson Collaborative. Together, they shared valuable perspectives on data center development and investment trends both in Kansas City and nationwide. As 2025 unfolds, #KC will continue to navigate evolving constraints and opportunities in this critical sector! #DataCenters #KansasCity #RealEstateTrends #IndustrialRealEstate

During times of uncertainty, Foreign Trade Zones provide an option to store imported goods for an unlimited amount of time, which defers duties until the goods leave the FTZ. This gives companies the opportunity to decide the best actions in their supply chain. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/gh2iR5Cz

The?Greater Kansas City Foreign Trade Zone is the regional grantee for Zone 15 that serves 23 counties in western Missouri and Zone 17 that serves 9 counties in eastern Kansas. The business-friendly environment and large coverage area enables an easier and faster FTZ approval time for manufacturing and distribution operations in the KC market. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/gh2iR5Cz

Cold storage demand is heating up! ?? As consumer habits and supply chain demands continue to evolve, temperature-controlled facilities are transforming industrial real estate — in Kansas City and across the country. Businesses are prioritizing operations closer to production and to their end-users. The KC region, with its strong industry presence and unparalleled transportation access, is primed to support the growth in this sector — allowing companies to meet consumer demand more efficiently than ever before. #ColdStorage #IndustrialRealEstate #KansasCity https://lnkd.in/gMT_SsqV