May 2006
Kansas City SmartPort E-News

Fast Fact

There is 23 million sq. ft. of industrial space in KC. KC's underground warehouse space represents 10 percent of this space.

Missouri Prevails in River Wars

Barge traffic in Missouri may be on the rise. Last week the U.S Supreme Court made a decision not to hear a legal case that has dragged on for years. Against the Dakotas' wishes, more water now will be released from the Missouri River's northern reservoirs. The release of these waters will facilitate barge traffic and city water supplies downstream.

Going Underground

KC's underground storage space is worth a look. It offers a 50 percent occupancy savings to above ground storage, a steady 65-degree temperature and low humidity. The space is safe from tornados and offers 24-hour security. Other benefits include higher employee productivity, reliable power and room to expand as needed. KC boasts the most underground storage space in the world.

BNSF Studies Gardner Location for Logistics Park

BNSF Railway Company (BNSF) is conducting a feasibility study for a potential new logistics park and intermodal hub center in the Gardner area. On April 13, KCADC hosted President and CEO Matthew K. Rose and a group of Kansas City area business leaders at Union Station to discuss KC's potential for the park. Rose said the KC area and specifically the Gardner area has emerged as the most promising location to expand the railroad's capabilities. KCADC will be working with the City of Gardner and Southwest Johnson County EDC on this effort in the coming days.

To learn more please visit Gardner.

KC Profiled in FORTUNE Magazine

Nearly 3.7 million readers will pick up the May 15 issue of FORTUNE magazine this week and see a 24-page profile on why the KC region is a great place to live, work, play and do business. The KC feature section is one of the largest and most successful advertorials FORTUNE has ever published for a city or state. A fourth of the feature is dedicated to the area's transportation and logistics assets. KC SmartPort would like to thank the Kansas City Aviation Dept., Greater Topeka Chamber of Commerce, Hunt Midwest and St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce for assisting KC SmartPort with a full-page ad in the section.

Industry Focus: Barge

The Missouri River is 2,341 miles long making it the longest river in North America. Kansas City is located at mile 367.The reservoir system was designed, built and managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Seven barge lines operate along the Kansas City area to the Missouri River. There is one public port and several private terminals. The channel depth is 9 feet and its width is 300 feet. The shipping season in Kansas City runs from late March through early November.

Investor Profile: KC SmartPort

Kansas City SmartPort was formed to promote and enhance the Kansas City metro area’s status as America’s Inland Port Solution. KC SmartPort has two main focuses in its mission:

1. To grow the area’s transportation industry by attracting businesses with significant transportation and logistics elements. KC SmartPort works with the Kansas City Area Development Council to attract large distribution centers, warehouses and third-party logistics providers to the area.

2. To make it fast, cheap and secure for companies to move goods into, from, and through the Kansas City area. With the help of government funds, KC SmartPort is working to improve the Kansas City area’s ITS infrastructure. KC SmartPort also is working to bring additional services, such as foreign customs offices, to the Kansas City area to aide business of all size in moving their goods both domestically and internationally.

To learn more about SmartPort please visit our website.