March 2007

Kansas City SmartPort E-News

Kansas City's Foreign Trade Zone continues growth

Foreign Trade Zones 15 in Missouri and 17 in Kansas grew 4.34 percent in 2006 from 2005 based on the sum of goods forwarded from general purpose zones and subzones. This growth contributes to an average annual percentage growth of 19.04 percent over the last five years.

KC continues to maintain its edge in the logistics arena. With more FTZ space than any other city in the country, the continued operational growth of Kansas City’s Foreign Trade Zones positions KC to take a stronger presence in this changing arena.

To learn more please visit Foreign Trade Zone. 

Kansas City International continues its growth

KCI remains one of the nation’s largest airports, with more than 7,000 acres available for development. KCI continues to work to develop and expand its intermodal facilities. A good example of this, Haith & Company announced its plans to expand its KCI intermodal facility to provide more space for Forward Air, Inc.  The facility will increase its space by 20,000 square feet.

To read more go to Kansas City International. 

CenterPoint moves closer to Richards-Gebaur deal

CenterPoint Realty Services Corp. is one step closer to breaking ground on the International Freight Gateway at Richards-Gebaur. On Feb. 14, KC renegotiated its original agreement with CenterPoint to purchase the former air force base.  The project continues to move ahead, with the first phase intermodal planning to open by the end of the year.

Visit Richards-Gebaur to learn more.   

KC is known in Mexico

At the end of February, Missouri’s Governor Matt Blunt and KC SmartPort traveled to Mexico City to meet with Mexico’s new president and Cabinet members.  Missouri was one of the first states to meet with the new administration, the meetings were a success.

KC’s name is recognized amongst Mexican authorities who have a strong commitment to see the customs facility become a reality. 

SMARTPORT INVESTOR PROFILE: Grubb & Ellis/ The Winbury Group

Grubb & Ellis/ The Winbury Group is a full service real estate company specializing  in commercial product types, including, industrial, office, retail and multi-family. Grubb & Ellis/ The Winbury Group most recently had involvement with the Pacific Sunwear build-to-suit project in Olathe, Kan.

Formed in 1984 as The Winbury Group, the company affiliated in 1997 with Grubb & Ellis, on the nation’s major commercial real estate firms. To learn more about Grubb & Ellis/ The Winbury Group, please visit www.winbury.com.