Spring 2006 issue of Horizons

The United States is the recognized global leader in animal health. This is an industry, and a highly talented and educat- ed workforce, that we must protect. Already in Kansas City, 40 percent of total sales and 26 percent of worldwide sales within the $14.5 billion Animal Health industry are generated from companies that have a presence in the region. This critical mass includes corporate, education and non-profit leadership that provide an unprecedented animal health network comparable only to Silicon Valley and Research Triangle Park. Beyond animal health, in the broader life sciences arena Kansas City's model of collaboration among 10 major region- al scientific research institutions has been recognized nationally and has more than doubled the amount of private and federal research funding awarded to the region since 1999. Kansas City also is home to the Stowers Institute for Medical Research, the second largest endowed research institution in the U.S. at $2 billion. Our region's central location provides us with critical corridor connections placing Kansas City at the center of global sup- ply chains. This spring, KC will open the first Mexican Customs clearance facility for U.S. exports. The facility will allow U.S. exports destined for Mexico to receive full clear- ance by Mexican Customs in Kansas City, avoiding the delays and congestion at the border. And due to our relation- ship with Kansas City Southern Railroad, KC is the final des- tination point for all inbound freight originating from the deep water port of Lazaro Cardenas, Mexico. This route provides an immediate alternative for Asian freight entering the U.S., bypassing congestion at traditional ports. What does all this mean? Kansas City, America's Inland Port, saves companies time, money and resources by providing immediate access to one of the most efficient, reliable and strongest international trade routes in the U.S. This is an advantage no other community in the U.S. can claim and provides one of the most significant opportunities our region has for future growth. Manufacturing, distribution and warehouse facilities will be especially interested in the improvements Kansas City is making in its trade infrastructure. Over the next two years, 72 percent of KC-area manufacturers expect to expand their operations, and 68 percent expect to hire new workers, due to expansion, retirements and/or turnover. These numbers represent a tremendous opportunity for the Kansas City region.

however, unless we invest in our regional workforce. Kansas and Missouri already lead the Midwest for college graduates and our region has a higher percentage of college graduates than the U.S. average. Most recently, an unprecedented OneKC effort resulted in a $15 million grant from the U.S. Department of Labor. This grant, called OneKC WIRED - Workforce Innovation in Regional Economic Development - will train area residents for careers in high-growth industries such as health care, biotechnology and advanced manufacturing. OneKC WIRED will produce a more educated and qualified workforce for growing industries that heavily rely on math and science education. Additionally, it gives Kansas City yet another important advantage in the race to attract new investments and jobs to our region. From the OneKC WIRED grant to thousands of new jobs and hundreds of millions of dollars of new investments, OneKC has helped create a new Kansas City. This NewKC is a place with greater regional unity, more new jobs, respected diver- sity and a world-class lifestyle. OneKC represents the NewKC: unlimited opportunity for all of us who call this place - 18 counties, countless communities and two states - home.

The Kansas City Area Development Council (KCADC) was one of the first regional business recruitment organizations in the United States with near- ly 30 years of experience in attracting investment and jobs to the Kansas City area. With nearly 2.2 million people within 18 counties and more than 50 commu- nities, sharing a unified vision of OneKC, we've developed with our partners a highly focused marketing initiative designed to generate new wealth and jobs for our area. Since our inception in 1976, we have directly assisted more than 500 com- panies and organizations in selecting the Kansas City area as a site for new and expanding facilities. These firms have directly and indirectly affected more than 54,800 jobs and have utilized approximately 22.3 million square feet of space.

None of these industries will be successful in Kansas City,

12 • spring 2006 issue