Kansas City SmartPort

Kansas City SmartPort is a non-profit economic development organization focused on enhancing the logistics industry in the Kansas City metropolitan area. Founded in 2001, it aims to attract freight-based companies, such as manufacturing, distribution, and warehouses, to the region.

Industry and Functions

Kansas City SmartPort operates in the logistics industry, serving as a cooperative governance model for regional freight distribution. It does not manage transportation assets directly but coordinates strategies for economic development, trade data exchange, and business services in the logistics sector.

History

The establishment of Kansas City SmartPort was driven by the Mid-Continent TradeWay Study, initiated in 1998 by regional stakeholders to evaluate the potential for Kansas City to become a major hub for international trade activities. This study laid the groundwork for SmartPort's mission to integrate and leverage regional logistical resources.

Initiatives

• Economic Development: Attracting private investments in firms related to warehousing, distribution, third-party logistics, and manufacturing to promote economic growth in the region.
• Trade Data Exchange: Implementing freight community systems to enhance supply chain visibility through inventory tracking and other logistical processes.
• Business Services: Encouraging firms that provide services to logistics enterprises, including customs and foreign trade zone activities.

Logistical Advantages

Kansas City offers several logistical advantages:

• Highest Volume of Rail Traffic: The region experiences the highest volume of rail traffic in the United States in terms of tonnage.
• Trucking Center: It is the third-largest trucking center in the United States.
• Free Trade Zones: Kansas City features a large free trade zone, encompassing over 10,000 acres.
• SubTropolis: Known for its extensive underground warehouse space.
• Air Cargo Facility: It has a significant air cargo facility.
• Navigable Inland Waterway: The Missouri River is open for barge navigation for part of the year.
• Strategic Location: Kansas City is centrally located at the intersection of major interstate highways and rail lines, including NAFTA rail corridors.

Organizational Structure

Kansas City SmartPort is classified as a 501(c)(6) organization, which means it is a non-profit organization but donations to it are not typically tax-deductible. The organization includes a broad base of stakeholders from both public and private sectors, working together under a cooperative governance framework to advance regional logistics interests.

Leadership

The leadership of Kansas City SmartPort includes its board of directors, which focuses on strategic issues related to regional logistics development. Prominent figures within the organization have contributed to its growth and strategic direction.