USDA’s Economic Research Service, National Institute of Food & Agriculture will relocate operations from D.C. to K.C.; project expected to bring 568 new jobs to K.C. area   

Kansas City, MO -- The Kansas City Area Development Council and its partners are proud to announce that the Kansas City region will become the new home of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Economic Research Service (ERS) and National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). The USDA team is evaluating multiple Class-A office properties in Kansas and Missouri for its 120,000-square-foot space, which will house both agencies and 568 employees, and expects to be operational this fall.

The Kansas City region was selected for its existing concentration of USDA employees and operations, the more than 150 federal agencies in the area, proximity to 13 land grant universities, and central location in the agricultural heart of the country. This concentration is enhanced by the area’s research capabilities and industry-led initiatives like the KC Animal Health Corridor.

Newton, KS — Through regional efforts, Harvey County Economic Development and the Greater Wichita Partnership worked with the Kansas Department of Commerce to assist Weatherly Aircraft Company in locating their headquarters and assembly operations to a 26,000 sq. ft. facility at the Newton City-County airport.

Weatherly Aircraft Company is an American agricultural aircraft manufacturer of planes designed for small grain farming. The company plans to add about 109 jobs in the next five years and invest over $1 million in capital investment. 

Gary Beck, General Manager for Weatherly said, “As a first move to make Weatherly Aircraft Company’s new home in Kansas, we have selected hangar space at the Newton City-County Airport as an assembly facility for our model 620-B plane.  We appreciate the support we have been provided and will begin production within the first quarter of 2019.”

Topeka, KS – Park Aerospace Technologies Corporation announced that it will be undergoing a massive expansion in Kansas.

At a special joint meeting Monday, the Newton City Commission and Harvey County Commission approved a development agreement with Park for a $19 million expansion.

The expansion will allow Park to double its number of employees, with plans to go from the current 73 employees to 146 in the next five years. The company intends to build a new 90,000 square-foot facility in order to accommodate the increased workforce, as well as to create more production space.

Photo caption: Darin Greseth, President/CEO, and Ron Garcia, COO and CFO

El Dorado, KS — BG Products, Inc., broke ground for what will be a 145,000-square-foot facility near its existing distribution center. The massive structure will house its warehousing and distribution operations while a portion of production operations transition to the existing distribution facility. In response to product demand in the marketplace, the added space will increase efficiency.  

“We are pleased to announce the expansion of what will be a state-of-the-art, higher capacity facility,” said Ron Garcia, BG’s COO and CFO. “We continue to look forward to a bright future at BG.” Construction will be complete by September 30, 2019.

Thursday’s groundbreaking follows the current construction of a new 34,000-square-foot BG Technology and Training Center at BG corporate headquarters in Wichita.

About BG Products, Inc.
BG’s purpose is to ensure every vehicle owner is aware of the importance of automotive maintenance. To support our efforts in this cause, we offer the highest quality maintenance products. We study the latest technologies so we can supply the appropriate chemistry using the most effective method of delivery. We provide products, equipment and training to thousands of fixed operations worldwide so they can train vehicle owners on the best ways to care for their vehicles.

El Dorado, KS — BG Products, Inc., broke ground for what will be a 145,000-square-foot facility near its existing distribution center. The massive structure will house its warehousing and distribution operations while a portion of production operations transition to the existing distribution facility. In response to product demand in the marketplace, the added space will increase efficiency.

“We are pleased to announce the expansion of what will be a state-of-the-art, higher capacity facility,” said Ron Garcia, BG’s COO and CFO. “We continue to look forward to a bright future at BG.” Construction will be complete by September 30, 2019.

Edgerton, KS -- Amazon.com, Inc. announced plans to open a state-of-the-art fulfillment center in Edgerton, Kansas. This facility will create approximately 1,000 full-time hourly positions, plus many managerial and support roles to support customer fulfillment. In Kansas, Amazon currently operates facilities in Lenexa.

“We’re excited to bring 1,000 great full-time jobs with benefits to the Kansas City region and proud to further invest in the state with this new fulfillment center,” said Akash Chauhan, Amazon’s vice president of North American operations. “We are grateful for the enthusiasm of our many state and local partners who have supported Amazon in bringing a new fulfillment center to Kansas. This has been a true team effort.”

Edgerton, KS -- NorthPoint Development has announced the start of construction of Inland Ports XXXII, a 765,927 square-foot building and XXXIII, a 927,155 square-foot building, both constructed on a speculative basis at Logistics Park Kansas City (LPKC). LPKC is a 1,700-acre master-planned distribution and warehouse development anchored by BNSF Railway’s newest intermodal facility located in Edgerton, Kan., a suburb southwest of Kansas City.

Approximately two million square feet of speculative construction will be delivered this spring, and due to existing tenant demand and new tenant interest, NorthPoint has decided to start this new phase of construction. Upon completion of the two additional buildings, expected in summer 2016, there will be approximately 6.5 million square feet of new buildings at LPKC, supporting total future building capacity of 17 million square feet.

By Ben Meyer

The e-commerce giant said the planned 822,104-square-foot facility in Edgerton, Kan. will create 1,000 full-time hourly positions, as well as opportunities for management and support roles.

Amazon.com, Inc. will open a new 822,104-square-foot customer fulfillment center at Logistics Park Kansas City (LPKC), according to a statement from the company.

The e-commerce giant said the planned facility will create 1,000 full-time hourly positions, as well as opportunities for management and support roles.