Mexican Customs in KC

Industrial Logistics Development Sites: New Century and Richards Gebaur

The Kansas City Aviation Department

Topeka

Mexican Customs in KC

Kansas City SmartPort’s involvement with trade missions to and from Mexico has brought about historic progress.

The biggest success from KC SmartPort’s endeavors with Mexico is the project between the U.S. and Mexican governments to place a Mexican customs office in Kansas City. This will be the first such office located anywhere in the United States. The pilot project will allow freight moving southbound to Mexico to clear in Kansas City, seal the shipment on the truck, and enable border crossings to become seamless.

Kansas City has several key components that make it an excellent hub for all transportation and logistics operations. It is the second largest rail center in the United States, as well as having more Foreign Trade Zone space than any other U.S. city.

Other advantages include the city’s location on the largest navigable inland waterway (Missouri and Mississippi River system) and the infrastructure of three of the nation’s major interstate highways (I-35, I-70 and I-29). And, the Kansas City International Airport moves more air cargo each year than any air center in a six-state region.

Many U.S. cities have been vying for the opportunity to host the Mexican customs facility, but as mentioned above, Kansas City has advantages that other cities do not.

Kansas Citians are thrilled to have the opportunity to prove the efficiency of the new Mexican customs facility and to test this innovative system.

Construction on the new facility will soon begin in the central industrial area of Kansas City. Please see aerial view of Property below.

Industrial Logistics Development Sites: New Century and Richards Gebaur

Two of the area’s premier intermodal facilities in the Kansas City region are The New Century AirCenter and The Richards Gebaur Memorial Airport.

The New Century AirCenter, located in Olathe, KS, is a 2,500-acre intermodal facility featuring BNSF rail lines, a large airport facility, and easy access to I-35. The site was formerly a naval air station and was acquired by the Johnson County Airport Commission in 1973.

The Richards Gebaur Memorial Airport, formerly a U.S. Air force base, is a 1,400 acre intermodal facility that is currently in the development stages. The Kansas City Area Port Authority manages the facility and has just recently chosen a developer to develop a master plan for the site. The site currently features KCS rail lines, and quick access to US-71, and US-150 Highways.

The Kansas City Aviation Department

The Kansas City Aviation Department owns and operates Kansas City International Airport and Charles B. Wheeler Downtown Airport. The Aviation Department's mission is to provide outstanding airport services in a safe and cost-effective manner for the benefit of citizens, visitors, airlines, and customers. The promotion of air cargo through KCI is also a large focus of the Aviation Department. It is hard to beat an airport that can provide a three-runway airfield system that can handle up to 139 aircraft operations per hour, un-congested air and ground space, few delays, no noise restrictions, short taxi time, an expansive cargo-handling infrastructure, onsite Foreign Trade Zone, and Enterprise Zone tax initiatives.

Topeka

Located on the Oregon Trail, Topeka, Kansas, has long been recognized as a corridor not only to the West, but also to the entire continental United States. The Greater Topeka Chamber of Commerce has capitalized on this advantage by attracting distribution and light industrial companies to the city. In June of 2004, Target held a grand opening at its new 1.4 million-square-foot distribution facility. The warehouse services 45 stores in six states and currently employs 600 individuals, but predicts that number will grow to 1,000 within three years.

The Greater Topeka Chamber of Commerce represents the entire community, with more than 2,100 members from business and industry, private associations, civic organizations, social service agencies, education, government, and individuals dedicated to developing a business climate where companies can grow and prosper. GO Topeka, the non-profit, subsidiary organization to the Chamber dedicated to economic development, is also a member of the Kansas City Area Development Council.

The Metropolitan Topeka Airport Authority operates Forbes Field and the Philip Billard Airport in Topeka as well as the 450 acre Topeka Air Industrial Park located at Forbes Field. The Industrial Park, which has 120 tenants, includes a Foreign Trade Zone and offers both existing facilities and excellent Greenfield opportunities.

Centrally located in the continental United States, the Park has ready access to the federal interstate network and is within a few miles of I-70, I-470, and the Kansas Turnpike. The Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad runs adjacent to the Park, and Forbes Field offers excellent air service. The Topeka Air Industrial Park also has a state-of-the-art telecommunications infrastructure, first-rate utility access, 24-hour police and fire protection, on-site management, and excellent incentives, including perpetual property tax.