Post on 28-Sep-2020
2013: A Year in Development
www.BusinessMovesHere.com
Tom Riederer, President
913.715.6007 • 913.220.3105 (cell)
tom@businessmoveshere.com
Wow. What a year the Southwest Johnson County region had in 2013! We were extremely busy tracking
numerous active projects, giving tours and presentations and attending local and national meetings and events.
One of the major highlights of 2013 was the culmination of many years of work and collaboration among
numerous partners: the Grand Opening of BNSF Railway’s Logistics Park Kansas City (LPKC) Intermodal Facility.
Edgerton, Kansas now joins the ranks of cities like Chicago and Memphis as home to BNSF’s newest Intermodal
Facility. The anchor for the surrounding master-planned distribution and warehouse development that spans more
than 1,500 acres, the LPKC Intermodal Facility is a project that will impact this region for many years to come.
But that’s not all. In addition to LPKC, the Southwest Johnson County Economic Development Corporation saw
tremendous activity at New Century AirCenter and from supporting businesses looking to locate in both Gardner
and Edgerton.
These opportunities would not be possible without the continued support from our public sector investors and
members from private industry. Thanks to you for making BUSINESS MOVE HERE. We can’t wait to see what
2014 brings.
Tom Riederer, President
Southwest Johnson County Economic Development Corporation
Inquiries and ActivitiesThroughout 2013, there was continued interest from companies that will support the growing business base in
the region. Inquiries for small office, warehouse (smaller users), hotels, food, fuel and storage lots were some of
the most active inquiries. In 2013, we landed several projects, including:
2013Project 7498: Christensen Lumber is locating a
building components manufacturing
facility at New Century
Five Star Trucking and Marvin’s Tow Service also made the decision to locate to the region
Project Concrete: Penny’s Concrete
locating at New Century
Project Stop: QuikTrip which
opened October 10
Project IA: Perkins, which will be locating
in the former Whiskey Creek
building in Gardner
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Developments: Groundbreakings, Ribbon Cuttings and Grand Openings
The Arvest Bank facility,
located at E. Main and
Sycamore in Gardner,
broke ground in June and
opened in January 2014.
On July 31, The Cities of Edgerton and Gardner celebrated the
grand opening of the Big Bull Creek Wastewater Facility with
a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony. The facility supports the BNSF
Intermodal Facility and Logistics Park Kansas City (LPKC), the
surrounding communities and future development areas.
On October 17, at a Grand Opening Ceremony, BNSF Railway
introduced its new LPKC Intermodal Facility to customers,
business and elected officials during a ribbon cutting and
dedication celebration..
History was made on October 11 as the ribbon was
cut, officially opening the I-35 and Homestead
Lane Diverging Diamond Interchange in southwest
Johnson County. Officials from Johnson County
and the cities of Edgerton and Gardner helped the
Kansas Department of Transportation cut the ribbon
at the event.
In April, DeLong Grain held a groundbreaking
ceremony. The facility at Logistics Park Kansas
City (LPKC) will be used for exporting grain and
other products using the containers brought in
to BNSF’s Intermodal Facility.
On August 20, Unilever (Project Simplification) announced a major
expansion of its facility at New Century AirCenter. The $152.5 million
project is an expansion of the current facility and the addition
of 100 new jobs. The event was attended by Governor Sam
Brownback, Unilever officials as well as local dignitaries and guests.
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Overall, we worked 23 active projects including:
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Mid-States Materials, LLC
Grafton Staffing Company
Bo-Line, LLC
Edgerton Land Holding Company, LLC –
a subsidiary of NorthPoint Development
Welcome New Investors
In the last two years, there has been
$500 million of development announced or completed in
Southwest Johnson County
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April/May: BNSF hosted
two “Sneak Peek” events
at LPKC to showcase
the facility to brokers,
developers and customers.
Nearly 500 people attended
these events.
April: The landscape at LPKC
changes as the first enormous
orange cranes are erected.
March: NorthPoint
Development (Edgerton
Land Holding Co.) was
introduced as the firm to
succeed The Allen Group
to develop the LPKC
Business Park adjacent to
the LPKC intermodal.
April: NorthPoint Development and NAI Capital
Realty announce plans to build a 500,150 square
foot, state-of-the-art speculative distribution
center at LPKC, called Inland Port 1.
June: A long-term lease is
executed with DEMDACO for
a custom-built 326,650 square
foot distribution center at
LPKC. DEMDACO specializes
in artist-driven gift and home
décor products.
September: National attendees
of the JOC Inland Distribution
Conference tour LPKC.
September: Walls at
Inland Port 1 are lifted.
October: On October 17, dignitaries
descend on Edgerton for the grand opening
of BNSF’s LPKC Intermodal Facility.
Logistics Park Kansas City: TimelineIt was a big year for Logistics Park Kansas City (LPKC). A 1,500-acre master-planned
distribution and warehouse development, LPKC is anchored by BNSF Railway’s 443-acre
state-of-the-art Intermodal Facility. In 2013, the full-service LPKC Intermodal Facility opened,
offering all levels of domestic and international intermodal service. With direct access to
I-35, LPKC is designed to accommodate the growing demands of freight rail shippers.
The LPKC Intermodal Facility features:
• 48,000 feet of track (six 8,000-foot strip tracks)
• 4,300 container stacking spots and almost 2,000 paved parking spaces
• Five wide-span, all-electric cranes
• Foreign Trade Zone
• Approximately 1,100 acres of developable land surrounding the Intermodal Facility to accommodate
warehouses and distribution centers
• 500,150 square foot speculative building now under construction
Visit www.logisticsparkkc.com for more information.
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Planning for the FutureSouthwest Johnson County Area Plan: With the potential development surrounding LPKC, the cities of Gardner
and Edgerton, Johnson County, Kansas Department of Transportation and
MARC (Mid-America Regional Council) sponsored the Southwest Plan to help
identify development potential and assist planning for future infrastructure
needs. After more than a year of input and meetings, the Southwest
Johnson County Area Plan was completed in October 2013.
City of Gardner Comprehensive Plan: The City of
Gardner began working on its Comprehensive Plan. The community and
business workshops were held on November 21 and 22. Some of the issues
and priorities identified in the workshops included: the need to improve
and maintain roads, parks and other infrastructure, create an environment
friendly to business and strengthen the identity and maintain the character
of Gardner. The plan is scheduled to be completed in the Fall of 2014.
Mega-Warehouses: A new generation of huge distribution centers
is sprouting from the fields of far southwest Johnson County along the
Interstate 35 corridor, confirming Kansas City’s arrival as a major national
logistical hub.
Kansas Receives Gold Shovel Award from Area Development: A leading publication covering site selection
and facility planning named Kansas a 2013 Gold Shovel recipient. Area
Development’s Annual Shovel Awards recognize state economic
development agencies that drive significant job creation through innovative
policies, infrastructure improvements, processes and promotions that
attract new employers as well as investments in expanded facilities.
The State of Kansas Lists First in its Region by Site Selection Magazine: Kansas ranks 13th among all states for
expansions and new facilities opened in 2012. With 122 new facilities and
expansions in 2012, Kansas led all states in its region. Kansas also had the
most economic development projects in the region over the three year period
from 2010 - 2012, with 274 new facilities and expansions.
Intermodal 101: The City of Edgerton held a series of informational
meetings called “Intermodal 101” for residents. The meetings were held on
four successive Mondays in September, with topics such as: Logistics Park
KC: What is an Intermodal, Public Safety, Employment and Infrastructure and
Transportation and Development.
EDC Founder and JCAC Executive Director RetiresAfter almost 25 years as the Executive Director for the Johnson County
Airport Commission, Lee Metcalfe, A.A.E., announced his retirement effective
November 30, 2013. Lee was also one of the founding fathers of the
Southwest Johnson County Economic Development Corporation. The Johnson
County Airport Commission holds a permanent board position on the EDC
Board. Colin McKee, A.A.E., was selected by the Johnson County Airport
Commission as its new Executive Director and Colin joined the EDC Board.
intermodalpublic learning sessions about LPKC
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Meetings and EventsAs part of its outreach to the real estate, development, site selection and transportation/logistics
communities, EDC attended several meetings and events in 2013, including:
Momentum 2013 KC SmartPort’s Industry Briefing on April 17, 2013
Meetings and Presentations• KCRAR (Kansas City Regional Association of Realtors)
• CSCMP (Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals)
• CCIM (Certified Commercial Investment Member)
• SIOR (Society of Industrial and Office Realtors)
• Reece & Nichols Agent Meeting
• KCADC Quarterly and Annual Meetings
• Optimists Club
• Ottawa Chamber (First Friday)
• DBIA (Design-Build Institute of America)
Journal of Commerce (JOC) Inland Distribution Conference held in Kansas City September 18-19, 2013
Intermodal Association of North America (IANA) conference in Houston in
November with a group from KC SmartPort
Consultant Trips• Traveled to Chicago with KC SmartPort on five consultant visits
• Participated in a KCADC consultant trip to Minneapolis
In 2013, EDC also participated in several meetings with transportation officials regarding needs in
Southwest Johnson County and continue one-on-one meetings and tours with companies interested
in development opportunities in this area.
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2013 EDC Officers and Retiring Board Members: Thank you for your service.
Chairman: Chip Corcoran, Renaissance Infrastructure Consulting
Vice Chairman: Jennifer Miller, Professional Service Industries, Inc. (PSI)
Secretary/Treasurer: Arlen Kleinsorge, McCownGordon Construction
Past Chairman: Chris Herre, Rose Design Build
Retiring Board Member: Wayne Bennett, Continental Title Company
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