Barges are once again docked at the Port of Kansas City - Woodswether Terminal. This is the first barge traffic since Port KC took over the terminal in 2012.

"Riverborne Commerce will provide another transportation alternative that allows Kansas City to be competitive regionally, nationally and internationally. The reopening of the port helps fulfill Port KC's mission by enhancing Kansas City's economic vitality through transportation and commerce. It provides efficient use of our waterway as a navigable resource for regional and global trade, and serves as a support nexus to rail and roadway shipping" said Michael Collins, President & CEO of Port KC.

The reopening of the port is the culmination of years of work by Port KC. Over the past three years Port KC demolished a warehouse, made electrical upgrades, rehabbed the conveyer and made lighting improvements. Plans are currently underway to reconnect the port to rail.

Read more about the reopening of the port terminal here.

Unique Financing Opportunity Brings Sioux Chief Headquarters to KC

Sioux Chief, one of the country's leading plumbing manufacturers, is set to open a new facility in Kansas City thanks to a strategic partnership of Port KC, AltCap, Enterprise Bank and Central Bank of Kansas City that will boost the city's economy.

The 570,000 square foot facility will be located at CenterPoint Intermodal Facility in south Kansas City. The building will be used for manufacturing, distribution, storage and administration of the business. Port KC owns the land where Sioux Chief is building and will own the vertical manufacturing facility once completed. The project will bring 480 jobs to Kansas City.

Port KC will help finance the construction of the facility through a $23.5 million bond issuance. The financing is part of an enhanced incentive and financing package that is in part tied to Sioux Chief's commitment to increase metropolitan employment over the next 20 years.

"Thanks to this tremendous partnership nearly 500 jobs will be at the CenterPoint Intermodal Facility, creating additional economic vitality in south Kansas City. Furthermore, it was the cooperation and partnership from CenterPoint Properties that made this possible," said Michael Collins, President & CEO of Port KC.

To read more about Sioux Chief's new headquarters click here.

Leasing Activity & Opportunities

Occupancy rates continue to be strong at Richards-Gebaur Commerce Park. A lease expansion by Sioux Chief accounted for the most growth in occupancy over the past quarter. One new tenant is

Addison's Heavy Auto, a newly formed company which specializes in Allison transmissions and provides repairs and maintenance for heavy automobiles. Addison's chose its location to synergize with the existing businesses around Richards-Gebaur. Another new tenant to the Commerce Park is KC Treasure Map, an online auction reseller and Inspection Expert offering consulting and asset management to federal and state agencies.

There is still availability for industrial and medical space users at Richard-Gebaur. These buildings are great cost-effective flex, medical and storage spaces with easy access to major highways and interstates. Other benefits include the inclusion of a foreign trade zone, and immediate access to class I freight rail service from Kansas City Southern. Buildings sizes ranges from 10,500 to 40,000 square feet of usable space.

For more leasing information please email Mark Long at mlong@ngzimmer.com or call at 816-512-1011

Port KC Welcomes Matt Prout and Andrea Young

Matt Prout

Since joining the team as Development Manager in August, Matthew Prout has quickly become involved in a wide range of real estate activities for Port KC. Expertise in master planning, mixed-use development, and public-private partnerships allows Matthew to responsibly manage Port KC's current projects, with a particular focus on the Berkley Riverfront, and to strategically initiate new ones. Most recently Matthew served as an Associate for Price Development Group, contributing to the acquisition and development of Class A multifamily communities in major markets throughout the U.S. Prout, a Kansas City native, has also gained valuable professional experience with The Hogan Companies (a land developer/broker in Maryland), Hunt Companies/Hunt Alternative Energy (an infrastructure private equity group in D.C.), HB&A (a planning and design firm in Colorado), and the Kansas City Design Center. Matthew holds a master's degree in real estate with an emphasis in development from Georgetown University and a BA in urban geography and history from Dartmouth College.

Andrea Young

Andrea Young joined Port KC in August 2015. As Associate Counsel she provides assistance to the General Counsel of Port KC by handling various legal matters.

Andrea graduated cum laude with a bachelor's degree in Urban Planning & Design and also earned her Juris Doctorate from the University of Missouri - Kansas City. While in law school she participated on various law journals, served as Research Editor for The Urban Lawyer, and interned for the City of Kansas City, Missouri as well as a private municipal law firm.

About Port KC

Port KC's mission is to foster the economic vitality of Kansas City, Mo., through transportation, trade, commerce and development.

Port KC

300 Wyandotte, Suite 100

Kansas City, Missouri 64105

816-559-3750