Springfield firms weigh in on KC SmartPort

At the luncheon, Gutierrez said Springfield businesses also would benefit from the group’s efforts, but with one exception – there doesn’t appear to be much enthusiasm locally about SmartPort.

“It really is focused on that Kansas City metro area,” said Greg Williams, senior vice president of economic development at the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce.

SmartPort is a nonprofit economic development group that wants to grow the transportation and logistics industry in Kansas City by attracting distribution centers. It was formed in 2000 and is a partnership of Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce, Kansas City Area Development Council and Mid-America Regional Council.

In the last six months, SmartPort has been successful in getting three distribution centers under construction: Case New Holland’s 500,000-square-foot facility, Pacific Sunwear’s 800,000-square-foot facility and a 700,000-square-foot facility for Musician’s Friend.

It’s also in the final stages of federal approval to build the first Mexican customs house on U.S. soil. In fact, it would be the first customs house on foreign soil anywhere in the world. SmartPort received a $2.5 million loan from the city of Kansas City to fund the project.

Joan Rutherford, Springfield branch manager for logistics company Western Overseas Corp., is excited about the possible Mexican customs office.

She said 65 percent of her freight goes through Kansas City, and much of it goes to Mexico.

She wouldn’t disclose client names, but she said one European client recently had refrigerated freight held up at the U.S.-Mexico border for two weeks.

“If it can speed up that process … that’s a wonderful thing,” she said.

However, two other Springfield export/import firms don’t plan on using SmartPort.

Steve Crowder, president and CEO of home furnishings retailer Decorize Inc., said he never heard of SmartPort.

Mike Vogt, president of logistics company Marisol International, said he knows about SmartPort but doesn’t see it as a help to his clients, who don’t trade heavily with Mexico.

SmartPort’s Gutierrez maintains that SmartPort benefits more than just Kansas City, and said he would speak in Springfield, if invited.

“As we continue to work with the railroads and customs organizations to improve the efficiency of the existing freight corridors and look at new ones, it helps that greater Midwest market,” he said.[[In-content Ad]]