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KC SmartPort’s 2023 annual industry briefing, celebrating the electric vehicle revolution in Kansas City. | Photo by KCtoday

The Kansas City region’s momentum as a leader in the field of electrification is...electrifying.

Earlier this spring, we attended KC SmartPort’s 2023 Annual Industry Briefing. We heard from Panasonic and Burns & McDonnell leaders about the electric vehicle (EV) industry and its global + local impact — and here’s what we learned.

🚗 The EV industry

With the rising demand for electric vehicles, the global EV battery market is growing by the day. The industry had an estimated value of $56.4 billion in 2022, with an expected value of $134.6 billion by 2027. In North America, the electric vehicle battery manufacturing capacity in 2030 is projected to be nearly 20 times greater than in 2021. Let’s see how that translates to the Kansas City region.

⚡ KC is electric

Electric vehicle innovation found a home in Kansas City. The region’s transportation manufacturing industry is valued at $19 billion and produces more than 650,000 vehicles each year. With a variety of distribution-related advantages, including access to multi-modal transportation, KC is hard to beat. Plus, 85% of the US is accessible in two days or less by road.

“Kansas City is a leading market globally to move the electric revolution forward,” said Chris Gutierrez, president of KC SmartPort. “Our region has the location and resources to support global enterprise and ancillary suppliers as they expand and innovate in the EV space.”

🔋 Say hello to Panasonic

Kansas City’s robust infrastructure, ideal location, and skilled workforce make us a hot commodity as the world moves into the next phase of electrification. In 2022, Panasonic Energy Co. solidified the region as a hub for EV innovation when leaders selected De Soto, KS for its $4 billion EV battery manufacturing facility.

“The new facility will increase our global capacity by 60% and provide much-needed capacity to the American EV battery supply chain,” said Ajay Gnanasekaran, director of strategy and program management with Panasonic

Events

Thursday, May 24

Touch-A-Truck | Thursday, May 25 | 4:30-6:30 p.m. | Public Works Facility, 3535 Somerset Dr., Prairie Village, KS | Free | Bring the family to check out demonstrations of public works machinery like a wheel loader, skid steer, and dump truck.
genKC’s Mental Health and Wellbeing for Early Career Professionals | Thursday, May 25 | 5:30-7:30 p.m. | KC Chamber, 30 W. Pershing Rd., Kansas City, MO | Free | Get tips from a local mental health professional and learn strategies for promoting selfcare.

Friday, May 26

School’s Out for the Summer Pool Party | Friday, May 26 | 12-5:30 p.m. | Tony Aguirre Community Center, 2050 W. Pennway St., Kansas City, MO | $15 | Celebrate the end of the school year at this pool party.
Twisted Flying Festival 2023 | Friday, May 26-Saturday, May 27 | Times vary | Z&M Twisted Vines Vineyard, 24305 Loring Rd., Leavenworth, KS | $0+ | Watch hot air balloons fly while enjoying live music, fire pits, and hard ciders.

Saturday, May 27

Los Monarchs Festival Latino | Saturday, May 27-Sunday, May 28 | 3 p.m. | Legends Field, 1800 Village W. Pwky., Kansas City, KS | $29-$189 | Spend Memorial Day Weekend at the home of the Monarchs — festival activities include live music, circus performers, and Lucha Libre Wrestling.
Next to Nature Farm’s Bee to Bottle Tours | Saturday, May 27 | Next to Nature Farm, 23338 Kissinger Rd., Leavenworth, KS | $15 | See the entire life cycle of a bee and discuss how they work to collect nectar and produce honey.

Sunday, May 28

Sporting KC vs. Portland Timbers | Sunday, May 28 | 2 p.m. | Children’s Mercy Park | $32-$160 | The boys in blue take on Portland on home turf.

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

News Notes

Coming Soon

Arizona Trading Company, a local buy-sell-trade shop, is opening a new location in the Crossroads Arts District. The shop has existing locations in Lawrence (736 Massachusetts St.) and Westport (209 Westport Rd.). The new storefront will open this summer.

Plan Ahead

High Dive Records, a local record label, is ringing in its 10th birthday. To celebrate a decade of business, the label is hosting two anniversary shows on Friday, June 9, and Saturday, June 10 at recordBar (1520 Grand Blvd., KCMO). The concerts will feature some of the artists on the label.

Eat

Another Broken Egg Cafe, an upscale brunch restaurant, is now open in Prairie Village — at 5358 W. 95th St. This is the eatery’s second KC location, the first in Overland Park. The menu features Southern brunch classics like shrimp n’ grits and chicken and waffles. (Shawnee Mission Post)

Open

Mid-Continent Public Library’s brand new Culinary Center is now open at the Green Hills location (8581 N. Green Hills Rd., KCMO). It features a teaching kitchen to host free food + nutrition classes for all ages, and a commercial kitchen space for local startup food businesses.

Travel

Let’s head north. Beginning Sunday, May 28, Sun Country Airlines will offer nonstop flights to Minneapolis-St. Paul. Where do you want to see nonstop flights added? Let us know.

Holiday

Memorial Day is this Monday, May 29, and there are many ways to celebrate + recognize veterans in our community. Find a list of Memorial Day events through the National WWI Museum here — plus, keep scrolling for details on Celebration at the Station.

Concert

“Don’t” miss this one. Rapper and songwriter Bryston Tiller is coming to Kansas City on Thursday, June 22. Tickets to the show at The Midland start at $49.50.

Wellness

Pop quiz: What’s the body’s most abundant protein? The answer: Collagen. NativePath’s Certified Grass-Fed Collagen Powder is made from grass-fed, pasture-raised cows and contains 18 grams of protein per serving. Start incorporating it daily to support skin elasticity, joint health, bone strength, and muscle growth and maintenance.*

Holiday

🎵 Check out the Celebration at the Station

The stage for the celebration. | Photo by KCtoday

Kansas City’s favorite Memorial Day tradition. Every year, the Kansas City Symphony plays a free concert at Union Station for Memorial Day. Here’s the must-know information for Celebration at the Station:

When: Sunday, May 28 at 5 p.m.

Where: South Plaza of Union Station and the North Lawn of the National WWI Museum and Memorial

Park: Parking is available at Union Station’s West Yards Garage and surface lots near the Hallmark complex, south of Crown Center.

Who: Music Director Michael Stern leads the Kansas City Symphony in a concert, featuring special guests The Resilient performing works by Paul Simon, Leonard Cohen, and more.

Try this: Check out food trucks, enjoy live pre-concert entertainment on the main stage, and shop various vendors in the Kansas City National Security Campus.

Pro tip: Can’t make it to the event? Watch it live on Kansas City PBS, Channel 19.1.

The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Bella

From the editor

Are you going out of town for Memorial Day weekend? I’m headed to Des Moines, Iowa for a quick trip with my partner to see one of our favorite bands. Thankfully, Des Moines is a quick drive.

The short drive reminds me of our roadtrip guide to Fayetteville, Arkansas. Where do you want us to hit the road next? Let me know.

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