The UMKC-led Critical Materials Crossroads Engine has been selected for a $160 million NSF award, marking a significant investment in the Greater Kansas City region's critical materials ecosystem. This initiative aims to strengthen America's supply chains, advanced manufacturing, and national security by reducing dependence on foreign-controlled supply chains. The project is a collaborative effort involving over 260 partners from higher education, industry, entrepreneurship, government, and community and workforce development organizations in Missouri and Kansas. The goal is to develop the regional ecosystem necessary for increasing production of critical materials used in various industries, including batteries, aircraft engine parts, semiconductors, and medical devices. The NSF award positions the Kansas City region as a national hub for critical materials innovation, commercialization, and workforce development, with the potential to create approximately 10,000 jobs by 2036 and generate up to $40 billion in economic output. This investment highlights the region's strategic advantages, including its central geographic location, robust transportation networks, deep manufacturing roots, and growing expertise in advanced materials research and engineering. The project has garnered support from federal and state leaders, as well as industry partners, who recognize its importance for the United States' economic and national security. The Critical Materials Crossroads Engine is a testament to the power of collaboration between higher education, industry, and government, and it represents a significant step towards rebuilding America's domestic critical materials ecosystem.
