Business Development Resources

From 2020-2024 Lenexa has been home to nearly $2.6 billion of new permitted development.

Why are so many companies choosing to invest in Lenexa? Its business-friendly environment, variety of real estate options, exceptional accessibility, large labor shed that includes a workforce among the best-educated in the U.S., economic competitiveness, attractive amenities, and high-quality livability combine to make Lenexa a uniquely outstanding place to do business!

Wide Variety of Real Estate Options
It all starts with the right location, and Lenexa features a competitive mix of greenfield space, a number of traditional office parks, flex and industrial developments, retail centers, a subsurface business park, as well as the nationally recognized mixed-use development Lenexa City Center. Whatever the ideal property for your company, Lenexa is likely to have an option for you to consider!

Exceptional Logistics Accessibility
Lenexa’s strategic location at the intersection of multiple major highway transportation routes as well as close proximity to air and intermodal facilities creates nearly unparalleled accessibility, particularly for industrial, logistics, and office development.

Lenexa is also located in a Foreign Trade Zone, providing for the more efficient and flexible inventory logistics and reduced duty and customs costs that are particularly beneficial to manufacturer/producers, warehousers, and distributors.

Learn more about how locating in Lenexa can enhance logistics efficiency and offer convenient commuting for workers and visitors from across the region.

Large Workforce Labor Shed
Lenexa companies draw from a 17-county labor shed of nearly 1.2 million workers, with numerous nearby higher education, training, and workforce development resources to help supplement their HR reach. “The Gateway” interchange in the heart of Lenexa – where K-10, I-35, and I-435 highways intersect – offers convenient commuting for workers traveling from either the north, south, east or west.

For positions requiring advanced education, Johnson County is recognized for its nationally-ranked public schools, numerous post-secondary educational institutions, and above-average educational attainment.

Attractive Amenities and High-Quality Livability
With its many beautiful residential living options, top-tier educational institutions, lower-than-the-national-average cost of living and commute times, robust public safety, popular Lenexa Public Market, numerous recreational and cultural amenities, well-known community festivals, range of dining choices, and welcoming atmosphere, Lenexa offers attractive amenities for employees and high-quality livability for residents — with close proximity to all the additional recreation, events, dining, shopping, nightlife, travel convenience, and professional sports associated with a major U.S. city.

In the most recent citizen satisfaction survey administered by the ETC Institute, a national leader in market research for local governmental organizations, Lenexa ranked among the top 10% of all U.S. cities regarding resident satisfaction and rated significantly higher than the Kansas/Missouri area average (difference of 3.5% or greater) in 50 of 51 areas.

Learn more about what makes Lenexa an exceptional place to work and live!

Business-Friendly Local Government
The City of Lenexa is known for its strong commercial and employment base, and City officials and professional staff value and support our business community.

Among the well-known national and international companies that have chosen to call Lenexa home are Quest Diagnostics, Kiewit Corporation, Amazon, Ceva Animal Health, GEICO, Collins Aerospace, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Bread Financial, Rally House, United Parcel Service (UPS), and Deluxe Corporation.

The City of Lenexa’s commitment to public service excellence, strategic planning, innovation, and well-managed growth is reflected in the numerous awards and recognition it’s received throughout the years.

Ready to begin your search for opportunities in Lenexa? We offer a complimentary searchable database of land sites and commercial real estate available for lease or sale, customizable to the size, type, and requirements of your project.

If your business (or business idea) would benefit from additional information or assistance, a wide range of local, regional, state, and federal resources can help guide you through the opportunities and challenges of starting, growing, operating, or exiting a business.

City of Lenexa – Business Resources
The City of Lenexa provides a convenient one-stop resource for organizations looking to do business in the community, including:

• License, permit, and regulation information
• Planning approval process
• Maps of the city’s Comprehensive Plan and current development activity
• Building and development process
• Incentive programs
• RFPs/register to be a City vendor

Enterprise Center in Johnson County
ECJC is a non-profit organization providing entrepreneur education, mentoring, and connections to capital. It houses the Women’s Business Center, the Mid-America Angels, and the Women’s Capital Connection angel investment networks, and the Growth Mentoring Service and the LaunchU entrepreneurial programs.

Johnson County Government – Business Resources
Johnson County provides a convenient one-stop resource for organizations looking to do business in the community, including:

• License, permit, and planning information
• Search licensed contractors
• CDBG and Green Program information
• Consulting and testing services
• RFPs/register to be a County vendor

Johnson County Libraries
Johnson County Libraries can support area businesses with a wide range of resources, including:

• Paywall-free access to local and national newspapers and publications
• Access to legal templates, business forms, and grant resources through Small Business Source, LawDepot, and Foundation Directory.
• Self-paced classes on key business skills like accounting and technology.
• MakerSpace, offering free technology, equipment, and training to support innovation and creativity, including laser and vinyl cutters, 3D printers, CNC router, sewing and embroidery machines, soldering and electronics tools, sound and video equipment, and computer design software.

Kansas Angel Investor Tax Credit Program
KAITC is a state program connecting qualifying early-stage entrepreneurs requiring initial seed money with individuals interested in investing, typically in exchange for equity in the startup.

Kansas City Area Development Council
The Kansas City Area Development Council is a private non-profit regional economic development organization offering helpful information and research covering the Greater Kansas City MSA, including a regional profile, overview of regional employers, tax and financial incentives profile, industry-specific assets, education and training institutions, maps, and other resources.

Kansas Department of Commerce
KDOC offers state-level resources and information aimed at attracting, retaining, and growing businesses and workforce in Kansas. The website is a comprehensive one-stop shop covering KDOC’s business services, workforce services, community development programs, international trade support, state incentive and financing tools, commercial site selection assistance, and the benefits of doing business in our state.

Kansas Manufacturing Solutions
Kansas Manufacturing Solutions is the not-for-profit Kansas partner of the National Institute of Standards and Technology’s public-private Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) program, focused on providing highly affordable consulting services of all kinds to small and medium-sized manufacturers in Kansas and finding solutions to people, process, and operational challenges.

Kansas Small Business Development Center
Aimed at entrepreneurs and smaller businesses, the Kansas SBDC is conveniently located on the JCCC campus and offers individualized consultation services, in-depth business and market analysis, business plan development, training classes, and events to help clients start, buy, grow, sell, or exit a business.

Kauffman Foundation
The Kauffman Foundation operates 1 Million Cups, Kauffman FastTrac®, and Real World Learning programs, providing tools and resources that support entrepreneurship and workforce development.

KC Sourcelink
KC Sourcelink Network Navigators determine which of Kansas City’s 230+ business resources best suit a client’s needs in starting or scaling a business and provide a free custom plan. KC Sourcelink also offers helpful online step-by-step guides for starting or growing a business, finding funding, or creating a tech startup.

NetWork Kansas
Network Kansas is a statewide network of non-profit resources focused on growing the entrepreneurial environment in Kansas by connecting start-ups and small businesses with advisors, assistance, and tools on topics such as funding, licensing, marketing, patents, and business planning, as well as access to loan and equity programs.

SCORE
Whether starting, expanding, or preparing to exit a business, SCORE offers experienced mentors to provide guidance at no cost and supplies classes, webinars, events, and online tools and templates including a how-to “Startup Roadmap” for starting a business.

State of Kansas
The official website of the State of Kansas connects businesses with state agencies and information covering business and industry, jobs and unemployment, taxes, health and safety requirements, education, infrastructure, natural resources, tourism, and more.

U.S. Small Business Administration
The local SBA Kansas City office provides help with SBA services including funding programs, counseling, federal contracting certifications, and disaster recovery, and can also connect businesses to SBA partner organizations, lenders, and other community groups that help small businesses succeed.

Need more help navigating these resources? We’re here to assist you – email us and we’ll connect you to the right people!

To help further important state or community goals – such as larger than typical capital investment, creating a larger than typical number of jobs, or locating in an area with special challenges or costs to development – a state or city may approve incentives under qualifying circumstances to help close gaps in private funding that would otherwise prevent a project from happening.

City of Lenexa

The City of Lenexa is a development-friendly community offering a number of local economic development tools to assist eligible businesses and property owners who choose to grow and invest here, including:

• Industrial Revenue Bonds (IRBs)/Property Tax Abatements
• Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Districts
• Community Improvement Districts
• Special Benefit Districts

Incentive programs are subject to eligibility criteria and other requirements and may not be available for all projects or in all areas of the city. Click here for an overview of available programs, eligibility criteria, applications, and who to contact at the City of Lenexa for additional information.

State of Kansas

As the state’s lead economic development agency, the Kansas Department of Commerce business recruitment team is available to assist companies considering growth and relocation plans, including creating customized incentive proposals and financing packages based on projected capital investment, job creation, employee compensation, and training needs.

Click here for information about state-level business recruitment services, incentive programs, financing, tax credits and exemptions, and staff contact info, or click here for a downloadable 20-page “Kansas Business Incentives” booklet.

Need more help navigating these resources? We’re here to assist you – email us and we’ll connect you to the right people!

Only 5% of the world’s consumers live in the U.S., so if your company is only selling its good and services domestically, you’re reaching just a small share of the world’s customers — consider joining the many Lenexa companies already doing business on the global stage!

International trade could be an important avenue for any company looking to diversify its markets and expand sales (and it isn’t only a viable option for the “big guys” – more than 2/3 of exporters are small and medium-sized companies.)

Whether you are just starting to explore doing business outside of the U.S. or are looking to grow your established exporting market, you don’t have to go it alone! There are experienced resources and tools available locally to help companies of all sizes evaluate and reach their business goals faster, safer, and with more success.

International Trade Division, Kansas Department of Commerce
KDOC’s International Division is ready to assist Kansas companies with export counseling, international trade documents, market and sector intelligence, international trade show support, state-led trade missions, marketing assistance, grant and loan programs, and educational programs. The team can also assist Kansas companies in evaluating opportunities for reshoring and foreign-based companies looking to do business in our state.

International Trade Council of Greater Kansas City
The non-profit International Trade Council of Greater Kansas City works to expand Kansas City’s international trade footprint by connecting local importers, exporters, freight forwarders, customs brokers, banks, and universities through education and networking.

Mid-America District Export Council
A non-profit volunteer organization comprised of experienced exporters and business professionals who regularly support exporting companies, the Mid-America District Export Council is one of 59 DECs throughout the country charged with encouraging and supporting the export of goods and services.

Mid-America DEC provides individualized counseling to companies making their initial foray into exporting or experienced exporters facing new hurdles and engages in outreach with policymakers and the public about international trade.

U.S. Commercial Service – Kansas City Field Office
As part of the U.S. Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration, the international trade specialists at the local U.S. Commercial Service Field Office provide a wide range of export and trade-related guidance to Kansas City area businesses, including:

• General export counseling
• International trade shows and trade mission assistance
• Country research and market plan development
• Trade leads and assistance in identifying foreign markets
• Locating and qualifying overseas distributors and customers
• Locating freight forwarders/customs brokers
• Help with trade documents and licensing
• Trade education and training
• Assistance with regulatory compliance

World Trade Center – Kansas City
Part of a network of 330 licensed World Trade Centers, World Trade Center-Kansas City offers a variety of programs and resources to stimulate international trade including customized and detailed export plans, consulting, assistance with exporting documentation, events and other resources. connects its regional business community to the people, companies, data and government agencies that make up the fabric of global commerce.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection-Trade
U.S. Customs and Border Protection-Trade facilitates international trade and enforces trade laws and requirements. Visit the website to access basic exporting information, tips for new importers and exporters, information on key trade issues, and important rulings and legal decisions.

Under CBP’s umbrella are also the Office of Trade Relations, the CBP’s point of contact for the international trade community, and Small Business Outreach, focused on educating small and medium-sized businesses on compliance requirements for importing and exporting.

U.S. Department of Commerce 
The U.S. Department of Commerce works with businesses, universities, communities, and workers to promote job creation, economic growth, and sustainable development. Visit the website to access more information about the Department’s business services, news, available data and reports, domestic and international trade issues, and links to bureaus and offices under the DOC.

Need more help navigating these resources? We’re here to assist you – email us and we’ll connect you to the right people!