We're Creating Something Big
Regional Economic Engine Development
Development
NSF Engines Type 1 Award #2305248
Comprehensive workforce and education initiatives supported by major infrastructure, stakeholder partnerships, and ecosystem building.
Nascent
NSF Engines Award ID# 2532489
Development and advancement of R&D, infrastructure and utilities build-out, and workforce training programs spanning 6-week certificates through advanced degrees (PhD and MS), with strong support services. Partners and stakeholders added up to $2B in impact through financial commitments.
Emergent
850 New Jobs
Technical training and education programs, rapid scaling of new technology and full-scale production designed to produce patents, fill thousands of jobs, and expand manufacturing facilities while generating revenue.
Growth
1000 New Jobs
New degree programs, and continued build-out of full-scale operations and workforce training locations. Expansion into adjacent markets.
Mature
650 New Jobs.
Large-scale economic growth supported by investment, talent development, industry diversification, and significant regional impact.
Focus Areas
» Shared Facilities
» Supply Chain Connections
» Off-take and On-take Support
» Business Plan Development
» Access to Subject Matter
» Experts
» Access to Innovation Pipeline
» Mentorship
» Access to Risk Capital
FAQ
What exactly are “critical materials?”
Critical materials are the processed minerals that are essential to major industries (electronics, energy, defense) and whose supply is vulnerable to disruption. Critical materials include high purity forms of rare earth elements, lithium, graphite, cobalt, nickel and complexes thereof (e.g., oxides, hydroxides, sulfates).
Why is the U.S. vulnerable in critical-materials supply chains?
Because large portions of the supply chain — especially processing and refining — are controlled overseas, particularly in or by China. The U.S has a strong demand but a limited domestic supply of minerals and capacity to refine them.
Why focus on Kansas City rather than somewhere else?
Kansas City offers central U.S. logistics, manufacturing infrastructure and access to talent. Missouri is home to a rich history of mining and metallurgy expertise and know-how and has some of the best knowledge in the country, along with many incumbent manufacturers, paving the way for innovation and commercialization.
How many jobs will this create and where?
Through NSF Critical Materials Crossroads, we expect to create approximately 10,000 jobs by 2036 in the Kansas City region. About 3,500 of the jobs will be direct and 6,500 indirect and induced, spanning manufacturing, processing, R&D, supply-chain logistics and related functions — delivering both regional benefit and national strategic value.
How much of the global critical materials supply does China control?
Based on latest industry analysis, China controls around two-thirds (~66%) of refining capacity across major critical minerals supply chains, and above 90% in specific rare-earth segments.
What are the risks if we don’t act?
If we don’t build domestic capacity:
- We remain exposed to export controls or supply disruptions from countries that dominate critical materials
- Supply chain bottlenecks and price shocks will impact industries like energy, defense, EVs and electronics
- Our regional economies and national supply-chain security will be weaker
- We will not have essential minerals and materials for defense and national security
How do we measure success?
Success for CMC means:
- A functioning Kansas City based ecosystem of research/innovation, commercialization, workforce development, manufacturing, processing, and production of critical materials at the CMC industrial park(s)
- A measurable shift in the U.S. share of the supply chain for key critical materials
- Creation of high-quality jobs and investment in the region
- Strengthened resilience of supply chains serving national priorities
How can I get involved?
You can reach out to the NSF Critical Materials Crossroads team directly through the official Critical Materials Crossroads Contact Page. Our portal provides dedicated forms for partnership opportunities, media requests, and general questions.
The NSF Critical Materials Crossroads Engine in the Kansas City Region is building an ecosystem, initiated by the University of Missouri System and supported by the U.S. National Science Foundation. To help secure the United States’ economic and national security future by reducing dependence on foreign-controlled supply chains for critical materials, a coalition of more than 260 partners in Missouri and Kansas envisions the CMC meeting 10% of specific critical materials demands, receiving $2 billion in private investment, creating 10,000 new jobs and contributing more than 4% to Missouri’s GDP.