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Animal Health Corridor effort lassos center, 30 jobs By Rob Roberts The KC Animal Health Corridor initiative has bagged its largest new company to date. On June 13, officials of the regional economic development effort reported that MWI Veterinary Supply Inc., based in Meridian, Idaho, had selected a site in Edwardsville for its new Midwest distribution center. The company, which reported $606 million in 2006 revenue, will lease a 105,000-square-foot space and add 30 jobs in Edwardsville. The development is a direct result of the animal health initiative -- a joint effort launched last year by the Kansas City Area Development Council, the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce and the Kansas City Area Life Sciences Institute Inc. "They came to us through our Web site," said Ashlie Hand, director of communications for the KCADC. According to the site, this region is the national leader in the animal health and nutrition industry, with area companies accounting for nearly 32 percent of the $15.2 billion in annual global sales. "Kansas City made the most sense due to the logistical advantages and the concentration of animal health companies in the area," Jim Cleary, CEO of MWI Veterinary Supply, said in a release. In the past year, the KC Animal Health Corridor has attracted two corporations -- Synbiotics Corp. and IdentiGEN -- and the U.S. Animal Health Association to the region. The ability to attract MWI "further demonstrates the strength of the corridor and significantly adds to the strong asset base that exists here," according to Joerg Ohle, chairman of the KC Animal Health Corridor advisory board and president and general manager of Bayer Corp. Animal Health Division, North America. rroberts@bizjournals.com | 816-421-5900 |
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