A recent regional strategic planning process conducted by New Economy Strategies, on behalf of the Kansas City Area Life Sciences Institute (KCALSI), identified six areas of opportunity based on existing assets and strengths. Animal health represents a sub-field with a competitive advantage as 40% of the world animal health market passes through companies in this region. Additionally, veterinary schools at Kansas State University and the University of Missouri-Columbia are nationally recognized for their quality research activities. 

KCALSI will use WIRED funding to foster and facilitate collaborations between research universities/institutes and private-sector animal health companies through Innovation Grants. These grants will forge new partnerships between industry and academia, expand awareness for scientists in both communities regarding research interests and industry needs, and potentially accelerate innovation and technology transfer/commercialization activities. The anticipated return in future external research support would be a minimum of 7:1.

Concurrently, the Kansas City Area Development Council is developing a strategy to expand recruitment activities related to animal health and related supportive service companies to the region and the Greater KC Chamber of Commerce is assessing the public policy environment to recommend other economic and workforce development strategies to make the region more competitive for the animal health industry.