Fairfax Industrial Association

Many do not know the historical significance of Fairfax. The Fairfax District is believed to be the first planned industrial district in the country and currently houses over 120 businesses, employs over 10,000 people and generates over $5.4 billion in annual sales. Business sizes range from very small, one- employee businesses, to large companies, employing more than 3,500 people. Many are world famous: the Fairfax Kellogg’s plant makes nearly 75% of all of the Cheez-Its, CertainTeed is the largest insulation manufacturing plant in the world, Owens Corning makes the famous Pink Panther insulation and The Fairfax General Motors Assembly Plant is the only plant making the Chevrolet Malibu. Between the 3 Pipe Line Companies (Magellan, Phillips & Exxon), 95% of the Kansas City metropolitan area’s supply for unleaded gasoline and diesel and 100% of the jet fuel comes out of Fairfax. The Fairfax District embraces 2,000 acres in a central location of the Kansas City metro area. The district was founded in 1922. The Fairfax Industrial Association, FIA, was established in 1951. The FIA has a board of 12 members representing businesses within the Fairfax District. The FIA Executive Director reports to the FIA board and serves as the liaison between businesses, the FIA board and FIA partners through various platforms including FIA luncheons, newsletters, email blasts, public letters, website and one-on-one meetings. FIA partners include the Unified Government of Wyandotte County, the KCK PD, the Board of Public Utilities, the Fairfax Drainage District, the Historic Midtown Northeast Association, the KCK Chamber, the Union Pacific Railroad, and the Wyandotte Economic Development Council. The FIA is supported through resident business memberships and associate memberships. The association works specifically to address the Fairfax business needs and betterment of the district.