The Critical Materials Crossroads initiative aims to build a Kansas City regional hub for domestic critical materials, with Missouri Extension projecting about 10,000 jobs by 2036 and up to $40 billion in economic output.
The U.S. National Science Foundation selected the University of Missouri-Kansas City-led NSF Critical Materials Crossroads Engine in the Kansas City region for an initial $15 million award over two years, with the potential to receive up to $160 million over the next decade if it meets milestones. The initiative, launched by the University of Missouri System in 2022, is designed to build a regional critical materials ecosystem for metals and advanced materials used in batteries, aircraft engine parts, semiconductors and medical devices, while reducing U.S. dependence on foreign-controlled supply chains. Missouri Extension estimates the effort could create about 10,000 jobs by 2036 and generate up to $40 billion in economic output, lifting combined Missouri-Kansas GDP by $17 billion over 10 years. NSF said the award is part of its Regional Innovation Engines program, which named 12 U.S. teams across 20 states. Critical Materials Crossroads was one of 15 finalists chosen in 2025 from 285 proposals nationwide.