Welcome to the "Top" of Kansas City

The Kansas City Northland is something of an anomaly.

Clay and Platte counties remain the least developed of metropolitan Kansas City's five core counties. Yet between them, these two hold some of the fastest growing and highest potential ground in either state. Even the name "Northland" is unique.

The Missouri River and the area's history supply much of the answer. Partially isolated from the rest of the city by the area's great waterway, Clay and Platte for years grew slowly, almost afterthoughts to expansion elsewhere in the region. But during that time, the area learned from the mistakes of others and developed an identity.

That self-awareness is founded on an unusual blend of community and economic development and quality of life. Because the area developed slowly, the Northland has often avoided many growing pains that beset other regions. Nevertheless, the area's communities continued to set aside everything from road right-of-ways to green space, knowing their time would come. As a result, the Northland's current growth is often occurring in areas where plans have outlined infrastructure for years, even decades.

The common cause of identity also includes an unusual level of cross-county cooperation. Although Clay and Platte are not likely to consolidate, they do combine for a surprising level collaboration. The most important example may involve work with Kansas City and the state capital in Jefferson City. Both of these are increasingly important communications as the Northland seeks everything from road funding to enabling legislation.

Whether it involves politics or quality of life, this kind of branding is often invaluable. Now combined with significant economic momentum, it's an area in which the Northland has a head start.