Jill Hruby, DOE Under Secretary for Nuclear Security and NNSA Administrator, recently congratulated employees at the Kansas City National Security Campus (KCNSC) for the successful opening of a new light manufacturing facility close to the main campus.
At a ribbon-cutting ceremony held during her two-day visit to KCNSC in mid-October, Administrator Hruby told employees: “I am happy to report that the work you will be conducting here at Building 23 will not only support the Kansas City National Security Campus’s already impressive record of mission delivery, but today’s ribbon cutting exemplifies what we mean when we say the NNSA’s goal is to innovate, collaborate and deliver on its unique national security mission.”
Also known as KCNSC East, the 275,000 square-foot facility expands manufacturing capabilities and is home to a state-of-the-art advanced manufacturing training center.
“Since being sworn in as NNSA Administrator nearly three months ago, I’ve consistently emphasized that my top priority is to deliver – in a cost-effective manner – on the significant commitments in NNSA programs across the board,” she said. “In an era marked by a rapidly evolving geopolitical environment, the Nuclear Security Enterprise must find ways to innovate and accelerate mission delivery to stay ahead of potential threats and seize opportunities when they arise.”
As part of the Kansas City Short Term Expansion program – or “KC STEP” – Building 23 was leased for light manufacturing work, with tenant improvements completed last December. Working collaboratively, NNSA and Honeywell staff completed the transition of this former warehouse space on time and were able to transfer heavy equipment and other necessary items to enable work to begin onsite as soon as possible.
Administrator Hruby told employees: “This facility will help KCNSC meet mission demand and to be more strategic with your manufacturing space to accommodate near-term facility needs while a plan to support our long-term manufacturing requirements is developed.”
The addition of this large manufacturing area frees up space in Building 2, the main manufacturing facility for KCNSC, allowing additional work to be done there to further help meet mission requirements.
“Today’s ribbon cutting demonstrates the importance of infrastructure modernization to the Nuclear Security Enterprise,” she said. “Investment in infrastructure is an investment in people. America has benefited enormously from the support and investment in the Enterprise’s people and remarkable and unique facilities, and our Nation has benefitted from the professionalism and commitment of KCNSC’s workforce.”
Following the ribbon cutting with Kansas City Field Office Manager Jeff Shoulta and Honeywell FM&T President Eric Wollerman, the Administrator Hruby took a brief tour of Building 23, making stops at the facility’s mock factory, excess storage space and visiting with employees who work in those areas.
