Active user requirements and inquiries in the Kent Valley are reinforcing the development team’s vision for the Kent Manufacturing & Innovation Campus (KMIC), a proposed next-generation industrial development that Mortenson Development, Inc. (MDI) is advancing in partnership with the City of Kent. The 9.3-acre site is quickly emerging as a future home for specialized aerospace, defense, space, and emerging technology sectors seeking customized next-gen space in the Pacific Northwest.
Marketed by Kidder Mathews, the KMIC campus can accommodate 150,000 to 300,000 square feet of customized manufacturing, research and development, office, and industrial space on a highly visible infill site at the corner of Meeker St. and Naden Ave. in Kent. The campus directly benefits from proximity to a recently upgraded Puget Sound Energy substation capable of supporting up to 20 megawatts of power, a critical advantage for advanced manufacturers and aerospace users with significant energy requirements.
“Power availability is no longer just a utility consideration; it’s a competitive advantage,” said Executive Vice President Matt Murray, SIOR, who leads leasing efforts alongside Executive Vice President Chris Corr and Senior Vice President Dane Dahline, SIOR. “In nearly every conversation we’re having with advanced manufacturers, electrical capacity is a key topic as automation, robotics, and other advanced production technologies continue to drive demand.”
Since launching marketing and leasing efforts this spring, the development team has engaged prospective users, tenant representatives, site selectors, and industry stakeholders across the region and nation. Those conversations have helped sharpen the project’s strategic focus while validating growing demand for power-rich, build-to-suit industrial space that offers specialized occupiers greater speed-to-market, infrastructure readiness, and the ability to recruit quickly and win the insatiable race for talent.
Project leaders say KMIC’s value proposition extends beyond traditional industrial development. “Prospective occupiers in the market continue to share with us and highlight an apparent mismatch between next-generation manufacturing and innovation space requirements and available industrial supply in market,” said Jon Hines of Mortenson Development. “It’s clear these fast-growing sectors and company leaders are faced with the tough decision of occupying existing available space that may not ultimately align with their long-term requirements, goals and talent attraction objectives.”
The Kent Manufacturing & Innovation Campus is designed to foster an exceptional employee experience. The workplace environment is designed to support wellbeing and productivity through abundant natural light, panoramic views of Mount Rainier, convenient access to major highways and the 14-mile Interurban Trail that links Tukwila, Kent, Auburn, Algona and Pacific. These features deliver a high-quality work environment that enhances the employee experience and helps employers compete for, attract and retain skilled talent.
KMIC also reflects a broader economic development strategy underway in Kent, where public and private leaders are working to attract investment from aerospace, defense, space and emerging technology sectors seeking access to workforce talent, critical infrastructure, and specialized supply chains. To support this growth, the City of Kent offers incentives such as a Business & Occupation (B&O) tax exemption for qualifying federal research and development contract revenue.
The development team was recently expanded to include Baker Tilly to advise and educate prospective project partners on state and local tax and incentive considerations for qualifying organizations. “As we’ve seen more interest and momentum from a wide range of users from different sectors, Baker Tilly has been a great partner to advise our prospective partners as they’ve advanced their economic due diligence and site selection evaluation,” noted Kyle Helm, business development executive with Mortenson.
Recognized as one of the Pacific Northwest’s most important industrial centers, the Kent Valley is a longtime hub for aerospace, defense research and development, advanced manufacturing technology creation, and engineering talent. The area is experiencing a surge in demand due to a confluence of macroeconomic factors: increased spending forecasts for the next defense bill, growing NATO expenditures, a renewed global space race, advancements in low-earth-orbit technology, and a backlog of civilian aircraft and drones.
Home to more than 200 aerospace-related companies, the region offers a unique concentration of manufacturers, suppliers, and technology firms, providing emerging space and advanced manufacturing companies access to specialized talent, expertise, and supply-chain partners.
Recent initiatives, including the launch of a Space Northwest space business accelerator through a partnership involving the Commercial Space Federation, reflect continued investment and excitement about the deal flow coming out of the Kent Valley’s legacy and incumbent talent pool.
City leaders have worked closely with the development team to position the Kent Manufacturing and Innovation Campus for next-generation industrial and manufacturing users while supporting the private sector’s desire to move thoughtfully but at speed and scale. The project recently received SEPA approval, completing the project’s environmental review process.
“The City of Kent has made a long-term commitment to supporting advanced manufacturing, aerospace innovation, and family-wage job creation,” said William Ellis, chief economic development officer at the City of Kent. “Through our partnership with Mortenson and Kidder Mathews, we’re creating opportunities for companies to move more quickly, access critical infrastructure, reduce development uncertainty, and build upon the talent and industrial ecosystem that already exists here today.”
For more information on the Kent Manufacturing and Innovation Campus, visit kmicampus.com.
For leasing inquiries and information, email Matt Murray at Kidder Mathews at matt.murray@kidder.com.
About Mortenson and Mortenson Development
Mortenson is a U.S.-based, top 10 developer, builder, and engineering services provider serving the commercial, institutional, and energy sectors. Through a growing portfolio of integrated services, including design, construction, development, and real estate investment, Mortenson helps customers turn strategies into high-performing assets. Mortenson Development (MDI) is the real estate development arm of Mortenson. Drawing on a national build-to‑suit platform and deep expertise in complex projects, MDI partners with public and private stakeholders to deliver thoughtful, long-term real estate solutions that align with each partner’s goals & objectives. For more information, visit mortenson.com.
About the City of Kent
The City of Kent is one of Washington’s leading centers for industrial employment, aerospace activity, and advanced manufacturing. Located in the heart of the Kent Valley industrial corridor, the city continues to invest in infrastructure, workforce development, and strategic partnerships that support long-term economic growth and innovation.
About Baker Tilly
Baker Tilly is a top 10 advisory, tax and assurance firm with local market presence and clients across all 50 states, combining broad capabilities and industry experience with insight into business and market conditions. Baker Tilly helps organizations navigate growth, transformation, transactions, tax matters and other complex business challenges. Baker Tilly is available to Mortenson and, where appropriate, prospective KMIC tenants as a resource for evaluating Washington state and local tax considerations, identifying potentially available statutory and negotiated incentives, and assessing how planned investment, employment and business activities may affect eligibility. Baker Tilly can also help evaluate whether a development or tenant project may be a candidate for financing tools such as New Markets Tax Credits and, where appropriate, assist with strategy, financial modeling, and transaction structuring.
About Kidder Mathews
Kidder Mathews is the largest fully independent commercial real estate firm in the Western U.S., with over 900 professionals in 19 offices across Washington, Oregon, California, Nevada, and Arizona. We offer a complete range of brokerage, appraisal, asset services, consulting, and debt & equity finance services for all property types. Kidder Mathews averages $9 billion in transaction volume, manages 55 million square feet of space, and conducts nearly 2,700 appraisal, consulting, and cost segregation assignments annually. For more information, visit kidder.com.
