The Briarcliff business center occupies a luxurious Tuscan-themed banking and office building. Detailed tiling lends character to the interior, with walking trails and beautiful sculptures adding to the external appeal of the campus setting. The signature location is ideal for both working and living, just five minutes north of downtown Kansas City. Kansas City became known for high-profile technological innovation when, following a highly competitive selection process, it beat over 1,000 other communities to become the first site for Google's experimental fiber-optic network which went live in 2012. Many leading national companies operating in sectors from food processing to the automobile and service industries have chosen the Kansas City metropolitan area as their home. A wealth of production facilities, warehouses and distribution centers make the shipping of raw materials and finished goods to and from America's heartland easy and cost-effective. Economic growth is supported by a local government known for its business-friendly attitude.