The governor wants companies in Missouri to make more deals like that.
“I don't think of it as a regional bill at all. In fact, if something of the products made here are shipped to China through a commercial outlet at Lambert Airport, that's good for Springfield and jobs right here,” said Nixon.
The plan’s blueprint calls for St. Louis to be the magnet and clearinghouse to increase exports from Missouri.
“A lot of freight that has moved around the world is actually booked through what are called freight forwarders. We want them to locate in Missouri,” said Nixon.
To make it happen, Nixon is counting on lawmakers to cut red tape but also support the other part of his plan to attract next generation high tech companies to help grow the economy.
“What it will do is take a percentage of new jobs that are created in the technology area and capture that into a fund that will then be appropriated and used for start-ups and expansions,” he said.
To make it happen requires bipartisan support, which Nixon claims is starting to gel.
“I am heartened by the fact that here in Missouri you have Democrats and Republicans working together, focused on creating jobs,” the governor said.
Apparently that is Nixon's price to support paying off the multi-millions that Missouri has spent on relief and recovery from the Joplin tornado and widespread flooding
There are no guarantees but the "Made in Missouri" jobs package promises enough incentives to create an estimated 18,000 construction jobs for that international export hub in St. Louis and nearly 11,000 permanent jobs.
It’s a start. As Missouri struggles to shake off the drag of a deep recession, nearly one million people are on food stamps and Medicaid -- that's one in every six.
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Edited news release from governor's office:
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – “We’re going to make things in Missouri.”
That was the message that Gov. Jay Nixon delivered on Wednesday during a visit to Holloway America, a manufacturer of stainless-steel tanks, tank components and precision stainless steel spare parts.
In a planned special session in September, the Legislature likely will consider a proposed Made in Missouri Jobs Package, which would help companies like Holloway America expand their sale of products overseas; promote high-tech industries in the state; and create thousands of jobs to put Missourians back to work. A significant portion of Holloway’s business involves exports to China and other markets.
“Missouri is home to some of the most skilled and professional workers in the world, and the products they make are valued not only here in America, but in every corner of the globe,” Nixon said. “We need to come together now to pass this bipartisan jobs package to create jobs that put Missourians back to work, to support manufacturing in our state, and to sell more Missouri products in countries overseas. We’re going to continue to make, grow and build products right here in the Show-Me State.”
