Jay Nixon Outlines Plans to Attract Next-Generation Auto Jobs to Missouri

FENTON, Mo. -- Speaking at a townhall meeting on Missouri’s economy with Fenton autoworkers today, Attorney General Jay Nixon outlined his plans to make Missouri a prime location for the automobile industry to create next-generation auto jobs and expand production of energy-efficient vehicles.
 
"While everyone is feeling the pain of this economic crisis, our auto industry has been hit particularly hard. As the auto industry begins to expand its production of energy-efficient vehicles, we must ensure that Missouri is ready to capitalize on these next-generation jobs," Attorney General Nixon said.  "Missouri is already home to the best autoworkers in the world, and we’ve got the plants and facilities here as well. We just need to make sure our state government is ready to do its part to recruit these jobs to our communities. 

"In Washington, Congressman Hulshof supported the failed policies that created this economic crisis. The Congressman voted for special tax breaks and unfair trade deals that help big corporations ship Missouri overseas.  That’s not the change we need.  As Governor, I will ensure that we use tax credits, job training and other financial incentives to strategically and efficiently make sure that high-quality jobs are created right here to the Missouri."

As Fenton braces for the loss of 2,400 Chrysler jobs at the end of the month, Attorney General Nixon said that as Governor, he would establish a panel of industry, economic and government experts to research the best means of attracting next-generation automobile jobs to Missouri.  Specifically, Attorney General Nixon would charge the commission with finding the best combination of financial incentives, job-training programs and infrastructure improvements to make Missouri an optimal location for this high-tech, high-paying industry.
 
The Fenton layoffs will be the latest blows to Missouri's skyrocketing unemployment.  Missouri's unemployment rate in August climbed to 6.6 percent - the highest unemployment rate in 17 years.  Missouri has lost more jobs in the past year than all eight of its bordering states combined.  [Analysis of Bureau of Labor Statistics Data, 9/19/08]
 
To combat that rise in unemployment, and expand Missouri’s share of green-sector jobs, Attorney General Nixon proposed:

• To implement a Job Retention and Creation Tax Credit to retain and expand high wage jobs in the manufacturing of next-generation green automobiles.
  
• To study which infrastructure modifications must be made to make Missouri the most attractive location for the auto industry to create its next-generation jobs and implement a Missouri Green Conversion Tax Credit to retool existing manufacturing plants with the technological innovations required to build the next generation of green automobiles.
  
• To implement job-training programs to ensure that Missouri’s auto-workers are prepared to compete for these high-tech jobs. A well-educated workforce is the key to attracting employers.
  
• Create an Advanced Technological Green Manufacturing Fund to provide funding for joint venture public-private research related to the design and manufacturing of the next generation of green automobiles.