Despite some of the negative economic news we have been hearing lately, there is some good news to talk about in rural Missouri. It is also an example of how state government can help make a difference.
No fewer than nine companies in the 21st Senatorial District have been approved for Missouri Job Development Fund dollars through the Missouri Customized Training Program (MCTP). The nine companies will receive $138,696 to train 892 employees.
The MCTP offers funding assistance to eligible employers to train and re-train new and current employees. During fiscal year 2009, training assistance was approved through the Missouri Job Development Fund for 243 different companies to train more than 32,000 people. These companies reported more than $1.4 billion in capital investment in the state.
I am pleased to see so many fine organizations getting the help they need to keep jobs and bring more jobs into rural Missouri. The companies that are sharing the money are:
Ardent Outdoors, Inc., in Macon. The folks there will receive $9,000 to train 15 people.
ConAgra Foods in Macon, which will train 325 employees with $25,000.
Klassic Ice Lights in Macon, which will use $15,000 in customized training funds to train 10 employees.
Bob Monnig Industries, Inc., in Glasgow. The folks there will get $25,000 to train 80 people.
Phoenix Manufacturing, Inc., in Glasgow, which will train eight employees with $8,000.
Caterpillar, Inc., in Boonville, which will use $30,000 in customized training funds to train 100 employees.
Inovatia Laboratories, LLC, in Fayette. The folks there will receive $8,000 to train six people.
Magna Seating in Excelsior Springs, which will train 203 employees with $8,696.
Milbank Manufacturing Co. in Concordia, which will use $10,000 in customized training funds to train 145 employees.
This is an example of using resources for the betterment of a community. For all the programs state government offers, I think it is those that show real results that should be highlighted. The Missouri Department of Economic Development (DED) is one of those state agencies that makes a difference. We in the Legislature are always looking at ways to bring jobs into Missouri and help keep the ones that are already here. But the folks at DED do this all the time. They have some proven and effective ways of training and re-training employees throughout Missouri so we can not only keep up with the rest of the world, but also lead.
In a time like this, it is good to know we have resources and ways of keeping people working. I pray the economy picks up soon. It has been a long year for too many folks throughout rural Missouri. I applaud DED for doing everything it can to keep Missouri on the cutting edge and I know the money that is being invested in these nine companies will pay big dividends for years to come.
Senator Stouffer serves the counties of Carroll, Chariton, Cooper, Howard, Lafayette, Macon, Ray, Saline, and a part of Clay.
If you have questions or comments about this or any other issue, please call toll free (866) 768-3987 or by
e-mail at bstouffer@senate.mo.gov.
