Missouri Gov. Nixon Tours Cutting-Edge, Growing Battery Producer, Reiterates Call For Passage Of Emergency Jobs Bill

May 7, 2009 -- LEE'S SUMMIT, Mo. -- Missouri Governor Jay Nixon toured the production facility at Kokam America in Lee's Summit this morning to urge the Missouri Senate to take urgent action to pass the administration's emergency jobs bill. The bill, which has passed several times in the Missouri House of Representatives, would provide vital resources to help high-tech, next-generation companies expand and create jobs.

Kokam America is a growing manufacturer of cutting-edge lithium battery projects, which are used in applications such as computers, emergency response vehicles and U.S. military fighter jets. The company's U.S. headquarters are in Lee's Summit.

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"During these difficult economic times, my administration needs every possible tool at its disposal to help businesses create jobs and get Missourians back to work," Gov. Nixon said. "This jobs bill will provide critical resources to help next-generation businesses, just like Kokam, expand their operations and create new jobs. We only have one week remaining in this legislative session, and we simply can't afford further delay. The State Senate needs to take urgent action to pass this jobs bill so that we can put Missourians back on the job."

The jobs bill, Senate Bill 215, would expand several economic state economic development programs, including job-training initiatives and the successful Missouri Quality Jobs Program. Under the Quality Jobs Program, businesses agree to create a certain number of jobs that pay wages above the county average and provide health care benefits for their employees. In exchange, the state agrees to provide financial incentives to help the companies fund their growth and expansion. Strict accountability measures ensure that the state does not provide any of these incentives until the business has created the jobs.

"Missouri is home to the most productive, most highly skilled workers in the nation, but in these tight times, we need additional resources to help give our state an edge over the competition," Gov. Nixon said. "This jobs bill will help make our state an even better choice when high-tech businesses are looking to expand."

Senate Bill 215 received final approval in the Missouri House of Representatives by an overwhelming, bipartisan vote last week. The bill now awaits final approval in the Missouri Senate. The 2009 legislative session ends next Friday, May 15.

Source: Missouri Governor