Governor Blunt's Economic Policies Pay Big Dividends for Missouri's Working Men and Women

FROM THE OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR

July 08, 2008

Contact: Jessica Robinson, 573-751-0290


JOPLIN  Gov. Blunt today visited Joplin to celebrate the formal opening of the Best Buy Customer Contact Center. The new center has created 350 new jobs in the area and is expected to create at least another 300 jobs next year with assistance from an economic growth initiative championed by Gov. Blunt.

"By changing our states business climate, we have encouraged Missouri entrepreneurs, small businesses, and large employers such as Best Buy to create new jobs in our state," Gov. Blunt said. "All Missourians benefit from living in a more prosperous state, a state where everyone has the chance to live up to their full potential. The pro-jobs, pro-growth initiatives we have enacted are working and I am pleased that Best Buy and other businesses have recognized that Missouri is a state that is open for business."

The new Best Buy Customer Contact Center has created nearly 350 jobs in the Joplin area and is expected to create 300 more jobs next year with assistance from enhanced enterprise zone tax credits.

This year Gov. Blunt signed legislation to support responsible economic development in Missouri and ensure the state remains competitive in the global marketplace. The legislation provides tax credits for companies that implement mega projects in Missouri.

Also this year the governor signed legislation, which contained several major provisions to build on strong economic growth and development in Missouri. The legislation increases the annual cap on the governors successful Quality Jobs Tax Credit Program from $40 million to $60 million and among other things increases the amount of tax credits the Missouri Department of Economic Development may authorize for the Enhanced Enterprise Zone Program from $14 million to $24 million.

Economic development legislation passed this year builds on the unparalleled reforms enacted under Gov. Blunts leadership. Comprehensive litigation reform enacted by Gov. Blunt in 2005 drove the state to a ten spot jump in a Leading National Watch Groups ranking. Missouris significant leap in rank from 41st to 31st over three years as reported by the U.S. Chamber Institute for Legal Reform is just one of the many success stories resulting from Gov. Blunts pro-jobs, pro-growth initiatives.

In addition, Gov. Matt Blunts workers compensation reform measures enacted in 2005 are helping to decrease workers compensation rates in the state. The law restored fairness to Missouris workers compensation system by protecting rights of injured workers without threatening Missouri jobs.

Gov. Blunt has successfully restored order to a broken state budget without raising taxes. He inherited a devastated state economy in January 2005 that was $1.1 billion in the red and had lost 34,000 jobs in the previous four years. Overall, Gov. Blunts pro-jobs, pro-growth initiatives have helped Missourians create nearly 80,000 new jobs since January 2005.