Holden announces job growth strategy at summit

Gov. Bob Holden announced March 3 a strategic job growth plan, Missouri@Work, to retain and create jobs as the state's economy transforms from the traditionally industrial and resource-based economy into a knowledge-based economy, according to a news release.

Holden presented the plan to business, education, labor and community leaders from across the state during a jobs summit in Jefferson City.

Holden's plan focuses on five areas: strengthening education and work-force skills; increasing business competitiveness; investing in communities; building infrastructure capacity; and reforming government and regulatory rules.

"We must streamline state government and review our current tax incentives and policy decisions to assure that we are doing everything possible to support Missouri businesses during this national recession," Holden said. "Likewise, we must remain committed to support for education and job training to make Missouri competitive in the knowledge-based economy of the future."

The plan follows a 22-month study that assesses where Missouri is in its transition into a new knowledge-based economy. In April 2001, Holden convened an Economic Prosperity Summit to help lay the groundwork for Missouri's place in the new economy. That meeting which focused on Missouri's three target industries of plant and life sciences, information technology and advanced manufacturing was followed by industry and regional roundtables that provided more input about the state's economic priorities.

Sen. Peter Kinder, president pro-tem of the Missouri Senate, said Holden did not have the answers he was looking for.

"Where the rubber hits the road is on tougher issues like workers' comp reform and tort reform two bills that have already passed House and that we're going to try and pass here in the Senate. Neither of those issues got a mention from the governor," said Kinder (R-Cape Girardeau).

"This summit was a bunch of government people talking to government people," he added.

Holden also discussed his decision to call for a 1 percent reduction in the corporate income tax and announced his support for several other legislative proposals to stimulate the economy. Holden called on the General Assembly to:

authorize the use of $600,000 from tax credit savings to create the Missouri Small Business Network, to expand services to small business;

change state law to give favorable consideration in the state bid process to businesses that employ Missouri citizens and contribute to the state's economic growth;

modify existing state incentive programs designed to attract new businesses to also encourage retention of high-paying manufacturing jobs currently in the state; and

support the bi-partisan legislation to help retain thousands of jobs at the Ford Motor Plant in Hazelwood. The legislation would change the current Enterprise Zone Program and the Build Missouri Program to encourage capital investment in the Ford plant.

Holden also reiterated support for education as a key to economic success for the future.

"Missouri must commit its resources and attention to our educational institutions so that they adapt to the evolving needs of the state's economy," Holden said. Holden will charge a newly appointed commission, the Commission on the Future of Higher Education, with the goal of strengthening the ties between higher education and the business community.