Nixon touts jobs package at Nixa business

Gov. Jay Nixon visited Nixa-based Mostly Memories Candle Co., Aug. 26 as part of an initiative to promote the Made in Missouri Jobs Package, which will be up for debate during a special session of the state's General Assembly beginning Sept. 6.

The jobs act focuses on expanding Missouri exports and on growing the state's offerings in the science and technology industry, among other priorities.

During the visit, Nixon praised the candle company for its exports, to which account for roughly 13 percent of its annual sales.

“What started in an attic in Springfield almost 20 years ago has grown into the thriving business we see today, with clients across country and around the world,” Nixon said in a news release. “This is the kind of prosperity we must bring to companies across Missouri, so that the people of the world continue to know the quality behind those three words: Made in Missouri."

Mostly Memories, which is owned and managed by David Aguirre and his family, got its start in Springfield in 1993 but later expanded when it moved to Nixa. The company has worked with the Missouri Department of Economic Development's International Trades & Investment Office since 2009, which has helped it to find distributors in Japan, South Korea, China, Thailand and Mexico.

Nixon said Missouri's international exports have increased 13 percent in the first two quarters of 2011, following a 35 percent increase during 2010.

“To help more Missouri businesses achieve this level of success, I’m calling on the General Assembly to pass a bipartisan, Made in Missouri jobs bill to provide the economic tools needed to help more local businesses create jobs and grow,” Nixon said in the release. “Working together we can continue to help more Missourians find work, while balancing our budget and holding the line of taxes.”

Nixon promoted the jobs package during a similar visit Aug. 25 at Liberty-based Continental Disc Corp.

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