Parson signs Hough-sponsored eco devo bill

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Governor visits Springfield to promote $22M Fast Track legislation

Economic development legislation from Sen. Lincoln Hough, R-Springfield, became law yesterday with approval from the governor.

Hough’s Senate Bill 68, approved three days before the legislative session ended May 17, authorizes $10 million for Gov. Mike Parson’s Fast Track workforce incentive program. It also modifies and renames the state Department of Economic Development’s Missouri Works training program to Missouri One Start and gives incentives for General Motors Co. (NYSE: GM) to expand its Wentzville plant, Springfield Business Journal previously reported.

“Senate Bill 68 is a comprehensive package of economic development tools meant to move Missouri to the top of the pack and send a clear signal to the rest of the country that we want to aggressively cultivate and expand our state’s workforce,” Hough said in a news release. “Missourians have amazing potential, and this new law will help open the door to those opportunities.”

Parson visited Springfield in February to promote Fast Track, a statewide grant program that aims to help lower-income residents get degrees in high-demand fields, such as computer science, health care and advanced manufacturing. The grants cover full tuition and fees for up to four semesters, according to past SBJ reporting.

SB 68 is scheduled to take effect on Aug. 28, according to the release.