http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/kcur/local-kcur-913107.mp3
Kansas City, MO – "It's a great day for all working people in the state of Missouri!" said Jim Wells, regional director for the Autoworkers union reflecting a pretty upbeat mood across the street from the Claycomo plant. Workers and politicians celebrated as governor Nixon signed the measure granting auto makers, and their suppliers up to 15 million dollars a year in tax breaks, for 10 years if they invest here.
"We are committed to making sure that Missouri is an automotive (manufacturing) state for years to come", said Nixon.
Missouri may have committed, but Ford hasn't. The company will stop making it's Escape SUV there in about a year and a half. At this point that would throw almost 3,000 people out of work. Nixon says he's been talking to Ford executives, but that they haven't promised anything will replace the Escape.
Full-sized pickups are the mainstay up at Claycomo, but the sluggish economy has hurt truck sales.
