Today, Governor Eric Greitens announced his proposal for a new state program to provide communities with matching funds for infrastructure improvements that will help create jobs.
Statement from Governor Greitens:
“Our top priority is more jobs and higher pay for the people of Missouri. When I’m talking with people about how to bring more paychecks and bigger paychecks to Missouri, they often tell me that we need better infrastructure. We're working every day to bring quality jobs back to our state, and we have to invest in infrastructure.
That's why we're proposing a new program, the Jobs and Infrastructure Fund, to help build things like utilities, ports, and bridges to areas where jobs are sorely needed. If communities are willing to partner with us to win jobs, the state will match their investment. This will be another great tool in our mission to bring more jobs to Missouri.”
In the Governor's budget proposal, $25 million will be set aside for the Jobs and Infrastructure Fund, to be managed by the Department of Economic Development with cooperation from the Department of Transportation. The department will work with local leaders to determine where targeted investments can be made to create jobs, and will provide matching funds to the community. The funds may go to transportation, communications, utilities, and other vital public infrastructure needs.
Statement from Dan Mehan, President of the Missouri Chamber of Commerce:
“The business community is increasingly vocal about the need to invest in the connections that will support our state’s economic future. These needs go beyond the well-publicized issues with our transportation infrastructure. Missouri also needs to make key investments in our ports and utility infrastructure—investments that will boost the economies of communities across Missouri. With the proposed Jobs and Infrastructure Fund, Gov. Eric Greitens has found a creative approach to help address this problem. We thank the governor for his focus on this issue and we urge the legislature to support this plan as they pass a budget this spring.”
After St. Louis, KC and Springfield suck up the money, how much will be available for out-state Missouri??
ReplyDeleteOh, he still thinks he is relevant after last week.
ReplyDeleteHe does have a point 8:15. After all Trump is still in office.
ReplyDeleteAnonyous 1:01: It strikes me that the issue isn't whether STL or KC "sucks" up the funds leaving little or nothing for out-state needs, but raher why we don't have sufficient revenue to take care of our infrastructure needs? Mightn't it have something to do with pandering to big corporate donors in the form of il-considerd tax-cuts? And don't tellme we need to cut spending elsewhere - almost every state function is seriously under-funded.
ReplyDeleteNo kidding 931. The tax cuts promised massive job growth that would in turn fill the public coffers. It didn't work when Reagan did it, when Bush W did it, and it is not working now. Thats also why they are going to raise the gas tax as well in Mo. The Show Me State? Exactly how many times do we have to show you?
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