http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/kcur/local-kcur-932462.mp3
Kansas City, MO – Encouragement came today for workers at the Claycomo Ford Plant, though there's no "done deal." The Missouri Department of Economic Development has confirmed that Ford has applied for the $150 million ten year tax credit package the Missouri Legislature passed this summer.
Curiously, neither Ford nor anyone in the state administration is willing to say much of anything about the application.
The tax credits were passed in mid summer, over a filibuster championed by Representative Chuck Purgason. His anti-package sentiments at the time included these thoughts--"we're looking at a billion dollar shortfall next year out of a seven billion dollar GR budget is going to be catastrophic for a lot of the state programs such as education."
The state tax credits were designed to invest in production capacity.
There have been fears Ford has lost commitment to Claycomo, enhanced since Ford revealed it was moving one of its Claycomo models to another factory.