Thursday, April 5, 2007
Contact: Jessica Robinson, 573-751-0290
Blunt Touts Strong Missouri Economy at Thriving Kansas City Business
KANSAS CITY–Gov. Matt Blunt today touted Missouri's strong, resilient economy during a visit to Proteon Therapeutics, a rapidly growing biotechnology company that has also been approved for benefits under the Quality Jobs Act that will result in 30 new high-paying jobs for Kansas City.
"Proteon Therapeutics is a true Missouri success story, and I am excited that the new jobs they are creating will add to the 82,500 jobs Missourians have created over the last two years," Blunt said. "This is an innovative business that was courted by cities on both coasts but chose Kansas City to create jobs and opportunity. I am pleased we were able to be a partner in their early success, and we will continue pushing pro-jobs, pro-growth initiatives to attract more businesses and jobs to Missouri that share the same tremendous potential."
Proteon will create 30 new jobs over the next four years paying an average salary of $50,000 annually and will invest $10 million in a new facility and equipment. Last November, the Missouri Department of Economic Development approved $150,000 in Development Tax Credits to assist in the procurement of equipment. The Missouri Development Finance Board also approved $150,000 worth of state tax credits they administer to help with additional construction projects
Proteon Therapeutics is a biotechnology company, developing novel, first-in-class pharmaceuticals to address the critical and rapidly expanding medical needs of patients with vascular diseases. The company is leveraging the unique understanding of tissue remodeling to develop a pipeline of proprietary therapeutics.
As governor, Blunt has made helping employers and entrepreneurs create good, family-supporting jobs a top priority. Since he took office in January 2005, Missourians have created 82,500 new jobs and Missouri businesses have set new export records, most recently in 2006 with $12.8 billion worth of exports to 191 different countries.