FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, September 12, 2005
Contact: Jessica Robinson, 573-751-0290
Blunt Touts Missouri’s Benefits
Meets with International Business Leaders
CINCINNATI—Gov. Matt Blunt is meeting with Japanese business leaders today at the Midwest U.S.-Japan Association conference to tout Missouri workers and the state’s pro-jobs, pro-family agenda.
"The workforce in Missouri is second to none. By reaching out on behalf of our workers, we can enhance our economy and expand the number of high quality, high paying, family-supporting jobs for our citizens," Blunt said. "Our state is open for business, and I plan to take that message to leaders here and abroad."
Blunt will meet with representatives from Kajima Corporation, Honda Motors, Sumitomo Chemical Corporation, Toshiba Corporation and Itochu Corporation. He is scheduled to have lunch with delegates from the Mitsubishi Corporation.
The Midwest U.S.-Japan Association is comprised of ten member states working to incubate the growth of bilateral trade and investment between the Midwest and Japan. According to the association website, states cooperate to increase understanding of Japan's markets and resources, to showcase the Midwest as America's most dynamic business environment, and to develop knowledge in Japan of direct foreign investment opportunities in Midwest communities and the export potential of Midwest companies.
This is another example of Blunt’s proactive initiatives to attract quality jobs to Missouri. In June, the governor traveled to Detroit to visit with automotive industry leaders and encourage them to maintain and expand operations in Missouri.
In addition to his outreach efforts, Blunt signed into law new legal liability and workers’ compensation reforms and initiated the Missouri Quality Jobs Act, tying job creation to economic incentives. The Quality Jobs Act is a new approach to economic development that has provided communities another tool to attract and retain jobs.
Blunt’s initiatives are paying off. According to the Department of Economic Development, the number of jobs in Missouri has increased by 53,900 since January. Also, so far this year, Missouri’s export rate is half a billion dollars above last year’s record pace while there has been an 84 percent increase to date in corporate income and corporate franchise tax collections.
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