Politics Watch — February 17, 2010
Nixon discusses small business loan program in Columbia
Missouri Governor Jay Nixon stopped by Traditions in Woodworking, a Columbia woodworking shop, to talk about his 2010 Jobs Package and the results of his Missouri Small Business Loan Program launched last year.
“From day one when I took office, my top priority has been to turn this economy around,” Nixon said in a news release. “In fact, one of my first executive orders was to create this tool giving small businesses in Missouri access to low-interest loans to help them grow”
The Small Business Loan Program offers loans of $2,500 to $25,000 and can be repaid over 10 years at a 3 percent interest rate. As of Feb. 16, the program approved 44 loans totaling $1,055,159. Of the original loan pool approved by the Missouri Development Finance Board, an additional $894,841 is available for loans.
Nixon’s 2010 Jobs Package contains three major components.
The first proposal, which requires legislative approval, would provide eligible Missouri employers incentives under select economic development programs for being located in Missouri for at least five years.
The Missouri Science and Innovation Reinvestment Act (MOSIRA,) the second proposal, would create a fund for investment in new science and technology companies that relocate to Missouri. MOSIRA also requires legislative approval.
The Training for Tomorrow program is the final proposal in Nixon’s 2010 Job program. The program would provide a $12 million investment fun for job-training programs at Missouri community colleges. As a requirement for funds, community colleges must submit proposals to the Missouri Department of Economic Development explaining how they would uses the money and the programs they would expand. Training for Tomorrow does not require legislative approval.
Nixon said the economic challenges that face Missouri are tough, but the people of Missouri are tougher.
“By investing in our existing businesses, technology and training, I am confident we will create the jobs we need and move our economy forward,” Nixon said.
Senator Bond to visit Columbia
U.S. Sen. Kit Bond is touring MU's Thompson Center on Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders today at 3 p.m. to promote $750,000 worth of funding he secured for the center, according to a news release from his office. That money came from a federal funding bill, which passed the Senate in December.
Bond did not vote on the bill.
The center, which served more than 1,700 people last year, specializes in treating autism spectrum disorders.
"The Thompson Center is a leader in the fight against autism and an important resource in meeting the needs of children and families living with autism,” Bond said in the release. “I am proud to support their mission and thank the Center’s faculty and staff who do such an outstanding job serving these children and families.”
In addition to these funds, Bond secured an additional $118 million for Missouri in the bill, according to his Web site.
Bond, who voted against President Barack Obama's stimulus package, which is different from the omnibus spending bill, has been criticized by Democrats. They have said he voted against the stimulus while promoting money in the bill he brought to Missouri.
To read more about this, you can check out this Kansas City Star article and this post on the St. Louis Post-Dispatch Web site.