Bombardier has received Missouri’s $240 million proposal, personally.
Governor Blunt flew to Montreal not for pleasure, but for business. Blunt presented the proposal to Bombardier executives in person. The proposal, approved by the legislature this year, would provide hundreds of millions of dollars in tax credits over eight years. Provisions in the bill call for the manufacturer to repay the credits once airplane production begins.
Bombardier is trying to decide where to locate a $400 million airplane assembly facility. The choice has reportedly been narrowed to either staying in Montreal or locating the plant in Missouri, at Kansas City International Airport. The complex is expected to employ 2,100, with hundreds of spin off jobs in addition.
Blunt has made business trips to Europe, Italy and the Paris Air Show, and has been to Mexico twice. He says future governors will have to travel even more as global competition heats up. Blunt believes Missouri’s chances of luring Bombardier are good, but he avoids assigning any specific number to the state’s chances.
Download/policy Brent Martin reports (:60 MP3)
