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Missouri can remain viable auto state, says report

September 13, 2009 By

Missouri was once a dominant force in the auto industry. A task force has made a number of recommendations to keep the state from becoming a bit player.

Missouri was once second only to Michigan in auto production. As recently as 2004, nearly 40,000 Missourians held automotive sector jobs. That stands at 26,000 today. High profile blows to the Missouri economy include Ford’s decision to close its Hazelwood factory in 2002. Last year, Chrysler decided to idle its St. Louis South Assembly Plant that built minivans. The company then announced it would shut down the North Assembly Plant that made pick-ups.

Still, the auto industry contributes $4 billion annually to the state economy. The task force report points out “Missouri workers have exceptional skills and experience in all aspects of motor vehicle production.” Workers have expertise in light truck and utility vehicle manufacturing, storage batteries, truck trailer manufacturing, vehicle lighting, seating and brake systems.

The report the task force delivered to Governor Nixon makes five broad recommendations, and then breaks those down into more specific recommendations. One of the top recommendations is that Missouri embrace the move to more environmentally-friendly vehicles.

“Across the board, we’re going through a major change in terms of overall technology and how it impacts the vehicle, the driver to the driving experience,” says Tony Reinhart, Regional Director of Government Affairs for the Ford Motor Company and one of 21 members on the task force.

Among the recommendations are creation of a corporate income tax credit for targeted industry research and development, commission a study of what it would take to build a “Green Auto” infrastructure and establishment of a “Missouri Center for Automotive Excellence”.

Another broad recommendation is to upgrade the training of Missouri’s auto workers so they can better adapt to changes in the industry.

The task force recommends the state assist automotive companies to upgrade technologies and diversify. It also wants the state to commission a third party study of the economic development incentives the state uses to lure business to Missouri or help firms in the state expand.

“Sometimes you find yourself at a disadvantage, because some state has certain types of programs that we may not have,” Reinhart says. “So, we want to make sure we have some kind of outside third party take a look and give an honest assessment of where Missouri was at in terms of its toolbox.”

The report says Missouri needs to consider creating a new “mega-investment” incentive program designed to retain high-paying jobs, such as programs established in Michigan and Ohio, two other auto states. Incentives could also be created to help establish so-called “supplier parks”, industrial complexes that locate supplies next to final assembly plants.

Reinhart says that despite the blows Missouri has had to absorb, it remains in a prime position to continue as a viable auto state.

Download/listen Brent Martin reports (:60 MP3)
Download/listen Brent Martin interviews Tony Reinhart (15:30 MP3)

Filed Under: Business, Economy Tagged With: , , ,

Missouri Wines hoping to benefit from sponsorship of Tour of Missouri

September 13, 2009 By

The 2009 Tour of Missouri has given a lot of Missourians a chance to see some world class professional bicycle racing and has given others a chance to spread the word about Missouri wines. Missouri Wines – the promotional vehicle of the Missouri Wine and Grape Board – was a part of this year’s Tour every stage of the way. In fact, it’s been associated with the event since it started in 2007.

Missouri Wines Marketing Director Danene Beedle Danene Beedle, Marketing Director with Missouri Wines, says promoting Missouri and its wine industry has been a lot of fun.

"It’s really exciting, you know, to have people from all over – not only this country – but other countries have the exposure to cycling in Missouri and then also learn about the wine culture that we have here," said Beedle in an interview with the Missourinet.

Bicycling and wine are a natural mix in Europe and other places in which these world class athletes are as well known as football of baseball players are known in this country.

"This is really a lifestyle event, just like tailgating is for football," said Beedle. "Wine and enjoying the countryside and stopping off at little places along the way – it’s part of cycling and it’s part of the culture."

Beedle says Missouri Wines’ sponsorship of this event helps to promote this Show-Me State product overseas, but the prime target is the American consumer who might consider quality Missouri wines rather than those from California or Europe. 

Download/Listen: Steve Walsh report (:60 MP3)

Filed Under: Business

Seattle shut outs the Rams

September 13, 2009 By

Despite forcing three turnovers in the first four Seattle possessions, the Rams were unable to make the Seahawks pay for their mistakes as the Rams drop their season opener 28-0 in Seattle.  Matt Hasselback threw for three touchdowns.

It was just an odd game.  Trailing 7-0, Seattle lined up for a field goal attempt and the Rams blocked it with James Butler scooping the ball up and taking it back the other way for six.  However, the play was looked at in the booth and it was determined the Rams had 12 players on for the attempt.  That penalty gave Seattle a first down and the Seahawks turned it into a touchdown to go up 14-0.

The Rams offense was held to just 77 yards of rushing and Steven Jackson was limited to 67 on 16 carries.   The Seahawks almost had more than that on one run.  In the fourth quarter, Seattle added their fourth touchdown when running back Julius Jones went 62 yards virtually untouched.  He finished with 117 yards.


Marc Bulger was 17 of 36 for 191 yards. 

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Cards swept by Braves

September 13, 2009 By

A six run third inning was more than enough for the Braves to pull off the weekend sweep of the Cardinals in St. Louis.  9-2 was the final Sunday afternoon.  Chris Carpenter gave up seven runs on nine hits in six innings for the loss.  Carpenter is now 16-4, with his first loss in 12 decisions.

More coming.

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Chiefs lose in 4th quarter

September 13, 2009 By

New season, same old results.  Once again the Chiefs lost a game in the fourth quarter after battling their way back to tie not only take the lead in the second half, but tie the game twice.  Joe Flacco’s 31 yard touchdown pass with just over two minutes to play and a late Willis McGahee touchdown gave the Baltimore Ravens a 38-24 win over Kansas City.

Ryan Succop’s 53 yard field goal in the fourth quarter tied the game at 17 and Brodie Croyle led the Chiefs on a six play, 80 yard drive capped by a 10 yard touchdown pass to tight end Sean Ryan tied the game at 24-24, but Baltimore was able to move down the field in 8 plays for a total of 74 yards for the decisive touchdown.

The Chiefs were just awful in the first half offensively as the trend from the preseason continued.  Kansas City managed just one first down and that came at the two minute warning.  Before Croyle’s 11 yard pass to Bobby Engram, the Chiefs had accumulated 14 total yards.

Baltimore found ways to keep the Chiefs in the game.  Up 10-0, the Chiefs blocked a punt and recovered it in the end zone to make it 10-7.  In the second half, Derrick Johnson, who lost his starting job at linebacker, intercepted a Flacco pass and took it down to the Ravens six as he sprinted down the sideline.

Three plays later, Croyle found Dwayne Bowe for a two yard pass and the Chiefs were up 14-10 with 59 yards of offense.  Flacco came right back to drive Baltimore down for a nine yard pass to tight end Todd Heap and the Ravens were back on top. 

I have to give some credit to the Chiefs offense for finally putting some drives together especially late in this game to tie the game up twice.  However, the defense which really played tough all game and kept the Chiefs in it early on, let Flacco and McGahee cruise down the field late in the game.

Down by seven, Croyle was sacked and was ruled to have fumbled the ball, but the call was overturned.  Deep in their own territory, Croyle threw three more incomplete passes and Baltimore took  over inside the 15 and ran the clock out and scored with seconds remaining on a fourth and goal from the one.

Croyle finished 16 of 24 for 177 yards and two touchdowns and despite facing a lot of pressure, he never turned the ball over.  This was a game that clearly looked like Baltimore dominated from the beginning, but it just goes to show how special teams and turnovers play such a big part in changing the complex of a game.

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