Ford, apparently, will be taking Missouri up on its offer for tax breaks to bring new production to the Claycomo plant in Kansas City. A spokesman for Ford will not say what line will be coming to Missouri, but will only confirm that a new vehicle will be built at Claycomo to replace the Escape SUV, which will now be built in Louisville, Kentucky.
Ford builds the F-150 pick-up at Claycomo. The move of the Escape placed in jeopardy a portion of the 4,000-person workforce. State lawmakers approved tax break incentives during a special legislative session to keep Claycomo at full production.
Ford will invest $600 million in its Louisville plant to build the next-generation Escape. It plans to hire 1,800 more workers there.
Gov. Nixon’s office released the following statement on Ford’s announcement:
We have been working closely with senior Ford officials for months to make sure the vehicles of the future are manufactured at the Claycomo plant, and it’s clear that our hard work will pay real dividends for Kansas City and suppliers in communities across Missouri. We look forward to putting the finishing touches on this agreement in the coming weeks. Automotive manufacturing has a bright future in the Show-Me State.
