Well-paying manufacturing jobs have been leaving our district, our state, and our nation for far too long. Too many hard-working Missourians are suffering from the loss of jobs in the manufacturing industry. Today, fewer than 11,000 manufacturing jobs remain in our district, and the realities are becoming more serious as companies like Kraft Foods look to leave our state in search of greener pastures. Something must be done to revitalize the manufacturing industry in our district and statewide. We need more jobs to help support the hard-working families of northeast Missouri.

In response to these circumstances, I have introduced Senate Bill 284, the Manufacturing and Infrastructure Investment Act. This act would allow suppliers and manufacturers in Missouri to retain withholding taxes for a number of years as long as they create well-paying jobs in Missouri or invest in their business operations while retaining jobs. Additionally, employers who claim these incentives and knowingly employ people who are not allowed to work in the United States would be required to pay all retaining withholding taxes to the state.

Qualified manufacturers would be required to make a capital investment of at least $75,000 per full-time employee, within two years of the company beginning to retain withholding taxes. These employers would be allowed to retain up to 100 percent of their withholding taxes for a period of up to 10 years. Manufacturers who wish to modify or expand their current operations would be allowed to retain 50 percent of their withholding taxes for up to seven years, if they make a capital investment of at least $50,000 per full-time employee. In order for suppliers to qualify for the program, they must derive more than 10 percent of their annual income from sales to a qualified manufacturer. Suppliers must also add five or more new jobs, pay wages greater than the county average wage (and not less than 60 percent of the statewide average wage), and pay 50 percent of their employees’ health insurance premiums.

This bill would implement actions that are essential for expanding Missouri’s existing manufacturing industry and provide incentives for manufacturers looking to bring more jobs to Missouri. I have sponsored the Manufacturing Infrastructure Investment Act because it promises to provide these incentives to bring more manufacturing jobs to hard-working Missourians, while also encouraging employers to compensate workers fairly for their efforts.

As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact my office. Thank you.