Ford Motor Co. and Governor Jay Nixon Announce Historic $1.1 Billion Investment

By Gabriel Circiog, Associate Editor

Missouri Governor Jay Nixon, senior executives from Ford Motor Co., and leaders of the United Auto Workers have announced a historic $1.1 billion investment in the Claycomo facility. Governor Nixon hailed the investment as the rebirth of the American auto industry. The investment will add 1,600 new jobs over the next four years and will raise the total workforce at the Claycomo plant to around 5,400. A second shift will be added for the production of the F-150 and an integrated stamping facility will be built to support production at the plant.

Making its debut will be the production of the full-size Transit van in the United States. The model was build and sold only in Europe up to now. Ford is taking advantage of the Missouri Manufacturing Jobs Act which offers strategic incentives and was signed by Governor Nixon last year.

There is also good news on the multifamily real estate front as The Kansas City Star reports the completion of the Beacon Park development. Michaels Development Co. was chosen by the Kansas City Housing Authority to develop the project in 2009. The Paseo Baptist Church and the Beacon Hill neighborhood association participated in the design process.

The project combines public housing units, which will be supported by low-income housing tax credits and market-rate units. The 45 units, which are spread over nine buildings, will house around 105 residents.