By Matt Sepic, KWMU
Hazelwood, Mo. – Wednesday Missouri Governor Bob Holden signed a bill he hopes will keep the Hazelwood Ford Plant open.
The bipartisan legislation offers job training and other incentives aimed at keeping 2,600 Ford jobs at the St. Louis County plant.
Holden says Ford has built vehicles in Missouri for most of its 100-year history, and should continue that tradition.
"A key ingredient in our plan of attack is the retargeting of state incentive programs so that we produce good quality jobs already here, help them stay here in Missouri, and make sure we're investing in Missouri workers that are here today."
The Hazelwood Plant produces three SUV models. Ford plans to close the facility by mid-decade to eliminate excess production capacity.