Map of the location of the old Chrysler plants in Fenton. (via Google Maps)
Legislators from St. Louis County have filed bills aimed at bringing jobs back to the site of the oldChryslerplantsin Fenton.
The bills filed today apply to new and existing businesses located within one mile of the old plants.
They would create a so-called "Enhanced Enterprise Zone" providing state tax credits for each new job created.
State Senator Eric Schmitt says the state has nothing to lose by providing the incentives:
"No one is paying taxes there right now and so the idea is, and I think there is broad bipartisan support for the idea that, if you're going to bring jobs to the area, we're going to allow you to keep those withholding taxes that would normally be forked over to Jefferson City so that you invest in St. Louis County."
Both plants are slated for demolition. As of now there are no plans for the 295-acre site.
Fenton Mayor Dennis Hancock says the site could be adapted to a mixture of light-manufacturing, assembly, even retail:
"It's been a heavy industrial site for 50 years and unfortunately those jobs are gone. I think looking ahead we have to look at what the future economy looks like as best we can and do what we can to be ready for whatever possibility comes down the road at us."
At one point Chrysler employed up to 8,000 workers at the two Fenton Plants.