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Ford to expand Claycomo plant near Kansas City, keep jobs there

Mo. Gov. Jay Nixon (R), on Jan. 18, 2010, discusses the agreement that states the Ford Motor Company will invest hundreds of millions of dollars over the next two years to produce a new line of vehicles at its Claycomo, Mo. plant. (UPI/Bill Greenblatt)
Mo. Gov. Jay Nixon (R), on Jan. 18, 2010, discusses the agreement that states the Ford Motor Company will invest hundreds of millions of dollars over the next two years to produce a new line of vehicles at its Claycomo, Mo. plant. (UPI/Bill Greenblatt)

A report by Dan Verbeck, KCUR

Workers at the Ford plant in suburban Kansas City received good news today from the automaker and Missouri's governor.

The number of full-time jobs will hold steady and the plant will make a $400 million expansion with help from the state.

Ensuring jobs, there will be a new vehicle made at Claycomo, although the company will say neither what it will be nor when production will start. The F-Series truck will still be made there.

Ford pledges to keep full-time jobs for 3,750 men and women.

Ford had considered closing the factory until Missouri offered expansion incentives, designed with Ford in mind.

Ford Executive Ziad Ojackli signed the agreement with the Missouri Department of Economic Development.

"The State of Missouri-approved tax incentives played a very important role in Ford’s decision and the company's commitment to this investment," Ojackli said.

While it's not clear when the plant will start expanding, it won't begin until the current  SUV Escape model line is moved to a plant in Louisville, Ky.