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Kansas City News Today Kansas City Front Page is a weekly news publication, with daily updates, spotlighting attractions, events, business and hospitality in Kansas City. |
KANSAS CITY NEWS TODAY - Sunday, March 29, 2009  Zero-Emission Trucks to Be Assembled in Kansas City KANSAS CITY, MO, (kansascityfrontpage.com), March 29, 2009 - Gov. Jay Nixon today joined leaders from the Smith Electric Vehicle U.S. Corporation to announce that the company's next generation of all-electric, zero-emission trucks will be built in Kansas City. By 2010, Smith Electric Vehicles plans to create 120 new automotive jobs in Kansas City with an average annual starting salary of $44,236 and health care benefits for employees. The company's total initial investment in the Kansas City metropolitan area amounts to about $10 million through the creation of the new jobs, the construction of the 80,000-square-foot manufacturing facility and the leasing of 8,600 square feet of office space in the Ambassador Building near Kansas City International Airport. The production facilities will be designed to be easily expanded as demand for these next-generation vehicles increases. "During these difficult economic times, too many Missourians are out of work, and too many good-paying jobs are moving overseas," Gov. Nixon said. "But today's announcement is great news for the people of Missouri and our economic future. With our highly skilled workforce, central location and abundant resources, Missouri is a natural choice for companies to manufacture the next generation of high-tech, energy efficient vehicles." Gov Nixon stated, "As production of these cutting-edge vehicle lines ramps up, I will continue to fight to ensure that the Show-Me State becomes a hub for the production of next-generation automobiles. By working together, we will make Missouri the global leader in producing next-generation vehicles, create high-tech jobs for our workers and transform our economy for the 21st century." One reason Smith Electric Vehicles chose to locate this new production facility in Missouri was the competitive incentive package Gov. Nixon's Department of Economic Development was able to offer the company. Under an agreement with the Department, SEV agreed to create 120 new jobs in Kansas City that paid above the county average wage and provided health care benefits for employees; the company must create these jobs by 2010. In exchange, the Department has offered the company $2.1 million in state tax incentives under Missouri's successful Quality Jobs Program. None of these credits are awarded until the company creates the new jobs and hires employees. Expanding the resources of the Quality Jobs Program is a centerpiece of Gov. Nixon's Show-Me Jobs Initiative, a bipartisan plan to jumpstart the state's economy and get Missourians back to work. Weeks ago, the Missouri House of Representatives passed this urgent job-creation bill by a strong, bipartisan vote. Since then, however, the bill has been obstructed in the State Senate. Gov. Nixon today renewed his call for the Senate to take swift action to pass the jobs bill. "When it comes to getting Missourians back to work and transforming our economy, we simply don't have time to lose," Gov. Nixon said. "I thank the members of the Missouri House for reaching across party lines to pass the jobs bill with an overwhelming vote, and I renew my call for the State Senate to do so as well. It's vital that we come together to create the tools that will attract additional investment to the state and create even more high-tech, high-paying jobs. We cannot afford further delay." Consumers Warned About Acai Berry Products Scam KANSAS CITY, MO, (kansascityfrontpage.com), March 29, 2009 - Attorney General Chris Koster is alerting consumers to beware of internet businesses advertising free trial offers for Acai berry products and other nutritional supplements. Koster warns that responding to these "free" offers on the internet poses a substantial risk of excessive charges. Companies entice consumers by offering a 14-day free trial of the product. According to the offer, unless you notify the company that you do not want to continue to receive the product, and return it during the trial period, it will automatically be sent and charged to you. Consumers are complaining that companies are impossible to contact for a cancellation both during and after the trial period, and their credit cards are automatically charged for an additional month's supply that can cost $80 or more. "Most of the benefits from these free supplement offers go to the scam artists in the form of healthy incomes at the expense of unsuspecting shoppers," Koster said. "Free offers are a common tactic used by unscrupulous businesses, and should send up a red flag to consumers." To date, the Attorney General's Office has received more than 100 complaints concerning the deceptive tactics being used by companies marketing the Acai berry products on-line. Consumers can report fraud at Koster's Consumer Protection Hotline, 1-800-8222. Obama Budget Proposes Direct College Aid for 5,186 More Students in Missouri KANSAS CITY, MO, (PRNewswire), March 29, 2009 - An additional 5,186 students in Missouri would receive Pell Grants if excessive lender subsidies are cut, according to a new report released today by the Campaign for America's Future. Today's report shows that this simple change would provide an average Pell Grant of $3,314 to about 107,960 students across the state. With the average cost of tuition at a public college in Missouri increasing by 30 percent between 2000 and 2007 and up 5 percent in the last year alone, President Obama's budget calls for a cut in lender subsidies to make the financial aid system more efficient. Campaign for America's Future co-director Robert Borosage said the president's budget proposals would make major changes to the federal financial aid system so more families can pay for college. "Family incomes and college grants haven't kept pace with soaring tuition costs," said Borosage. "No student should be priced out of the college they need to succeed in the modern economy. With more and more high school graduates putting off higher education because they can't afford it, the president's budget would help provide the change students and families need." The college affordability proposals in the president's budget would increase and expand Pell Grants and Perkins loans, make the American Opportunity Tax Credit permanent, broaden the U.S. Department of Education Direct Loan program, phase out bank loan subsidies and create state and federal partnerships to help students complete their college education.   The Kansas City Front Page is owned and maintained by the Moore Design Group for the sole purpose of disseminating news and information about the Metropolitan Kansas City area. Text or graphics may not be copied, rewritten or distributed in any manner whatsoever without written permission. For more information, contact editor@slfp.com All rights reserved world wide © 2007 - 2009 Moore Design Group. |
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