Sen. Frank Barnitz discussed small business and economic growth in Missouri as the keynote speaker for the St. James Chamber of Commerce's 2009 Annual Dinner and awards ceremony at Matt's Steakhouse on Jan. 22.
Guest speaker of the evening was Dr. Brad Frazier, chair of the St. James Enhanced Enterprise Zone board.
Frazier outlined the benefits of an EEZ.
He said the minimum abatement for a qualified business in the EEZ was 50 percent for 10 years and the maximum was 90 percent for 20 years. An incentive matrix was installed to prevent favoritism, Frazier said.
After Frazier spoke, Barnitz was introduced.
Barnitz first noted he was recently appointed to the Missouri Veterans' Commission, which oversees the seven Missouri veterans’ homes, cemeteries and programs.
Barnitz then noted the small businesses and economy of Missouri.
“Ninety-seven percent of Missouri businesses qualify as small firms and there are 450,000 small businesses in Missouri,” he said. “The ability for growth is doing very well.”
Barnitz said in 2010 the state is looking at job retention and job growth for existing businesses.
“The Missouri First program is for businesses that have just started and to help them move up in the ladder for incentives,” Barnitz said.
He explained the Missouri Science and Invention Reinvestment Act, which is specifically for businesses in science and technology.
“There is a pool fund they can use and we have a lot of hopes for that, especially in Phelps County with the university and tech park in Rolla,” he said.
Barnitz said a program was created to assist the mass numbers of people laid off called Training for Tomorrow.
Barnitz said work is being done to maintain tuition rates in the state as well.
Finally, Barnitz noted transportation needs including work on Highway 63 from Rolla to Jefferson City and Highway 50.
Barnitz noted that once the stretch of highway was improved, it would create a north to south corridor. This corridor, when added to I-44, Missouri S&T, Fort Leonard Wood and small communities, would make a hub for the area.
St. James, Mo. —
