Gov. Matt Blunt met with Harman Becker officials today to help strengthen the company’s relationship with the Show-Me State.  In 2005, Gov. Blunt was on hand when the company broke ground for their new Missouri plant.

“Harman Becker’s presence in Missouri has invested $46 million in our economy and supported some 270 new jobs.  Clearly building strong business relationships with international partners like Harman Becker is critical to attracting good, family supporting jobs to Missouri,” Gov. Blunt said. “I am confident the ongoing economic growth which we have helped achieve with our international partners will continue to benefit Missouri entrepreneurs, and most importantly, the workers of our state.”

 

Recently Harman Becker chose Washington, Missouri, as one of the company’s newest U.S. locations.  The plant has the potential to support nearly 500 jobs.  Harman Becker is looking to expand their operations in the United States and Gov. Blunt is encouraging the company to strongly consider growth at the Missouri facility.

 

Harman Becker Automotive Systems Manufacturing is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Franklin, Kentucky-based Harm International Industries Inc. The company manufactures navigation and digitally integrated “infotainment” systems primarily for the automotive industry, including world-renown names JBL, Infinity, Harman/Kardon, Mark Levinson and Becker.

Gov. Blunt has made rejuvenating the state’s once-stagnate economy a top priority.  This month the governor signed legislation containing several major provisions to build on strong economic growth and development in Missouri. The legislation increases the annual cap on the governor’s successful Quality Jobs Tax Credit Program from $40 million to $60 million.  The program has helped create nearly 22,000 new jobs and retain 2,379 others that pay above the average county wage where they are located and that provide health care benefits for employees.  Among other things, the legislation also increases the amount of tax credits the Missouri Department of Economic Development may authorize for the Enhanced Enterprise Zone Program from $14 million to $24 million.

Economic development legislation passed this year builds on the unparalleled reforms enacted under Gov. Blunt’s leadership.  Comprehensive litigation reform enacted under Gov. Blunt’s leadership drove the state to a ten spot jump in a leading national watch group’s ranking.  The state’s jump in rank is indicative of the many success stories resulting from Gov. Blunt’s pro-family, pro-jobs initiatives.

In addition, Gov. Blunt’s workers’ compensation reform measures enacted in 2005 are helping to decrease workers’ compensation rates in the state.  The law restored fairness to Missouri’s workers’ compensation system by protecting rights of injured workers without threatening Missouri jobs. 

The meeting is part of a trade mission focused on showcasing Missouri’s outstanding business opportunities to a world market. The Hawthorn Foundation, a nonprofit, nonpartisan statewide organization formed to assist both public and private efforts in promoting Missouri’s economic development initiatives is sponsoring the trade mission.

  

Office of the Governor, State of Missouri
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Contact: Jessica Robinson, 573-751-0290