JEFFERSON CITY – Gov. Jay Nixon joined the Missouri Department of Economic Development (DED) to recognize outstanding individual and group successes at the 2012 Governor’s Conference on Economic Development in St. Louis, Sept. 5-7.
Keiper, LLC, Eldon, was the recipient of the Governor’s Innovative Industry Training Award, which recognizes a business or group of businesses that demonstrate outstanding accomplishments, resulting in a positive impact on the community, the workforce and/or the company’s success through involvement in industry training and education.
Donna Deetz, Jefferson City, was presented with the Missouri Women’s Council Award of Distinction for revitalizing small businesses as well as educating and uplifting women to reach their full potential. Deetz, who owns three small businesses in Jefferson City, also serves as the vice president of the Downtown Jefferson City Association, is on the board of the Eastside Business Association and is the incoming vice president of the Zonta International Chapter in Jefferson City. She is an educational consultant for a variety of women-based organizations and has mentored recipients of the Second Chance Scholarship and past Women of Achievement honorees.
Joplin Tornado Workforce Recovery, Joplin, was the recipient of the Governor’s E3 Award, a Workforce Development award for excellence in education, economic development and employment. The award is given from the Missouri Workforce Development system to an organization that represents innovation and leadership in education, economic development and employment. Following one of the most devastating tornados in U.S. history, the integrated workforce, economic development and education partnership rose to the challenge, recruiting, training and employing more than 1,200 displaced workers in temporary disaster recovery jobs. Activities included disaster cleanup, along with placements in humanitarian groups to directly serve tornado victims.
Rob O’Brian, Joplin Area Chamber of Commerce, Joplin, was the recipient of the Governor’s Career Service in Economic Development Award for creating partnerships and paving the way for enhanced growth and prosperity in the Joplin region since 1995. After the devastating tornado in May 2011, O’Brian brought together both business and government to rebuild Joplin’s economy. Today, 85 percent of Joplin businesses destroyed by the tornado have re-opened their doors, and another 30 new employers have taken root in Joplin.
The city of Mexico received All-Missouri Certified City designation under the Missouri Community Assessment and Planning Process (MoCAPP).
Starline Brass, Sedalia, was the recipient of the Governor’s Minority or Women-Owned Small Business of the Year Award. The award is presented to a minority or women-owned business that has demonstrated outstanding success by contributions made to communities and the economy. Accepting the award at the conference for Starline Brass were owner Barbara Hayden and her husband Robert.
John M. Haake, president of Titanova, Inc., St. Charles, was presented with the Governor’s Entrepreneur of the Year Award. The award is presented to a principal with an entrepreneurial company who has demonstrated significant leadership in launching a new business, creating private sector employment opportunities through an innovative business concept, or developing a new technology or adopting/applying an innovative manufacturing process. For 24 years Haake has utilized the skills and experience to develop, implement and continually adapt a high technology-based business plan to move his company into new applications and new markets.
The Governor’s Award for Excellence in Affordable Housing, presented for dedication to the cause of affordable housing and tireless work to meet the housing needs of the people of Missouri, was presented to Steve Campbell, executive director, Peter and Paul Community Services, St. Louis. Campbell has served as executive director at Peter and Paul for the past 25 years. His expertise in homeless issues and knowledge of community resources has positioned the agency to be a leader in the St. Louis region among homeless service providers.
The Governor’s Community/Redevelopment Award was presented to the Ozark Small Business Incubator, West Plains, for its promotion of the redevelopment of downtown West Plains and creating new businesses to grow the area’s economy. The award recognizes the best example of a community/redevelopment project that demonstrates a significant impact on a neighborhood or community.
Ford Motor Company Claycomo and General Motors Wentzville were named the recipients of the Governor’s Business Project of the Year. Ford received the award for the $1.1 billion expansion at its Kansas City plant. The expansion will result in the creation of 1,600 new manufacturing jobs and includes construction of a new body shop, new tooling in the final assembly area, an upgraded paint shop and an all-new integrated stamping plant.
The Governor’s Award will be presented to Ford in a special ceremony in Kansas City on September 18. General Motors was honored for its $380 million expansion project at the Wentzville Assembly plant which will result in the creation of more than 1,600 new jobs.
The project includes investing to upgrade and significantly expand the plant; bringing production of the completely redesigned Chevrolet Colorado mid-size pickup to the plant; creating approximately 1,260 new production jobs; and adding a second shift of about 400 workers.
