FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, Dec. 2, 2005
Contact: Spence Jackson at (573)-751-0290 or Paul Sloca at (573)-751-9065
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Blunt, Steinhoff Statement on Ford Hazelwood
Gov. Matt Blunt and Department of Economic Development Director Greg
Steinhoff today issued the following statement on today's Wall Street
Journal report indicating Ford Motor Co. plans to close its plant in
Hazelwood:
"We have been in discussions with Ford over the last several months about
the future of the Ford Hazelwood plant and we are committed to keeping the
facility open. Earlier this year, we visited with Ford officials in Detroit
seeking to discuss our willingness to play an important role in the
company's future. While we understand that these are difficult times for the
auto industry and are aware of Ford's previous decisions regarding the
Hazelwood facility, we will continue working with company and local
officials on behalf of Ford employees in Missouri. Our state has created
more than 27,000 new jobs this year and companies like General Motors,
Express Scripts and T-Mobile have reinvested in Missouri's working families
because of our new direction for creating jobs and enhancing opportunity for
all. For those reasons, we believe Missouri has much to offer our longtime
partners at Ford and it is in that spirit that we will continue to work with
the company in the days and weeks ahead."
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