Ford pledges $400 million to Kansas City-area plant

Intro:	Ford says it's bringing a new vehicle to its Kansas City-area plant, something Missouri's governor says will retain jobs across the Show-Me State.
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Wrap: Governor Jay Nixon says tens of thousands of jobs were at stake at auto suppliers across Missouri.

He says tax breaks passed this summer to keep Ford here were key.

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Description: "As Ford made decisions about where to locate its next-generation production lines, Missouri was in stiff competition with other plants and other states. But our hard work and early efforts paid off."

Nixon says Ford will retain more than 3,700 jobs in Kansas City.

The company could eventually get $100 million from Missouri taxpayers for its decision.

It isn't saying anything about what kind of vehicle it'll roll off the assembly line in Kansas City.

From the state Capitol, I'm Theo Keith, Newsradio 1120 KMOX.

Intro:	One Missouri senator who voted against tax breaks for Ford says the company's announcement to keep jobs in Missouri doesn't change his mind.
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Wrap: Republican Senator Jason Crowell of the Cape says he still wouldn't have voted for the tax breaks.

Ford could eventually get $100 million from Missouri taxpayers.

That's if the company keeps its pledge to retain more than 3,700 jobs near Kansas City.

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Description: "It's one thing to stand in front of a bunch of reporters and say that you're gonna do something, and it's another thing to actually do it. I stand by and will always stand by that I think the redistribution and abuses associated with tax credits need to end."

Ford has so far been the only manufacturer to apply for the tax breaks.

Governor Jay Nixon called the legislature into a special session last summer to approve them.

From the state Capitol, I'm Theo Keith, NewsRadio 1120 KMOX.

Intro:	A Ford executive says tax breaks Missouri lawmakers passed last summer played a part in keeping the company in the state.
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Wrap: Ford says it'll invest $400 million in its Kansas City-area plant to bring a new vehicle there.

The company's Manufacturing Director, Stephen Lewis, credits lawmakers for passing tax breaks, which will net Ford up to $100 million in taxpayer money.

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Description: "The state of Missouri-approved tax incentives played a very important role in Ford's decision and the company's commitment to this level of investment and job retention."

Lewis declined to say when production of the new vehicle would begin, or even what it would be.

A Ford spokeswoman says the company will keep making the Escape SUV in Kansas City for another year.

From the state Capitol, I'm Theo Keith, NewsRadio 1120 KMOX.