Senate Committee Investigates Kirksville Company
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Senate Committee Investigates Kirksville Company

Date: October 6, 2011
By: Jessi Turnure
State Capitol Bureau

Intro: 
One Republican senator says in light of Mamtek, there has been a renewed focus on Wi-Fi Sensors.
RunTime:  0:47
OutCue:  SOC

Wrap: As the Economic Development Department began its investigation on Wi-Fi Sensors today, Senator Jim Lembke says the senate committee will take as much time as it needs to receive and sift through documentation.

More than two years ago, Wi-Fi Sensors received a one-million dollar Community Development Block Grant loan with a promise to employ 40 people immediately.

Senator Lembke says the doors have been shut; the company has defaulted on all loan payments and hasn't created a single job.

Democratic Senator Joseph Keaveny is concerned the committee's work might create a "chilling effect" on efforts to attract other projects in the state but Lembke says:

Actuality:  WIFI4.WAV
Run Time:  00:06
Description: "I come down on the side of protecting the taxpayers and the taxpayer's money and making sure we're being good stewards of that money."
 
Reporting from the state Capitol I'm Jessi Turnure.
 

Intro: 
Today marks the first day of the Economic Development Department's investigation of Wi-Fi Sensors.
RunTime:  0:43
OutCue:  SOC

Wrap: Democratic Senator Joseph Keaveny says there's a lot of competition for these start-up firms among many municipalities and it is not unusual for these types of businesses to fail.

Keaveny says Wi-Fi Sensors is currently failing because the company was relying on defense department contracts.

However, Keaveny says: 

Actuality:  WIFI5.WAV
Run Time:  00:05
Description: "These are pretty tough economic times. Obviously, we would like them all to succeed but that's just not reality."

Since the debt ceiling keeps Washington at an almost standstill, the company also remains unable to move forward.    

Actuality:  WIFI6.WAV
Run Time:  00:10
Description: "I would be reluctant to write this off. I think there's still hope for it. It's just getting the timing of the thing. It's pretty hard to get anything through Washington right now and I think this is indicative of the climate that we're going through."

Reporting from the state Capitol I'm Jessi Turnure.