KIRKSVILLE, MO. -- Ford Motor Company is considering relocating its factory in suburban Kansas City.  Ford manufactures Trucks and SUVs as its Claycomo factory.  Moving out of Missouri could mean a loss of as much as 5000 jobs.  Not only would this affect the factory in Claycomo, but other smaller manufacturing plants across the state could be impacted as well.

“We’re in an environment where states kind of compete for these kinds of jobs and if there are other states that are dangling a carrot of a better deal out in front of Ford, Ford Motor Company has to consider those,” said State Representative Rebecca McClanahan.

Governor Jay Nixon is considering calling a special session on tax incentives that could benefit the plant if they stay in Missouri. 

Some senators say they won’t support that bill unless the state can afford the tax breaks.  The governor suggested making changes to the retirement program for state workers.  Some lawmakers say they don’t support that.

“Requiring state workers to pay an additional portion is an additional burden on state workers that are already strapped that we’re not giving them raises, their pay is not on parody where it should be and so I have a lot of concerns about that,” said McClanahan.

McClanahan says Missouri state workers are some of the lowest paid in the nation.  She says unless changes are made to the proposal, she won’t support it.

“Rather than Ford saying 'state of Missouri, if you don't give us this, we're leaving,' I'd really like to put the state of Missouri in the drivers seat and we could say 'Ford Motor Company, we'll give you these incentives if you'll agree to stay,'” said McClanahan.
    
McClanahan says these tax incentives are not upfront incentives rather earning tax credits.
    
That means ford would create jobs, create a tax burden, and then receive a tax break.

The special session could begin as early as June 28th.