Missouri Gov. Nixon Visits Hannibal Manufacturing Plant [Audio] [Photo Gallery]

(Hannibal)—Economic development requires workforce development, according to Missouri Governor Jay Nixon.

Nixon toured Buckhorn Rubber Products in Hannibal Wednesday. He says Buckhorn is a great example of advanced manufacturing, "Since 1977, Buckhorn Rubber Products has called Missouri home. You all design and manufacture equipment and replacement parts for the automotive an agriculture industries, as well as serving costumers in the marine, construction and water works industries. This is advanced manufacturing, getting better each and every day. Understanding that the workforce that works here has to compete with people all around the world...exactly the kind of companies we want to see in the Show-Me State, and the ones that we want to help grow and succeed."

Nixon says his new jobs program, Missouri Works, will help Buckhorn maintain a highly trained workforce to compete in a global economy, "Missouri Works Training, in partnership with Linn State Technical Colllege, is making resources available to help the company continue to train about 180 employees, and support recent and upcoming capital investments totaling over $1 million."

Buckhorn plans to utilize $20,000 in training funds for Fiscal Year 2014. So far, 370 companies are approved for Missouri Works funds to help train nearly 36,000 workers.

Governor Nixon says Missouri Works utilized recommendations from 600 business, education, and labor leaders from all across Missouri to develop a comprehensive strategy to transform the state's economy.