Gov. Jay Nixon praises job creation, economic development in St. Peters

Missouri Governor Jay Nixon visited Zoltek Corporation’s new facility in St. Peters on last week, announcing that the manufacturer of carbon fiber material is expanding its operations and plans to create 155 new jobs.

Zoltek Corp, which already has two locations in St. Charles County, is making a capital investment of $15 million, locating its new research, development and manufacturing facility in St. Peters.

“Missouri’s manufacturing sector continues to move our economy in the right direction, and this $15 million local investment by Zoltek is another example of that positive momentum,” Nixon said. “My administration will continue to work every day to hold the line on taxes and give businesses the tools they need to create jobs and grow our economy.”

Nixon cited several indicators that Missouri’s economy is moving forward. He said the Missouri Department of Economic Development reported recently that the state’s unemployment rate for the month of June dropped to a 42-month low of 7.1 percent, more than one point lower than the national unemployment rate.

CNN-Money rated Missouri as the nation’s sixth best state for new business start-ups in its “10 Most Entrepreneurial States for 2011,” Nixon said.

St. Peters Mayor Len Pagano said he was pleased to see continued expansion of Zoltek’s facilities, and said he was glad that the expansion could be facilitated.

“Here is another example of Governor Nixon’s leadership in bringing jobs to our state,” Pagano said. “I’m proud that Zoltek chose to locate its newest facility in St. Peters.”