<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/1/1578582993267.jpeg" alt="Missouri Economic Development Dir. Rob Dixon at a recent St. Joseph meeting/Photo by Brent Martin" />
 <figcaption>Missouri Economic Development Dir. Rob Dixon at a recent St. Joseph meeting/Photo by Brent Martin</figcaption>
 </figure>By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostMissouri Economic Development Director Rob Dixon says he hopes
state legislators will continue to work on the building blocks of economic development
this legislative session.Dixon says the administration of Gov. Mike Parson and the
legislature has worked together to make Missouri an attractive place for
business.“We have attracted companies from across the world. We’ve helped
our existing businesses grow. There have been 35,000 jobs added in our economy
over the last year alone. Our unemployment rate continues to be lower than the
national average. Our state’s economy is doing really well right now,” Dixon
tells reporters. “Why that matters is it provides opportunities for citizens to
earn for their families and to get good paying jobs and frankly we have the
tools available to help those folks get into those opportunities.”Dixon says Missouri is moving in the right direction and he
hopes this year’s legislative session will keep it going. And Dixon says local
Chambers of Commerce play a role as well.“I think right now things are looking really well. Things are
in the right direction. We’re moving forward. We’re investing in the right
things and we’re safeguarding the taxpayers’ dollars. I’m really proud of it,”
Dixon says. “A lot of the work we do in Jefferson City is done hand-in-hand
with the community partners here in St. Joe. We work very closely with the Chamber
here and proud to do that.”A huge win for the Parson Administration last legislative session
was passage of a $50 million incentive plan for General Motors seen as vital to
the expansion of the GM Wentzville plant just outside St. Louis.

MO Economic Development Dir. wants to keep momentum going