When Ford announced a $1.1-billion investment in the Claycomo plant, the most noted element was that it would bring 1,600 new workers AND retain approximately 3,800 there now. In conservative figures, that means an uptick in local payroll of about $100 million a year.

Equally dramatic, that doesn’t count the additional payroll from suppliers, transportation contracts and other businesses that retool or move here as a result of the Ford development. Although even Ford cannot estimate that construction, this supplier growth could ultimately be almost as large as the Ford investment spread throughout Missouri and even Kansas.

In other words, the Clay County investment will bring millions more to the region, providing a boost to the economy that will be both large and long lasting.

The core of the development is the commercial Transit van, which will replace the Escape line slated to end production here in early 2012. The van has for years been an industry leader in Europe and is expected to have strong sales in the U.S.

Locally, even the immediate impact spread beyond Claycomo. A $110-million sheet-metal stamping plant that will create 250 jobs is to be located in Liberty. It could jump-start development along South Liberty Parkway, where the 500,000-square-foot facility will be located.

The area’s Ford workers played a significant role in the story. The initial investment was tied to contract ratification by UAW Ford members nationwide. Early voting in some locations was lukewarm, but after local members bolstered the deal with a 90-percent approval, the nationwide acceptance was nearly two out of three.

Another major factor was the EDC's efforts as far back as two years ago to form the 20/20 Ford Task Force. The group helped develop the Missouri Jobs Act which was a key factor in the local development. To see a timeline of the Task Force efforts, see this article.