During a visit to a local small business this morning (Tues., Jan. 6) , Gov.-elect Jay Nixon announced his intention to appoint Linda M. Martínez of St. Louis to the position of Director of the Missouri Department of Economic Development.
In this position, Ms. Martínez will work closely with Gov.-elect Nixon to implement his bipartisan Show Me JOBS plan, which focuses on creating new jobs, supporting small-business growth and training Missourians for the jobs of the future.
Throughout her 26-year career as an adviser to businesses and organizations, Ms. Martínez worked extensively on transactions involving project finance and issues relating to tax credits, tax-exempt financing, bonds and other economic-development tools. Among other organizations, Ms. Martínez has represented businesses in their expansion activities, housing developments, health-care and non-profit institutions, arenas, hotels, airports and retail establishments.
“During these difficult economic times, we must do everything we can to support small businesses and help them create new jobs,” Gov.-elect Nixon said. “After years of working closely with businesses of all sizes, Linda Martínez understands the challenges entrepreneurs face, and she is ready to lead the fight to keep and create jobs here in Missouri. With her extensive experience in tax credits, bonds and financial strategy, Linda knows the economic-development system inside and out. She will make an excellent Director of Economic Development, and I’m proud to have her on my team.”
“As the national economic crisis continues, we must take bold steps to create and retain good-paying jobs here in Missouri and make sure our workers are ready to take on the jobs of tomorrow,” Ms. Martínez said. “Gov.-elect Nixon’s innovative Show Me JOBS plan will provide small-business owners the tools they need to expand their operations, train their workers and develop new jobs. By focusing our efforts on small-business growth and job-creation, Missouri won’t just survive the national economic crisis; we’ll also make our state stronger in the long run. Creating new jobs will be the Department’s top priority, and we will work quickly to get the Show Me JOBS plan up and running.”
Ms. Martínez, 54, has been a member of the Bryan Cave law firm in St. Louis since 1982, specializing her practice in financial and development transactions. Her clients and projects have included BJC HealthCare, Kiel Center Partners, the Garden District Commission, Grand Center Inc., Washington University Medical Center, Marriott International, the St. Louis Blues Hockey Club, McDonald Douglas Corporation, the St. Louis Science Center and the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center. In addition, Ms. Martínez has worked on the renovation of numerous low-income and historic apartment complexes in St. Louis.
A 1982 graduate of the Washington University School of Law, Ms. Martínez earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Missouri-Columbia in 1976. She received the Civic Award from the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce in 2007, the Woman of the Year Award from the St. Louis Daily Record in 2004, and the Distinguished Young Alumni Award from the Washington University School of Law in 2005. She was named to the St. Louis Business Journal’s list of Most Influential Minority Leaders in 2005 and to the Journal’s list of Community leaders every year from 2001 to 2007. In 2000, she was named a Special Leader by the YWCA.
In addition to her work with Bryan Cave, Ms. Martínez is a commissioner for the St. Louis Science Center, the St. Louis Art Museum, a director with the United Way of Greater St. Louis, director and president of Circus Flora and a member of the Friends Board of the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center.
In December, Gov.-elect Nixon announced the initial steps of his Show Me JOBS Initiative, a bipartisan plan to get Missourians back to work and support small-business growth. The plan provides low-interest loans specifically for small businesses; calls for the expansion of the Missouri Quality Jobs Program; creates incentives for worker training and re-training; establishes an Automotive Manufacturing Task Force; and fosters expansion of existing Missouri businesses. In addition, the plan specifies that all of these state actions will be coordinated with any federal stimulus efforts to eliminate duplication and ensure the best use of state dollars.
The Missouri Department of Economic Development oversees a wide variety of state programs and services designed to create and retain jobs, attract businesses and help communities grow and prosper. The Department includes the Business and Community Services Division, the Division of Workforce Development and the Division of Tourism. In addition, the Missouri Housing Development Commission, the Missouri Arts Council, the Missouri Women’s Council, the Missouri Technology Corporation, the Missouri Community Service Commission, the Missouri Public Service Commission, the Office of the Public Council and the Missouri Development Finance Board are part of the Department.
The Governor appoints the Director of the Missouri Department of Economic Development with the advice and consent of the State Senate.