WENTZVILLE, Mo. — Wentzville Mayor Nick Guccione said he's gotten a lot of calls about his Thursday morning meeting with Governor Mike Parson.
"Yeah. there's kind of a buzz out there," Guccione said minutes after another call, "and I'm not sure where it came from."
Guccione said Parson emailed him — and stakeholders — about 48 hours prior summoning them to Jefferson City for a meeting about economic development, though Guccione said he can't share many specifics because there isn't anything final yet.
Another attendee, Missouri Senator Bob Onder (R-St. Charles) says he welcomes a possible $1B investment in the Wentzville plant.
"It looks like General Motors is seriously considering a large, new investment in the GM plant," Onder said.
Open since 1983, the GM plant is the biggest employer in Wentzville with an estimated 3,500-4,500 people on the payroll.
People who live and work in the area — like Lone Wolf Saloon bartender Angie Lorraine — said anything that's good for GM is good for the whole community.
"Thank God they're here," Lorraine said of the GM workers who come in as customers.
Just eight minutes away from the plant, Angie Lorraine said she shared news of the possible GM investment on social media because she's seen first-hand how one business can boost another.
"It helps everybody," Lorrain said. "It's like a trickle-down effect. They work at GM, but it's helping everybody... straight on down to the janitors."
Guccione says it will be a few weeks before there is anything to announce, and he'll continue to work towards economic growth in Wentzville.
"It’s great to see local and state officials working together to ensure that we protect jobs in the region," Guccione said.