Missouri Leaders Share Infrastructure Investment Impacts at Emery Sapp & Sons Asphalt Plant Event

Missouri government leaders gave insight into Missouri’s infrastructure plans on Monday, July 15 at the Emery Sapp & Sons (ESS) asphalt plant industry event in Springfield. Missouri Lieutenant Governor Mike Kehoe, State Senator Lincoln Hough, Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey, State Auditor Scott Fitzpatrick and ESS executive leadership shared remarks promoting Missouri’s dedication to the development of transportation systems.

“The large investments Missouri is making in our community will have an immediate positive economic impact including job creation and further development,” said Brandon Finn, executive vice president of asphalt operations at ESS. “We are very fortunate that here in Missouri we have strong leaders that understand the importance of responsible government and infrastructure investment.”

Lt. Governor Mike Kehoe focused on the return on investment through job creation. “Every billion dollars spent in infrastructure creates about 20,000 jobs…The highway program we have now is close to a 5-billion dollar program, which is 100,000 jobs created across the state.”

The event provided valuable insights into the asphalt process and the impacts of infrastructure on the community. Attendees gained firsthand knowledge of the capabilities at one of Emery Sapp & Sons’ nine asphalt plants in the Midwest. Remarks from elected officials reasserted Missouri’s position on the industry.

“When we do things like the [Improve I-70 project], those are generational investments,” said Sen. Lincoln Hough. “The state ought to be figuring out ways to rebuild the structures we have all over our communities so that the next generations have every opportunity.”

Significant transportation projects in Missouri include the I-70 improvements, the I-44 corridor and $100 million rural road enhancements. By funding these projects, Missouri is committing to building safer roads ready for the future.