The following is a brief of the story. For the full version, see the Monday, Nov. 17 print edition of the BDN.

Manufacturing is doing well in rural Missouri, says Sen. Bill Stouffer, citing the Caterpillar in Boonville as a strong example.

In August, it was announced Caterpillar, Inc., would receive $35,000 to train 100 employees at their Boonville location. This is part of Caterpillar’s physical expansion there, which will grow the location from the current 114,000 square feet to 164,000 square feet. This also means improvements for the roads and other services in and around their location.

“All of this is coming as we continue to hear how manufacturing is almost nonexistent in the United States,” said Stouffer, a Republican, who serves Senator Stouffer serves the counties of Carroll, Chariton, Cooper, Howard, Lafayette, Macon, Ray, Saline, and a part of Clay. “We are fortunate to have several strong manufacturing firms throughout rural Missouri, which help to keep the heart and soul of the nation strong. Along with a solid farming foundation, manufacturing is what continues to help make Missouri a strong state economically.”