Photo by August Kryger / St. Joseph News-Press / Purchase this photo

Gov. Jay Nixon said Wednesday that transmission lines handling power in Northwest Missouri for new wind farms are one of the biggest challenges the area faces. He hopes to tackle that obstacle by pursuing federal stimulus dollars.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — Gov. Jay Nixon pledged to pursue federal stimulus dollars as soon as possible Wednesday, despite Republican warnings.

Mr. Nixon said he hopes to capture funds from the economic recovery package President Barack Obama signed Tuesday so Missouri can invest in three categories to help transform the economy.

However, Republican governors in some states, including Alaska, Florida, Louisiana, South Carolina and Mississippi, dislike the stimulus package and could possibly reject the funds. Missouri Sen. Brad Lager, R-Savannah, and other state senators on Wednesday also criticized any efforts to use the federal money to create or expand government programs.

“As long as I’m your governor, we won’t forfeit these dollars to other states,” Mr. Nixon said during a press conference.

Mr. Nixon, without offering any specific funding goals, outlined what he’s dubbed the Transform Missouri Initiative. He wants Missouri to use the stimulus funds for worker training and re-training, along with efforts to update technology in school classrooms — an investment in “human capital,” he said.

The initiative looks to bring high-speed, broadband Internet to the entire state, along with upgrades to roads and bridges — the transportation prong of the plan.

And finally, Mr. Nixon wants the state to invest in science and emerging technology — which includes plans to invest more in specialized job training, particularly in life sciences, and energy conservation initiatives.

This is where Northwest Missouri will play an important part in moving the economy, Mr. Nixon said.

He aims to make Missouri a bigger player in the manufacturing world for the parts associated with wind turbines, solar panels and biomass burners, in addition to attracting more alternative energy operations.

Mr. Nixon said Northwest Missouri has great potential for wind farms, with projects already located near Tarkio, Rock Port and King City.

“One of the biggest challenges in Northwest Missouri ... is you don’t have (transmission) lines that can carry that kind of power,” he said, alluding to an incoming remedy.

Earlier Wednesday, the local senator whose district includes the wind farms — and other lawmakers — raised concerns over the potentially negative long-term effects the stimulus money could have on the state’s budget. The debate came when state senators gave first-round approval to SB 313, which establishes the necessary bank accounts for Missouri to accept the recovery package money.

“One-time funds need to fund one-time projects,” Mr. Lager said. “We are in a very dangerous time ... I hope that ... we move forward in a very prudent manner that ensures fiscal responsibility and accountability.”

While some of the recovery’s stabilization funds would go toward purposes such as helping the state pay for extra health care expenses during times of increased unemployment, Mr. Nixon said “the magic” of what the state is seeking is for one-time expenditures.

He also said the time to debate whether Congress should’ve approved the stimulus package has passed.

“Whether you like the federal bailout or not ... that’s a rear-view mirror shot,” he said. “I do not think we should walk away from this once-in-a-generation opportunity.”

Alyson E. Raletz can be reached at alysonraletz@npgco.com.