— Missouri added nearly 10,900 manufacturing jobs in the past year, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Speaking at a manufacturing facility about 50 miles west St. Louis, Gov. Jay Nixon touted the increase as a success of his administration’s Strategic Initiative for Economic Growth.

“From increased investments in job-training programs, to support for our community colleges, to landmark legislation like the Missouri Manufacturing Jobs Act, my administration is working tirelessly to create jobs and make Missouri a manufacturing state for years to come,” said Nixon.

Advanced manufacturing was a one of seven target industries Nixon’s plan hopes to expand. Some of the growth came from significant investments by the auto industry, like the ones announced by Ford and General Motors in October. Nixon said Missouri is “an optimal location” for modern factories.

Over the same time period, Missouri’s unemployment rate dropped from 9.6 percent to 8.2 percent in November 2011, its lowest point since Nixon took office.