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MARSHFIELD, MO. (AP) -- A southwest Missouri county has come up with a new plan for attracting industry and creating jobs.

Webster County has lost an estimated 1,000 jobs in the past half-dozen years.

And this past week, county commissioners decided to move forward with what is called an enhanced enterprise zone.

The Springfield News-Leader reported that the zone must be approved locally and then certified by the state Department of Economic Development.

If approved, local tax abatement and state tax credits would be offered to new and expanding businesses within the zone that meet specific criteria.

The criteria includes things like job creation and helping to provide employee health insurance coverage.

Information from: Springfield News-Leader, http://www.news-leader.com

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