The Missouri Department of Economic Development awarded a total of $400,000 in Youth Opportunity Program (YOP) tax credits to Saint Louis Counseling and St. Francis Community Services, each receiving $200,000 in funding for their respective nonprofit agencies. The organizations are two of eight nonprofit agencies that make up the Catholic Charities of St. Louis Federation.

Missouri's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate has remained at 3.3 percent for the past five months. Seasonal adjustment is a statistical technique used to measure and remove influences of predictable seasonal patterns to show how employment and unemployment change monthly.

YOP helps non-profit organizations raise private-sector funds by providing partial state tax credits to businesses and individuals that make contributions to approved youth development projects.

Fidelity Bonding Demonstration Grants provide incentives for employers to hire and retain at-risk employees. Funds from this grant will be used to increase employment outcomes for formerly incarcerated individuals and educate employers on the benefits of the Federal Bonding Program. Since 2006, Missouri issued $1.5 million in fidelity bonding, serving more than 125 companies and 200 individuals.