Electric company Ameren Missouri says it’s doing 2,000 electric upgrade projects over the next five years throughout its 64-county territory. Ameren says the modernizations will create thousands of direct and indirect jobs. At a press conference in Jefferson City, Lieutenant Governor Mike Kehoe said the projects are a major economic development boost to the state.

The company is investing $5.3 billion, including for 12,000 new utility poles, more than 400 miles of underground cable and $1 billion for wind-energy projects in 2020.

—MISSOURINET