I guess we should have just given people $1,000 bills

Darin Patterson of Springfield's Patterson Auto Group LLC explains to the Springfield Business Journal what he plans to do with his new low-interest loan from the Missouri Small Business Loan Program.

"I am ecstatic," Patterson said. "I'm hoping this $25,000 will not only get me more employees but will also get us through the hump through the winter and get our roots established."

In addition to an approximately 15-car lot, Patterson plans to introduce detailing and paintless dent removal services in October. He has two people on staff, including himself, and hopes to employ six within two years.

So much for the prediction from Peter "Every Dollar Counts" Kinder that these loans couldn't buy much more than "a desk and a computer and a chair." Kinder also said: "I think we might as well go out on High Street and start handing out thousand-dollar bills to passersby,"  

Judging solely by the SBJ article above, it looks like Darin Patterson disagrees.

The new loan program was approved 7-1 by the Missouri Development Finance Board in April. Only Lt. Governor Peter Kinder voted against the proposal.