Columbia-based VA Mortgage Center will receive $6.1 million in incentives from Missouri, announced Gov. Jay Nixon yesterday. The state aid package includes $5.6 million from the Quality Jobs program, $300,000 from a new jobs training program, and $212,000 from a recruitment/referral program.

Why all the attention? The company plans on adding 300 jobs over the next five years to its 500-employee workforce, consolidating its three Columbia offices at a single headquarters, and offering more products as part of its growth strategy.

The nine-year-old firm provides home financing and refinancing for U.S. service members, veterans and their families. Currently it is the No. 1 dedicated VA purchase lender in the nation, and will secure over $1 billion in VA funding this year. In 2007, Inc. magazine recognized VA Mortgage Center as one of the top 100 fastest-growing small businesses in America.