GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) – Governor Walker making it clear that Wisconsin is up for the challenge of a multi-billion dollar manufacturing giant coming to the state.
During a roundtable discussion at Northeast Wisconsin Technical College Wednesday, Walker says it’s not just the potential of 13,000 new jobs but the also the $4 billion dollars in supply chain.
“Businesses right here throughout Northeastern Wisconsin can be a part of that. We think that’s going to be vital to success of Foxconn going forward. In addition, obviously in the short term, immediately in the next couple of years we’re looking at construction needs, construction firms, engineering firms,” Walker said.
State and community leaders including State Representative David Steffen, Senator Frank Lasee, Brown County Executive Troy Streckenbach, UW System President Ray Cross, and President of NWTC Jeff Rafin among others were in attendance.
Rafin says this potential deal will reaffirm the importance of manufacturing and its lucrative pay.
“Foxconn comes out and says, you know, these jobs are going to pay to start $50-60,000…well, that gets people’s attention,” said Rafin.
Walker says the state has spent the last 5 years getting positioned for an opportunity like Foxconn.
“So we’re going to be aggressive on it but we’re up to the challenge. That’s part of the reason why they picked us was they felt we could handle the time frame they’re looking at. They’ve done it elsewhere so, they’re certainly capable of doing it as a company. We just need to make sure we’re up to the challenge,” Walker explained.
The Foxconn facility, a $10 billion investment, would be 20 million square feet, about the size of 11 Lambeau Fields.
The state Assembly has scheduled a vote for Thursday on a proposed incentive package for Foxconn.
Lawmakers will come to the floor to take up the bill, which includes nearly three-billion-dollars in tax credits for a factory the Taiwanese electronics company wants to build in southeastern Wisconsin.
