News

Actions

State and local leaders react to Foxconn building in southeast Wisconsin

Posted at 10:50 PM, Jul 27, 2017
and last updated 2017-07-27 23:50:22-04

Foxconn was on display at the Milwaukee Art Museum Thursday. Company Chairman Terry Gou showed off some product to Governor Scott Walker before they signed the Letter of Memorandum.

"It isn't just big, it's super big," said Gov. Scott Walker.

Assembly Minority Democratic Leader Peter Barca, who serves parts of the area likely to get the mega-plant, said there's more to be done.

"You have to have a final contract as well and I suspect they haven't fully crossed all the T's and dotted the I's there, but it's a hopeful opportunity," said Representative Peter Barca, Minority Democratic Leader.

Mount Pleasant is on the radar to get the plant. The village president said he can't say much.

"We're doing our best to be able to bring this home," said President David DeGroot.

The Racine County Executive also can't share details, but said Foxconn is a win all around.

"This is only going to be successful if everybody is on board together and I believe that's gonna happen," said Racine County Executive Jonathan Delagrave.

Speaker Robin Vos hopes the plant is in his district and soon. He expects to start reviewing a bill by early next week.

"I'd like to have it on the floor of the legislature by mid-August so that we can get this done and we can begin all the work in preparing whichever site they're going to utilize and hopefully have shovels in the ground by the time spring breaks next year," said Speaker Robin Vos.

All eyes are on Kenosha and Racine Counties, but Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele said he's been working with Foxconn for awhile now.

"Primarily because of the airport they do an enormous amount of shipping they're very interested in the 400 at the former air force base that we have at General Mitchell, they've talked about maybe doing an assembly plant in addition to the manufacturing one," said Abele.

Leaders said the potential for 13,000 jobs in Wisconsin is almost unbelievable.

"Regardless of our political affiliation we all agree has to be the top priority," said Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett.