MOUNT PLEASANT — News of Foxconn being ineligible for tax credits for the second consecutive year is stirring up concerns in Mount Pleasant where Foxconn's development is taking place.
Construction crews continue to make progress on about a million square feet of facilities in Racine County. Some residents said that's reason enough to believe in Foxconn. Others think they deserve to know what exactly is being built.
"I'm not surprised, but I'm also disappointed," said Kelly Gallaher.
Gallaher’s skepticism of Foxconn’s plans in her community only grew Friday when she learned the state is withholding tax credits for jobs without a revised contract.
"There’s no transparency in the process and if you ask anyone what are they going to build here, no one has any idea," Gallaher said.
Gallaher launched a Facebook page to serve as a local 'watchdog' for Foxconn developments. While state officials said it won’t be forking over nearly $50 million this year in tax incentives, Gallaher's community is still on the hook for just under $1 billion.
"The Village of Mount Pleasant and Racine County for land and for infrastructure and we’re doing all of this and we’re spending this money and building this for something that we know is not coming," Gallaher said.
Foxconn originally committed to building a 22-million square foot manufacturing plant deemed 'Wisconn Valley', but then claimed economic uncertainty in the tech industry called for a much smaller plant that will employ about 15,000 people.
"I think it’s apparent that they’re building obviously," said Dave Leicht.
Leicht lives right across the street from the Foxconn development in Mount Pleasant. He’s even applied to be a subcontractor for work on the project. Leicht believes the state is treating Foxconn unfairly.
"Yeah, this used to be cornfields out here but so what? I think this has a great economic impact," he said.
The Racine County Executive said Foxconn has fulfilled all of its obligations under their local contract. The state’s contract is a separate deal.
