Gov. Scott Walker is celebrating the decision to bring a Foxconn manufacturing plant to Wisconsin as a win for the state.
President Donald Trump announced Wednesday that the electronics giant will build a $10 billion factory that's expected to create up to 13,000 jobs.
Walker was in Washington, D.C. for the announcement, and spoke exclusively with TODAY'S TMJ4's Charles Benson. He said a lot of other states wanted Foxconn and put more money on the table, but Wisconsin's bid still won out.
"It's a great day for America, it's a great day for Wisconsin, it's a great day for Foxconn," Walker said. "These are high paying jobs, good industrial, manufacturing high-tech jobs. You're talking at least $53,000, on average, per year, plus benefits."
Foxconn officials have promised to invest $10 billion in the project, with Wisconsin taxpayers putting $3 billion on the table in tax incentives.
But Walker says that "only happens if they make that capital investment."
"It's pay to play, meaning you have to perform to get the performance there, so if they make something less than the $10 billion investment or something less than the 13,000 jobs, they don't get as much of an incentive," Walker said.
The incentives include dollars for worker training and a sales tax rebate on construction. The money would have to be approved by lawmakers.
Assembly Speaker Robin Vos says it's a good deal.
"They're going to provide good jobs in the state, either in construction or right at the Foxconn plant," Vos said.
But $3 billion adds up to around $10,000 for each job, but Vos calls it a "bargain," and points out that the money will be spread out over several years.
Tim Sheehy, the head of the Metro Milwaukee Association of Commerce, says the total number of direct and indirect jobs is closer to 40,000 throughout the state.
"This puts Wisconsin at the center of next-generation manufacturing for the forseeable future. This technology is not going to be made in the U.S., it's going to be made in Wisconsin, and that is a great statement for our future," Sheehy said.
The factory will produce liquid-crystal display panels that are used in televisions and computer screens. Racine and Kenosha counties are both in the running for the plant.
