Foxconn renews commitment to WI, wants to expand 'investment in American talent'
MOUNT PLEASANT -- Foxconn Technology Group says after speaking with President Donald Trump the Taiwan company plans to proceed with plans to construct a plant in Wisconsin that will make screens that can be used for small electronic devices.
The news Friday comes after a week of confusion about Foxconn's plans in Wisconsin. The company had said last year that it was planning to build such a facility in Wisconsin, but comments by a Foxconn official this week that it was not building a factory in the state cast the future of the project in doubt.
Foxconn site in Mount Pleasant
Foxconn says after productive discussions with the White House, and a personal conversation between President Trump and Foxconn chairman Terry Gou, it plans to proceed with the smaller manufacturing facility.
Foxconn says it will be an advanced manufacturing facility and the hub of its project in Wisconsin.
Foxconn has an agreement to create 13,000 jobs at its Wisconsin Valley Science and Technology Park -- in exchange for $4 billion in state and local incentives. President Trump praised the deal as the revival of American manufacturing.
The latest Foxconn statement still does not say how many of its 13,000 employees would be involved in manufacturing. Still, local leaders in Racine County are applauding Foxconn's re-commitment to build an advanced manufacturing campus.
Complete statement from Foxconn Technology Group
"After productive discussions between the White House and the company, and after a personal conversation between President Donald J. Trump and Chairman Terry Gou, Foxconn is moving forward with our planned construction of a Gen 6 fab facility, which will be at the heart of the Wisconn Valley Science and Technology Park. This campus will serve both as an advanced manufacturing facility as well as a hub of high technology innovation for the region.
"Our decision is also based on a recent comprehensive and systematic evaluation to help determine the best fit for our Wisconsin project among TFT technologies. We have undertaken the evaluation while simultaneously seeking to broaden our investment across Wisconsin far beyond our original plans to ensure the company, our workforce, the local community, and the state of Wisconsin will be positioned for long-term success.
"We look forward to continuing to expand our investment in American talent in Wisconsin and the US."
Foxconn site in Mount Pleasant
Assembly Speaker Robin Vos (R-Rochester) and Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald (R-Juneau) released the following statement on President Trump’s phone call with Foxconn Chairman Terry Gou.
“We want to thank President Trump for his commitment to Wisconsin workers – our state has an ally in the White House who is dedicated to helping us bring family-supporting careers to our state.
“We also want to thank Foxconn for reaffirming its commitment to the historic investment in Wisconsin. Southeast Wisconsin and the entire state will see an influx of manufacturing jobs and billions in investments that will impact Wisconsin for generations to come.
“Wisconsin Republicans are dedicated to keeping our state open for business. We will continue to fight to keep the state moving forward.”
The following joint statement was issued by Village of Mount Pleasant President David DeGroot, City of Racine Mayor Cory Mason, Racine County Executive Jonathan Delagrave and Jenny Trick, Executive Director of the Racine County Economic Development Corporation (RCEDC):
"We welcome today’s announcement that Foxconn has determined the LCD/TFT technology it will build at its advanced manufacturing campus in the Village of Mount Pleasant. We look forward to working with Foxconn as it advances its Generation 6 manufacturing facility, including its ongoing construction of manufacturing, assembly and research facilities in 2019.
"Foxconn has confirmed to us that it will host information sessions in April for the next round of construction. It will also commence work on the Gen6 Fab facility, along with completing work on the campus facilities it shared earlier this week, over the next 18 months.
"We remain committed to ensuring that Foxconn’s investment in our community will bring unparalleled economic development, job growth and enhanced quality of life for those in Racine County and throughout Wisconsin."