© 2024 WXPR
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Dept. Of Administration Sec. Nowak Says North Will Get Foxconn Contracts

Wisconsin.gov

Wisconsin Department of Administration Secretary Ellen Nowak stopped at Nicolet College in Rhinelander Wednesday to bring their message that the Foxconn development will bring work to this area.

Foxconn is locating its North American headquarters in southeastern Wisconsin. Governor Walker has said it will bring thousands of jobs. Critics say the tax breaks given to the company will cost all state taxpayers for decades, with little benefit outside of southern Wisconsin.

Nowak says Wisconsin companies are getting involved... 

"...We're seeing a number of counties across our state being involved. The great news is 90 percent of the contracts that have been awarded to date have been to Wisconsin companies and we're only one percent along the way regarding the number of contracts awarded. There's a long way to go. If there hasn't been a company in your particular county that has been impacted, I'm pretty sure it will be in the future because there's so much more to do on this project..."

Nowak says Foxconn has agreed to a 'Wisconsin first' approach, which she says means the electronics giant will look toward buying and hiring from Wisconsin first...

"...Right now, with just one percent of the contracts awarded, we are already seeing contractors and sub-contractors coming from 26 different counties. 90 percent of the contracts so far have come from Wisconsin..."

President Trump joined Governor Scott Walker in June to break ground on the main facility in the village of Mount Pleasant. Critics shared concerns over the potential $4.5 billion cost to taxpayers, the plant's impact on the environment and effect it will have on the local community.

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Tony Evers has said the agreement to bring Foxconn to Wisconsin was passed without much transparency, accountability for job creation or claw-back provisions to protect Wisconsin taxpayers’ investment.

Up North Updates
* indicates required
Related Content