Even if Foxconn settles on Kenosha for a site for a new plant, plenty of questions would need to be answered before Kenosha County Executive Jim Kreuser would sign off on the deal.
Speaking on Saturday’s Community Matters, Kreuser confirmed that the Taiwanese company is entertaining site proposals from various municipalities in southeast Wisconsin. He didn’t identify—or even specifically confirm—that any of those sites are in Kenosha County.
Nor did he say that a plant the size of what’s been suggested would even be welcome in Kenosha County. "When you have opportunities of a large scale--whatever they may be--you need to make sure you put the community first," Kreuser said. "You don't want to be in a situation where it's not a balanced equation," he said.
Indications are that Foxconn, the world’s largest contract electronics manufacturer, is at least considering building a mammoth plant in the U.S. to make television displays. Wisconsin is believed to be in competition with Michigan and maybe other states for such a plant that could employ thousands.
While there's been no firm indication that a site in Kenosha County is about to be offered up, the Racine County Board met in closed session this week to discuss an unspecified large-scale development opportunity.
"It would be perfect for somewhere in southeast Wisconsin," Kreuser said during Friday's taping of the WGTD public affairs program. "It’s got to be a win-win. It can't be a one-way street just for a big business to come in. We have to take care of the community and make sure it's compatible."
Foxconn's massive plant in China has a history of labor problems.
Pleasant Prairie's interim village administrator told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that Foxconn had been circulating a proposal seeking a thousand-acre site and a second site of 400 acres. He said the village doesn't have the land mass to accommodate such a request.
During his visit to Waukesha this past week, President Trump said he thought a large manufacturer that he didn't name might have good news soon for Gov. Walker.
Foxconn landing anywhere in southeast Wisconsin would undoubtedly benefit to varying degrees the entire region, including Kenosha County, because of spin-off supplier business, Kreuser said. Kenosha County has rebuilt its economy in the post auto-industry era one small and medium-sized business at a time.
A Foxconn plant anywhere in the U.S. is not a sure thing. Media reports indicate the company has a track record of raising hopes but not always following through.
For the full Community Matters program, click here.
-0-
