Mondayâs announcement that Gov. Tony Evers had negotiated a new deal with Foxconn wasnât entirely a shock. The state had long expressed dissatisfaction with the companyâs follow through on the original 2017 deal, and there had been strong signals it would be significantly altered.
According to Evers, the new agreement âworks for everyone.â Thatâs an optimistic appraisal given Foxconnâs history, and one that Wisconsin can only hope is accurate.
To recap, Foxconn struck a deal worth nearly $4 billion in tax incentives with former Gov. Scott Walker in 2017. The company promised a $10 billion flat screen panel manufacturer in Mount Pleasant, and employment of as many as 13,000 people. That didnât happen. The project was pared back until the state said Foxconn would not qualify for the incentives.
Monday’s announcement that Gov. Tony Evers had negotiated a new deal with Foxconn wasn’t entirely a shock. The state had long expressed dissatisfaction with the
Editorial Roundup: Wisconsin
Eau Claire Leader-Telegram. April 19, 2021.
Editorial: Wait and see right approach on Foxconn
Monday’s announcement that Gov. Tony Evers had negotiated a new deal with Foxconn wasn’t entirely a shock. The state had long expressed dissatisfaction with the company’s follow through on the original 2017 deal, and there had been strong signals it would be significantly altered.
According to Evers, the new agreement “works for everyone.” That’s an optimistic appraisal given Foxconn’s history, and one that Wisconsin can only hope is accurate.
To recap, Foxconn struck a deal worth nearly $4 billion in tax incentives with former Gov. Scott Walker in 2017. The company promised a $10 billion flat screen panel manufacturer in Mount Pleasant, and employment of as many as 13,000 people. That didn’t happen. The project was pared back until the state said Foxconn would not qualify for the incentives.
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With Fisker, Foxconn Technology Group Chairman Young-way Liu says global leaders in innovation are joining forces. But critics who have followed the company are skeptical.
Assembly Minority Leader Gordon Hintz, D-Oshkosh, is anticipating the deal to make electric cars won’t go very far, either.
“From the beginning the lack of transparency, the lack of honesty and the lack of accountability from Foxconn has really plagued the project and investment,” Hintz told WPR. “It’s hard to take them seriously, even if there is a credible announcement.”
Hintz said the company’s Wisconsin operations have appeared to be virtually nonexistent for nearly four years, Wisconsin Public Radio reported.