Gov. Scott Walker
Press Release

Governor Walker Moderates Foxconn Roundtable Discussion in Green Bay

Joins government, business, and education leaders in discussing impact Foxconn will have on workforce development in Wisconsin

By - Aug 16th, 2017 10:50 am

GREEN BAY – Governor Scott Walker joined local chamber of commerce, technical college, University of Wisconsin (UW) System, and county leaders today at Northeast Wisconsin Technical College for a roundtable discussion focused on the transformational impact Foxconn will have on workforce development in Wisconsin.

“Foxconn is the world’s fourth largest tech company by revenue and they chose Wisconsin over every other state in the country because we have the strong education system necessary to prepare the next generation of workers with the practical skills necessary to meet Foxconn’s workforce needs,” Governor Walker said. “In fact, between the 2013-2015 and 2015-17 budgets, we’ve invested a total of more than $382 million into state programs that support workforce development. Foxconn is a transformational opportunity and the company’s presence in Wisconsin will have a positive ripple effect throughout the state. We are ready for Wisconn Valley and remain vigilant for opportunities like today’s roundtable to prepare and educate the people of our state about this historic investment.”

To help prepare Wisconsin’s workforce for the 13,000 good-paying jobs Foxconn plans to bring to the state, the Assembly Committee on Jobs and the Economy adopted an amendment to the Foxconn bill adding $20 million in the next biennium to the Department of Workforce Development (DWD).

“The Wisconsin Technical College System has the experience and partnerships necessary to respond quickly and efficiently to meet the state’s workforce needs,” said Wisconsin Technical College System President Morna Foy. “We look forward to working with the Governor, Legislature, and our education, economic development, and employer partners to ensure a strong talent pipeline for Wisconsin.”

“Companies like Foxconn will locate in states where they know they can recruit talent,” said UW System President Ray Cross. “The UW System plays a critical role in developing a workforce with strong problem-solving skills that can produce creative, innovative solutions now and in the future.”

In addition to the 13,000 jobs created directly by Foxconn, the project is also expected to create 22,000 indirect and induced jobs throughout Wisconsin. Every year, Foxconn plans to make $4.26 billion in supplier purchases, one-third of which will be sourced in the state. Overall, the project is expected to have a $7 billion economic impact on Wisconsin every year, requiring an estimated $10 billion capital investment for construction and equipment sourced from Wisconsin businesses. Over each of the next four years, the Foxconn project will support 10,000 construction jobs as well as 6,000 indirect jobs from the construction.

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12 thoughts on “Governor Walker Moderates Foxconn Roundtable Discussion in Green Bay”

  1. Michael Schwister says:
    August 17, 2017 at 8:31 am

    “Foxconn is the world’s fourth largest tech company by revenue and they chose Wisconsin over every other state in the country because we have the strong education system necessary to prepare the next generation of workers with the practical skills necessary to meet Foxconn’s workforce needs.

    Educators and taxpayers shouldn’t be on the hook for training private corporate employees. They can learn on the job just like the rest of us. I’m sure it won’t take much more than five minutes to explain the assembly line and their space in it.

  2. myfivecents says:
    August 17, 2017 at 8:44 am

    Why are you holding a round table discussion in NE Wisconsin about a company who is building over 200 miles away. Why not in SE Wisconsin in your friend Paul Ryan’s district where the plant is going to be built? Actually you seldom ever hold any meetings in SE Wisconsin except for Waukesha.

  3. AG says:
    August 17, 2017 at 9:33 am

    Michael Schwister, these aren’t you basic assembly line jobs. This will be a skilled job that requires workers to be properly educated. Just like other professions that need training, it happens at our universities and technical schools. That is the whole purpose of our higher education system.

  4. Eric J says:
    August 17, 2017 at 9:47 am

    AG ” That is the whole purpose( ???) of our higher education system.” No it is not . Other than a select few college areas of study.

    Tech schools more so of course. Higher ed. is not a training ground for industry.

  5. Dave Reid says:
    August 17, 2017 at 10:01 am

    @AG Despite the $50k average salary number that’s out there, the truth is the tax credits kick in at $30,000 a year, so basically $15/hour. That doesn’t sound like jobs targeting higher education.

  6. AG says:
    August 17, 2017 at 10:05 am

    Sorry for my wording. Educating people for the workplace is only a major focus for most colleges, not the sole purpose.

  7. AG says:
    August 17, 2017 at 10:10 am

    Dave, I disagree. Most skilled jobs that require education, for example CNC machinists and welders, start in that range and generally require higher education. That being said, the 30k minimum is the WEDC county tier requirement for the tax credits. We don’t actually know what the starting wages will be, other than that they’ll have to be over that level for the credits.

  8. AG says:
    August 17, 2017 at 10:41 am

    Interestingly, I just saw a Q&A on jsonline where it states Foxconn’s starting plant salaries will be $41,600 plus benefits.

  9. Eric J says:
    August 17, 2017 at 12:15 pm

    The governor could have approved the Kenosha casino creating some 3000 jobs without nearly the cost of the Foxconn deal.
    -Only expense would have been another pesky potential lawsuit. Brad Schimel doesn’t seem to object to private law offices defending the state in courtrooms. -Bring back the casino ( He isn’t running for president any longer)

  10. Eric J says:
    August 17, 2017 at 12:20 pm

    “Huebsch’s fear that taxpayers could be on the hook for “hundreds of millions” of dollars stemmed from fear that the Potawatomi would win a lawsuit requiring that the state refund the fees the tribe had paid to the state in past years.

    -HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS ?? ( That is still less than a billion isn’t it )

  11. Eric J says:
    August 17, 2017 at 12:27 pm

    “It is a good deal for the taxpayer. It’s no different than how we’ve done economic development in Wisconsin for other companies,” Vos said. “Once in a while, I think it’s worth it for us to take that kind of big leap.”

  12. Eric J says:
    August 17, 2017 at 12:33 pm

    The Kenosha casino “would be one of the state’s largest employers” and essentially be Wisconsin’s “biggest TAXPAYER.”

    We rated that September 2013 claim by the Menominee tribe of Wisconsin, which would have built the casino, as Mostly True.

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