After a series of reports raised questions about the company’s plans for a southeastern Wisconsin facility, Foxconn announced today it will begin the next phases of construction this summer on a “Generation 6” facility to produce LCD screens.
The company said it expects the plant to begin production in the fourth quarter of 2020. It also plans to award bid packages by April 1 for utilities at the site, along with roadways and storm drainage. In May, the initial bid packages will be issued for construction of the Gen 6 fabrication facility and ancillary buildings.
When the project was unveiled, the company originally announced plans for much larger screens at what’s known as a Gen 10 facility as part of a $10 billion investment with plans to hire up to 13,000 people.
Since then, the company scaled back plans for the plant to a Gen 6 facility, at least initially. Media reports earlier this year then raised the prospect the company would move away from a factory altogether and use the site for research and development, assembly and packaging.
But Foxconn then re-affirmed its commitment to the Gen 6 plant six weeks ago.
“We’re investing in Wisconsin because we know manufacturing here is going to drive even greater success and growth for Foxconn and for the community,” said Dr. Louis Woo, special assistant to Foxconn founder and CEO Terry Gou.
Tony Evers spokeswoman Melissa Baldauff said the announcement shows the guv “is getting results” and he will continue conversations to “ensure that Wisconsin taxpayers see a good return on their investment.”
During last year’s campaign, Evers was critical of the up to $3 billion incentive package his predecessor signed with the company. He also has had the Department of Natural Resources review environmental permits issued to the company.
“The governor will continue to make good on his promise to protect the taxpayers by making sure that Foxconn is transparent and accountable as they move forward,” Baldauff said.
