Foxconn ‘Remains Committed’ to its Contract with Wisconsin State for LCD Plant

Foxconn apparently still has big plans for Wisconsin, even though the state’s governor is skeptical.

According to a new report from Reuters, Taiwanese electronics manufacturer and chief Apple supplier Foxconn said Thursday it is committed to its contract with Wisconsin a day after Democratic Governor Tony Evers said the deal may need to be “downsized.”

“Foxconn remains committed to our contract with the State of Wisconsin,” the company said in a statement. “While we continue our weekly engagement with the Evers Administration, especially through the Department of Administration and the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC), we are open to further consultation, collaboration, and new ideas.”

Gov. Evers previously raised the possibility of renegotiating Foxconn‘s contract for a planned factory and development in southeast Wisconsin. The contract may need to be scaled back because Taiwan-based Foxconn has said it will build a smaller plant than originally envisioned, Ever said Wednesday.

The original contract would give Foxconn about $4 billion USD in state and local tax credits if it invests $10 billion and employs 13,000 workers over 15 years. Evers was critical of the deal, the largest government incentive package in U.S. history to a foreign company.

Foxconn pointed out that the first phase of construction on its Wisconn Valley Science and Technology Park campus in Mount Pleasant “is beginning anew after the winter break.”

The company said construction will commence this summer on a thin-film transistor fabrication and liquid crystal display facility. The company has committed to hiring Wisconsin contractors and suppliers for the project.

“We look forward to continuing to honor our Wisconsin First promise as we select partners for this next major chapter of our investment,” the company said.

Foxconn’s future has also come into question as Chairman Terry Gou announced Wednesday that he’s entering the 2020 presidential race in Taiwan. Gou said he would “withdraw from daily operations” at Foxconn if he wins a primary election to represent the Kuomintang party, according to CNN.

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