As lawmakers consider a potential $3 billion dollar incentives package for Taiwanese electronics manufacturer Foxconn, the company is reportedly eyeing Dane County for a second potential site.
Madison Mayor Paul Soglin says he learned of Foxconn’s interest last week when he was contacted by the Madison Region Economic Partnership (MadREP). Since then, he has suggested the recently-shuttered Oscar Mayer plant as a potential location.
Foxconn requested a “greenfield,” or undeveloped site, Soglin said. The Oscar Mayer site doesn’t meet that requirement, but he believes it’s a prime location because it’s close to the airport, roads, and bus lines. He said two other sites, which are greenfields are also under consideration.
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Madison won’t offer the same kind of deal for the company that is being considered at the state level, according to Soglin.
He said the tax incentives being considered by the state Legislature are “over the top,” adding the city is “not at all interested in participating in a ‘race to the bottom’ in regards to competing with financial incentives that are not viable for this community.”
There have also been environmental concerns over the state’s proposal, as the deal would waive a number of environmental regulations. Soglin said the city of Madison has “absolutely no intention” to loosen environmental rules “in any location” that is being considered.
Although he does not know what the potential Dane County site would manufacture, Soglin said the plant could create around 600 jobs. But, at this point Soglin has not discussed the matter with representatives from Foxconn or the state government.
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