Costs up, plans shrink for Foxconn plant

And so it begins. With a ceremonial gold shovel dug into the ground, the construction of what could be Wisconsin’s largest private sector employer is officially underway. President Trump, Governor Walker, House Speaker Paul Ryan and others helped commemmorate the groundbreaking for the Foxconn Technology plant in southeastern Wisconsin. We certainly hope the project pays off. After all, there is much on the line. Taxpayers are already on the hook for over $4 billion of the investment into what is scheduled to be a $10 billion facility that could employ 13,000 people. It is the largest subsidy by any state to a private employer ever in the U.S. Since the deal was made, costs have risen, environmental regulations have been waived, and now comes word that th eplans are significantly different from the initial agreement. Rather than building a plant to make giant flat screen LED panels, the company now confirms Foxconn will instead build a smaller plant that makes significantly smaller display panels. Foxconn had denied reports just two weeks ago its Wisconsin footprint would be shrinking. That is hardly encouraging. If these promises pan out, Wisconsin could have much to gain. But if they don’t, Wisconsin taxpayers could be losers like never before.