A sales tax is being discussed at the county level to help fund projects spurred on by a 20 million square foot manufacturing campus that Foxconn Technology Group wants to build.
Racine County has the ability to tack on a half-percent local tax on top of the 5 percent sales tax. It is among a handful of counties that have yet to charge the tax.
Governor Scott Walker signed a $3 billion 15-year tax incentive package to establish Wisconnn Valley, which is where electronics manufacturer Foxconn Technology Group is expected to construct a $10 billion manufacturing campus. Hinged on Foxconn making capital expenditures and hiring employees at the plant, the tax incentive package is expected spur 10,000 construction jobs and 3,000 permanent hires to work at the plant.
The county issued the following statement:
“Racine County is carefully evaluating numerous funding options to support the once-in-a-generation investment being considered by Foxconn and the unprecedented benefits that investment would bring to Racine County residents. At this preliminary stage of exploration, it would be premature to comment on specifics. However, it is important to note that as we consider all of our options, we will continue to maintain our commitment to fiscal conservatism and to ensuring the best deal for county taxpayers.”
The Taiwanese-based company wants to make LCD screens.
Some Land, Property Owners Collectively Hire Lawyer
The location of the manufacturing facility has not officially been named. However, the Village of Mount Pleasant hired a project coordinator for the Foxconn project earlier this month. The village also requested that the Racine Water and Wastewater Utility expand and extend water and sewer capacity for an anticipated development.
Racine County Eye spoke with Thomas Devine, the attorney representing about 25 to 30 home and landowners that live south of Highway 11, west of Airline Road, north of Braun Road and east of Interstate 94. They have all received letters from an interested party indicating that they would like the option to buy their property.
But all of Devine’s clients have decided not to take the option. Some of the families have lived on their land for generations. They would rather remain on their familial land if possible, he said.
Still, the sales process has not been defined.
“We’re waiting for the decision to move forward with the purchase of the land,” Devine said. “We’re waiting to understand what the purchase process is going to be.”
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