Assembly Minority Leader Gordon Hintz says Foxconn failing to qualify for the first round of state tax credits is the latest sign the company is scaling back from its original plans for the Wisconsin plant.

 

The company wrote in the letter to WEDC CEO Mark Hogan that it remains committed to creating 13,000 jobs in Wisconsin, though “we have adjusted our recruitment and hiring timeline.”

 

Hintz, a frequent critic of the incentive package, questioned if the company’s past pronouncements were indeed indicative of its plans or more geared toward helping Gov. Scott Walker in his failed re-election bid. The company acknowledged this summer the Racine County plant, at least initially, would build smaller screens than originally proposed.

 

“It’s time we get some transparency on just what is happening and what the public can expect from Foxconn or WEDC,” Hintz said.

 

On Friday, Foxconn reported it had failed to create enough jobs last year to qualify for the first round of tax credits under a nearly $3 billion package the Walker administration negotiated with the Taiwanese manufacturer to build a plant in southeastern Wisconsin.

 

The company could still qualify for the first year of credits under its contract if it hits future goals.

 

The company reported to WEDC CEO Mark Hogan last week that it created 1,032 jobs in support of the project with 178 of those meeting the requirement for the tax credits included in the incentive package.

 

But that was 82 jobs short of the minimum 260 needed to qualify for the credits.

 

See more at WisBusiness.com.

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