Wisconsin board clears way for $3 billion Foxconn deal

Wisconsin`s economic development agency on Wednesday approved a $3 billion incentives package for Taiwan-based Foxconn to build a massive liquid-crystal display plant in the state, Governor Scott Walker said.

The vote by the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation clears a final hurdle for the controversial deal, in which Foxconn hopes to open a $10 billion plant in 2020 at a 1,000-acre site in southeastern Wisconsin.

Foxconn, formerly known as Hon Hai Precision Industry Co Ltd, is a major supplier to Apple Inc for its iPhones.

"WEDC`s board approved the deal with Foxconn. Wisconsin is ready to welcome the world’s largest electronics contract manufacturer to Wisconsin and the United States!," Walker said on Twitter.

The governor told local media he intends to sign the incentive package, which was approved by the Republican-controlled state Assembly in August, at a ceremony with the company`s chief executive officer on Friday.

Walker ordered the legislature into special session in August to consider the incentives package, which would award Foxconn $3 billion over 15 years in mostly cash incentives.

The 20-million-square-foot LCD plant would initially employ 3,000 people, but Walker and Foxconn said the company could ultimately employ 13,000 at the site.

Proponents have touted the project`s investment potential and job creation, including an expected 22,000 ancillary and 10,000 construction jobs.

Critics, including some Democrats, have attacked the plan as corporate welfare, too expensive, rushed and potentially harmful to the environment.