VILLAGE, CITY APPROVE INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT

The Mount Pleasant Village Board voted to provide final approval on the comprehensive intergovernmental agreement developed by the City of Racine, Racine Water Utility and Village of Mount Pleasant. The agreement ensures that infrastructure costs associated with the Foxconn development are funded through the company's $10 billion investment , via Mount Pleasant TID 5, and will not impact other municipalities or Utility ratepayers. The agreement also provides additional funding to the City of Racine to support the City's transit and public safety systems and enables an 85+% reduction in the REC fee to foster increased development throughout the area.

The Racine Common Council also approved the agreement. "This is a transformational agreement and a game-changer for our community," said Racine County Executive Jonathan Delagrave. " The agreement promotes economic development, while protecting City and Village taxpayers. It is a testament to the importance of municipalities working together to develop common-sense solutions that benefit our entire community." For more information about the agreement, click here .

RACINE COUNTY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS RECEIVE MORE THAN $700K IN WISCONSIN FAST FORWARD GRANT FUNDING

Funding will help prepare residents and businesses for region's extraordinary job growth

Racine County Executive Jonathan Delagrave, Department of Workforce Development (DWD) Secretary Ray Allen and Racine Mayor Cory Mason were recently joined by other local and state officials to announce the award of more than $700,000 in Wisconsin Fast Forward grant funding to Racine County-based entities to assist with worker training initiatives in Racine County . The funding includes $400,000 to Racine Area Manufacturers and Commerce and $314,103 to Racine County to train unemployed and underemployed individuals for positions such as CNC operators/programmers, logistics technicians, truck drivers, electronic assemblers, construction/carpentry builders, industrial maintenance technicians, manufacturing operators, customer service specialists, hospitality specialists, and other high-demand career opportunities. " We are working hard to help our valued Racine County businesses find skilled talent in today's job market . Bringing more than $700,000 in Wisconsin Fast Forward grant funding to Racine County is a tremendous boost for our local businesses and residents and will help ensure that everyone benefits in this historic new era for our community ," said Racine County Executive Jonathan Delagrave. Read more in the Racine Journal Times .

GATEWAY BREAKS GROUND ON SC JOHNSON IMET CENTER EXPANSION

Gateway Technical College, alongside Governor Scott Walker, Foxconn Technology Group Director of U.S. Strategic Initiatives Alan Yeung and other local and state partners, recently broke ground on a $6.5 million expansion for its SC Johnson Integrated Manufacturing and Engineering Technology (iMET) Center. " Investment in our SC Johnson iMET Center will strengthen the workforce by providing new opportunities for training in advanced manufacturing and engineering ," said Gateway Technical College President Bryan Albrecht. The expansion will support the growth and needs of Wisconn Valley employers through advanced training in Industry 4.0 careers. The work will add 35,779 square feet to the center's current 61,238 square feet and will include renovations to existing spaces. Read more in the Racine Journal Times .

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION ISSUED FOR FOXCONN LOGISTICS NEEDS

JUSDA USA, a member of Foxconn Technology Group, has issued a Request for Information (RFI) on the Wisconsin Supply Chain Marketplace in the categories of transportation, logistics, and warehousing. The RFI is for asset-based dry van, flatbed, reefer, and specialized carriers to move inbound/outbound product. JUSDA USA is seeking to identify companies that handle special project cargo and machinery moving/rigging. "As Foxconn identifies the supply chain needs for its $10 billion Wisconn Valley Science and Technology Park in Mount Pleasant, the Supply Chain Marketplace is a great avenue to find Wisconsin companies that are able to provide the goods and services needed for this project," said Brian Jackson, Director of Surface Transportation for JUSDA USA.  Companies are encouraged to create a profile at  wisupplychainmarketplace.com  and indicate their interest in Foxconn to be notified when related postings are available. Additional details on the RFI here:  Request for Information - Foxconn Logistic Needs .

RCEDC, U.S.-CHINA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE HOST CROSS-CULTURAL TRAINING

Last week, Racine County Economic Development Corporation (RCEDC) and the U.S. - China Chamber of Commerce held a cross-cultural training session to help Racine County businesses develop a deeper awareness and understanding of social and cultural elements of doing business with companies and individuals from the Greater China Region. The session, led by Chinese native and U.S. - China Chamber of Commerce President Siva Yam, included an overview of the history and economics of Greater China, some tips about cultural dos and don'ts, a brief introduction to Chinese languages and a lesson on business relationships and practices in China. " Make a show of carefully examining business cards ," advised Yam. "Never merely place the card in your pocket. Then, if seated, place the card on the table." Read more about takeaways from the cross-cultural training session in the Racine Journal Times . To download the presentation, click here .

INVITATIONS TO BID ON WORK ASSOCIATED WITH THE FOXCONN PROJECT

There are several upcoming opportunities for companies to bid on work associated with the Foxconn development in the Village of Mount Pleasant. Invitations to bid include: Foxconn’s Industrial Construction Work Phase 1, Area 1 of Wisconn Valley Science and Technology Park, Mount Pleasant, WI. Reference: Bid Release 3b – Site Roadways and Associated Storm Drainage Job No. V08108. More information here. Foxconn’s Industrial Construction Work Phase 1, Area 1 of Wisconn Valley Science and Technology Park, Mount Pleasant, WI. Reference: Bid Release 3c – Electrical Substation Job No. V08108. More information here. To stay updated on bid opportunities as they become available, sign up to receive notifications from Wisconn Valley News.

UPCOMING MEETINGS / EVENTS On October 29, WEDC will host two additional Supplier Readiness Sessions in Milwaukee at We Energies, 231 W. Michigan Street. The first session will take place from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m., and the second session will take place from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Advanced registration is required. On November 19 , the next monthly Foxconn Project Briefing will take place at 6:00 p.m. at Mount Pleasant Village Hall (8811 Campus Drive). A live stream of the meeting will be available on our website, FoxconnRacineCounty.com . Questions can be submitted at the meeting, via Facebook Live or in advance on the website. Upcoming meetings and events can be found in the  event calendar  on our website, FoxconnRacineCounty.com .