FOXCONN PURCHASES DOWNTOWN RACINE PROPERTY TO SUPPORT "SMART CITY" INITIATIVES ACROSS WISCONSIN

Foxconn Technology Group recently  announced the purchase of One Main Centre in downtown Racine for the development of  Foxconn Place Racine and Wisconn Valley Innovation Center.   Located at One Main Street, Foxconn Place Racine will encompass a state-of-the-art co-working space and become a model for smart city pilot programs that leverage and reflect the transformational technologies to be built and enabled by Foxconn . Together with the Wisconn Valley Science and Technology Park at Mount Pleasant, the center will connect businesses and higher education institutions within the region to help create an AI 8K+5G ecosystem in Wisconsin. Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation Secretary and CEO Mark R. Hogan, Wisconsin Department of Administration Secretary Ellen Nowak, Racine Mayor Cory Mason, and Racine County Executive Jonathan Delagrave joined Foxconn for the announcement. For more information about Foxconn Place Racine, click here .

FOXCONN KICKS OFF SMART CITIES – SMART FUTURES COMPETITION

On Monday, Foxconn celebrated the start of its statewide Smart Cities – Smart Futures competition . The competition, aimed at generating new ideas from students, faculty and staff at Wisconsin universities, colleges and technical colleges, began on Oct. 1. " Smart city ideas and solutions are integral to realizing our shared vision of building an attractive environment for talent and investment, and transforming Wisconsin into a global high-tech hub,” said Dr. Alan Yeung, Director of U.S. Strategic Initiatives, Foxconn. “The Smart Cities – Smart Futures competition aims to inspire exciting ideas that harness technology to enhance quality of life and contribute to Wisconsin’s vibrant and sustainable development. The initiative is also part of Foxconn’s commitment to nurture and enable talent to tap the immense opportunities for innovation in Wisconn Valley.” Individuals and teams are encouraged to develop proposals to improve and enhance living and working environments, promote attractive streetscapes, transportation networks and living spaces, and increase sustainability. The call for initial proposals runs from Oct. 1 to Oct. 31, and up to 100 entries will be chosen to receive a $500 award and move on to the next round of competition, where up to 50 entries will be selected to receive a $1,500 award. In the third round of the competition, the results of which will be announced in spring 2019, up to 16 entries will receive $5,000. Complete timeline and eligibility requirements are available  online.

MORE THAN 400 INDIVIDUALS ATTENDED SUPPLIER READINESS SESSIONS

Throughout September, the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC), in partnership with regional economic development corporations, Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce, Wisconsin Center for Manufacturing & Productivity, Wisconsin Manufacturing Extension Partnership, Foxconn Technology Group and the state's regional economic development organizations, hosted five informational sessions to discuss the steps companies interested in becoming a Foxconn supplier will need to take . More than 400 individuals attended these free informational sessions , held in Pewaukee, Platteville, Sturtevant, Green Bay and Madison. Future sessions will be scheduled for Milwaukee and Superior. To be considered for future Foxconn supply chain needs, create a profile on wisupplychainmarketplace.com .

FOXCONN LAUNCHES JOBS WEBSITE

Foxconn is currently recruiting for positions that cover a variety of areas, skillsets and expertise, including: human resources; engineers in hardware, software, firmware; research scientists; accountants; legal assistants; business analysts; facilities managers; interior designers; construction managers; and sales and marketing professionals. For more information about open positions, visit FoxconnJobs.us .

MONTEMURRO: "WATER AGREEMENT WILL BE A DIFFERENCE MAKER"

Matt Montemurro, President and CEO of Racine Area Manufacturers and Commerce (RAMAC) recently shared his perspective on the impact the proposed Intergovernmental Agreement between the City of Racine, Racine Water Utility and Village of Mount Pleasant would have on development in Racine County. "One of the barriers to development is the current Residential Equivalent Connection fee required for new developments in the City of Racine, Village of Mount Pleasant and Village of Sturtevant to connect to public water service," said Montemurro. "Recently, however, the City of Racine, Racine Water Utility and Village of Mount Pleasant worked diligently to create a comprehensive intergovernmental agreement that, in part, does just that. If approved, the agreement will dramatically reduce the REC fee.The reduced REC fee will be critical to future growth in Racine County. The significantly lower fee will encourage more businesses to invest in new developments, both large and small, in the Racine County area." The full commentary is available in the Racine Journal Times .

FOXCONN PLANS FOR DOWNTOWN GREEN BAY INNOVATION CENTER TAKING SHAPE

Foxconn announced in June that it would expand its Wisconn Valley Innovation Network to Green Bay with an Innovation Center. As reported in the Green Bay Press-Gazette , plans for that downtown Green Bay Innovation Center are taking shape. “Foxconn Technology Group plans to take one floor of the Watermark building as well as vacant first-floor retail space for its Green Bay innovation center,” reported the Press-Gazette. "The Taiwanese manufacturer plans to occupy 16,700 square feet of space in the building it plans to rename Foxconn Place Green Bay." Read more in the Green Bay Press-Gazette .

DEVELOPER AIMS FOR APARTMENT AFFORDABILITY AROUND FOXCONN

With Foxconn's $10 billion investment in advanced manufacturing in Racine County will come thousands of employees, many of whom will be new residents of the region. As reported by the Milwaukee Business Journal , two developers are stepping up to seize the opportunity to build apartments in the Village of Mount Pleasant, where needs are soon expected to outgrow the current housing stock. Site plans for the projects show buildings with 680 or more new apartments. One proposed by Milwaukee developer Wangard Partners Inc. is west of 90th Street, close to Mount Pleasant Village Hall. The second project, by Brookfield-based Korndoerfer Homes, would cover 60 acres at 7222 Braun Road. Learn more about these developments in the Milwaukee Business Journal .

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: Village of Mount Pleasant Demolition Work: Bid Package D - Building Demolition, County Highway KR including Braun Road east of County Highway H. 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 3a – Site Utilities and Logistics 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 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 4 at 7:00 p.m., Carthage College will host a panel discussion on economic development in Southeast Wisconsin. Former Maine Governor and U.S. Congressman John E. Baldacci, Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett, Kenosha Mayor John Antaramian, Carthage College President John Swallow, and RCEDC Executive Director Jenny Trick will form the panel. On October 13 , Foxconn will hold a hiring fair from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. at 13315 Globe Drive in the Village of Mount Pleasant. Pre-registration is required, click here to RSVP. On October 15 , 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. On October 18 , the U.S.-China Chamber fo Commerce will host a cross-cultural training session at Gateway Technical College's SC Johnson iMET Center (2320 Renaissance Blvd). Upcoming meetings and events can be found in the  event calendar  on our website, FoxconnRacineCounty.com .