Dozens of companies stand to benefit from the first phase of development for Foxconn in Racine County.
Monday, Gov. Scott Walker announced the 27 companies during a swing throughout the state. The companies are subcontractors for Foxconn’s construction manager Gilbane.
One of the companies receiving part of the $100 million from the project is A.W. Oakes and Son. The Racine-based company has been in business for four generations and stands to grow because of the Foxconn project.
“We have a 100 to 150 employees and I’m hoping to grow another 20 to 25 percent in the first year,” said Dan Oakes, president.
The project is the state’s largest economic development project and one of the largest in US history based on jobs. Oakes says it’s a once in a lifetime opportunity.
Oakes’ vice president and Mt. Pleasant native Kevin Hokanson said, “it’s a job that we’ll never see again in our lifetime… it’s a cooperation of so many different companies and so many people coming together to create a situation that can build something like this.”
Racine based CASE Construction Equipment Vice President Scott Harris says the company has already moved new equipment into the area for dealers to sell and rent for construction.
Harris said, “today there is renewed optimism as we reflect on what it means for all of us to welcome another world-class organization like Foxconn to our area.”
Construction is already underway on the land off Braun Road in Mt. Pleasant. Once the land is ready, crews could start construction on buildings later this year. The $10 billion project is expected to be completed and up and running in 2021, employing more than 10,000 people.
