For those who don’t remember, the Foxconn project in Wisconsin was an investment by the tech giant to build a massive LCD factory in Mount Pleasant. Announced to much fanfare in 2017, the project was billed as a $10 billion investment that would bring 13,000 new jobs to the area. But in the ensuing years, it essentially flopped and is now largely considered a failure.
But this isn’t the end of the line. The White House on Wednesday announced a $3.3 billion investment by Microsoft to build an AI data center on the site. Part of President Joe Biden’s Investing in America initiative, this project is expected to create 2,300 union construction jobs and 2,000 permanent jobs. Biden even traveled to Mount Pleasant to join Microsoft in making the announcement.
“This is a watershed moment for Wisconsin and a critical part of our work to build a 21st-century workforce and economy in the Badger State,” said Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers. “Microsoft is a blue-chip corporation that recognizes the strength of Wisconsin’s workers, infrastructure, economy, and our quality of life. Microsoft has chosen to locate and invest here because they know the future is here in Wisconsin.”
