Written by Alexis Steagall, Editor in Chief
Contract: a written or spoken agreement, especially one concerning employment, sales, or tenancy that is intended to be enforceable by law.
In 2017, former Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker signed a contract with the Taiwanese screen manufacturing company known as Foxconn. The signing of this document granted Foxconn the ability to develop a $10 billion factory in Mount Pleasant, Wis. The development of this company promised Wisconsinites 13,000 jobs, intending to bring fame and fortune to the little-known Southeastern state.
June of 2018 brought shock to America as President Donald Trump touched a shovel for the first time in his life, (granted, it was a glistening golden shovel) as he turned dirt on the construction site. President Trump claims the project was “the most incredible thing he’s ever seen.”
Now, in 2019, Kenosha residents fear their $3 billion investment may go down the drain as Foxconn white-outs promises of developing a manufacturing site. They “failed to realize” that labor expenses in the U.S. greatly differ from those in Japan.
As an alternative, Foxconn offers a new development revolving around technology research and development, requiring highly skilled engineers and researchers. This disproportionate substitute is highly considered a threat to a city made up of mostly blue-collar workers.
So far, Foxconn has disrupted locals with house demolitions, unnecessary road construction, and environmental legal issues. Concerns continue to rise as their promises and contracts are up in the air. Now’s the time to ask: What’s next?
You may be thinking: Why should this concern me? Although you may be in high school, by the time Foxconn is set to begin its journey in 2021, you may be looking for a job to start your life. Consider yourself not only a part of a community, but a part of a community trying to bloom. Is Foxconn trustworthy enough to provide for Kenosha? Would you put your faith in a company that evades laws and pulls contracts? From a local’s point of view, it seems that Foxconn is nothing but a promise of false hope for a community hoping to thrive in new opportunities.