Governor Doyle Column: Creating Wisconsin Jobs, Renewing American Sea Power

Statement

As our nation recovers from the worst economic times since the Great Depression, we have taken aggressive action in Wisconsin to find opportunities for businesses to create jobs. While we have seen successes at companies like Mercury Marine and Republic Airways, we must continue supporting our businesses and workers.

We are actively working with companies across the state, including Marinette Marine, one of two finalists for a Navy contract to design and build the next generation of American warships, the Littoral Combat Ship (LCS). The project would put Marinette Marine on the map for decades. Most importantly, it would create up to 2,200 new jobs at the company's northeast Wisconsin facility and thousands more at suppliers in the region.

As Governor I have made it a priority to help Marinette Marine succeed and create thousands of jobs. At my direction, the Departments of Commerce, Workforce Development and the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority created a $49 million incentive package through a series of tax credits.

The economic impact this Navy contract could have on Wisconsin cannot be understated. An economic study of the LCS project found it would create nearly 16,000 jobs nationwide, with 5,000 of those jobs right here in Wisconsin. More than 250 Wisconsin businesses, many of them small businesses, would supply goods or services to help Marinette Marine build these ships. In terms of job creation and economic impact, the LCS project would be like bringing a big new auto plant to northeast Wisconsin.

A successful bid by Marinette would go a long way in reinvigorating the shipbuilding and maritime engineering industries on the Great Lakes. And, because Wisconsin is home to most highly-skilled, well-trained workers in the nation, we are uniquely qualified to lead next generation of American sea power.

Marinette Marine is no stranger to the LCS project, having already built and launched the first Littoral Combat Ship, the U.S.S. Freedom. Since its initial deployment, the U.S.S. Freedom has won high marks from its crew and the Navy personnel, particularly for its work in fighting drug trafficking in the western Caribbean on its maiden voyage to San Diego. During this time, the ship and its crew completed four successful drug interdictions, seizing more than five tons of cocaine and capturing 13 suspected drug smugglers. I am proud of the contribution Marinette Marine and its employees have already made to secure the safety of international waters and to stop the drug trade.

This is an important partnership for Wisconsin, and a successful bid by Marinette Marine would contribute to the long-term health of our state economy. The incentive package we developed will help cover payroll and worker training costs, and provide investments in a plant or equipment. This investment, made through tax credits and not a cash payment, will more than pay for itself with a successful bid by Marinette.

Later this summer, the Navy will select a design and award a contract to build the Littoral Combat Ships. Working with Marinette Marine, and their parent companies Lockheed Martin and Fincantieri, we can bring thousands of jobs to Wisconsin's and put one of our great companies on the map.

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