FOND DU LAC, Wis. (AP) — Gov. Jim Doyle says dissuading outboard-engine maker Mercury Marine Inc. from moving its Fond du Lac operations to Oklahoma could cost state taxpayers $70 million.
That's in addition to a $50 million loan funded by Fond du Lac County sales tax and $3 million from the City of Fond du Lac.
In return, the outboard-engine maker is expected to retain several thousand jobs in the Fox Valley.
Last summer, Wisconsin and Oklahoma were engaged in a bidding war for Mercury's factories. Last-minute union concessions and proposed government aid persuaded the company to remain in Fond du Lac.
Doyle says the $70 million in state assistance comes mostly in the form of refundable tax credits. He says the company won't get the full amount if it does not retain 2,700 jobs.
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