GM feeling pressure in D.C. as well
JANESVILLE — While local officials were meeting with General Motors officials in Detroit, four members of Wisconsin’s congressional delegation met in Washington, D.C., on Friday with GM CEO Rick Wagoner.
Both meetings were meant to press Janesville’s case for continued use of the Janesville GM plant.
Meeting with Wagoner were Sen. Russ Feingold, D-Wis.; Sen. Herb Kohl, D-Wis., and Rep. Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis.
Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wis., was invited but instead attended the meeting in Detroit.
The Congress members presented Wagoner a letter of support for the effort in Detroit, signed all four of them.
At the meeting, “we made clear what a tremendous asset the people of Janesville’s GM plant are to GM, and how important GM jobs are to the Janesville community,” the delegation said in a news release.
“We had a good discussion with Mr. Wagoner, and he said that GM will seriously review the Janesville incentive package that was presented today in Detroit. We will continue to do everything we can, in coordination with the governor and the GM Retention Task Force, to support the hard working people of Janesville,” the statement continues.
Feingold said in an earlier news release that if GM won’t reconsider its decision to close the plant, he would ask Wagoner “to do all it can to help Janesville find a productive use for its GM facility, such as helping to bring in another company or industry … It’s the least GM can do for the decades of hard work this community has provided.”
Wagoner was in Washington, D.C., on Friday to attend a Senate energy summit.
While officials have said little about the proposal that was presented in Detroit on Friday, a letter from Kohl, Feingold, Baldwin and Ryan mentions “a forward-thinking, multi-pronged effort. One prong in that effort has been to craft an aggressive incentive package detailing, among other things, the business advantages that Janesville’s workers and location can offer GM should the company maintain its presence in Janesville …
“This plan includes a highly skilled workforce and creative business leaders that recognize the growth potential of a greener economy and that have the ability to help GM retool in order to build more fuel-efficient vehicles.”
Sep 15, 2008 at 3:35 p.m.
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The Janesville Project
Investment- 5 Billion $$$ In 10 Years
Investment Source- International, Federal, State, County & Private Funds
Purpose- To bring new alternative energy sources into production, including, but not limited to, vehicle propulsion, household wind & solar applications, high capacity storage devices, etc. A cooperative effort between industry, government and education/research institutions to construct a clearinghouse for alternative energy development and production.
First Project- Create a non-fossil fuel propulsion engine to replace mid-size to large diesel engines within 3 years and autos in 5 years, including retro-fit engines for current vehicles. In 4 years Janesville would be producing the first GM AE mid-duty trucks on the current truck line.
Research & Development- The brightest scientists, engineers, & support staff from around the world would relocate to Janesville and this area would become the international center for alternative energy development. Research would start January ’09 with federal and state funding.
Manufacturing- Just as UW Research Park was built around the visionary ingenuity of UW researchers, Janesville would become an incubator for manufacturing production facilities throughout the Stateline area and beyond.
Sep 15, 2008 at 7:14 a.m.
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Bigroadie news flash GM already has a plant in Mexico so they wouldn't have to build one and just incase you missed it they closed it also.
Sep 13, 2008 at 9:41 p.m.
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With the WDNR, Wisconsin's anti-business tax strong hold. Wisconsin being a non right to work state. GM Janesville's distance from parts suppliers. Don't hold your breath on getting a new product for GM's oldest plant. GM will build there next factory in China or Mexico, that's reality!!!!!!
Sep 13, 2008 at 1:06 p.m.
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I too hope this works, but frankly, Kohl, Feingold and Baldwin are exactly the wrong politicians to approach a capitalist like the GM CEO.
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These 3 big-government politicians, particularly Feingold and Baldwin, know nothing - and are acutally hostile - towards free enterprise, job creation and industry.
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Having said that, they must have clout on the various committees they sit on and perhaps can do some good for my friends and family over there in Rock County.
Sep 13, 2008 at 9:45 a.m.
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I hope this works, and I hope people realize how it is important for the entire area.
Sep 13, 2008 at 1:47 a.m.
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Good luck to all at G.M.,Hope the meeting has an impact on your lives,and your future in G.M. And IF you do get a new product,i hope you all have taken notes,to WHO you want on your sides,to represent you. The ones that bailed on you,i hope you never re-elect them. They were,and are,ONLY out for them selves!
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