Spanish train car assembly plant could locate in Rock County
Podcast Episode
WCLO's Steve Benton reports on efforts in Rock County to be picked as the site for a high speed train car assembly facility
ROCK COUNTY — Rock County's Economic Development Director, James Otterstein, thinks Janesville is the ideal place for a Spanish train maker to locate an assembly facility.
Governor Jim Doyle announced July 17th the state signed a $47 million deal with Talgo to build two 14-car high speed passenger trains in the state. Several areas in the state are vying for that facility.
Otterstein says there are existing, vacant buildings in Janesville that would be perfect for this type of operation. While Otterstein isn't sure about the final decision, he thinks Rock County is on Talgo's "short list."
The plan is to ship train car parts to Wisconsin where they would be assembled and the interiors completed. A minimum of 55 jobs would be created.
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By GAZETTE STAFF 05/15/12
Jul 28, 2009 at 6:36 p.m.
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I doubt the GM plant would be used as it's still owned by GM and I believe they list it as an asset that can't be sold in their bankrupcy papers. The old lsi/tnt building would be a more viable option ,I believe, as it has the rail stur and most likely the more correct amount of space for such a project.
Jul 28, 2009 at 5:01 p.m.
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mark_twain, despite the perennial complaint that Wisconsin is anti-business and high-tax, it ranks closer to the middle than to the bottom on both scores.
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The deal is for new trainsets for an existing rail route. They will cost us $47 million assembled, with finishing to take place here. It is not money for (make-work) jobs, it is money for new train cars, and a pilot project that could lead to more business in the future as the Midwest rail initiative expands and perhaps other buyers as well. Better that money is spent in Wisconsin than in some other state or overseas.
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TheJoker may be right. At the least GM would have to agree to lease the plant to Talgo America. At some point you have to cut bait.
Jul 28, 2009 at 4:16 p.m.
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This new assembly plant will be in the old GM plant. However, if we want them to come, we have to tell GM to take us off the "standby" list.
Jul 28, 2009 at 3:55 p.m.
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It seems anytime something positive might happen for Janesville and Rock County, the naysayers come out in force. We have a community of hard working people and they deserve a chance, any chance that may bring employment their way. We have way too many empty buildings that could be used for many things and we need to put out a positive spin on what a great community this is and what benefit for a company to establish an operation here. We are not going to create 3,000 jobs overnight, but we have to start somewhere. It is great that people are out there questioning and providing input on what they have found out. But, if we keep saying no to everything proposed, we may as well close the door and turn the lights off.
Jul 28, 2009 at 3:02 p.m.
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Um... I read that as Taigo is paying $47mil to the state to have the rail trains assembled and the interiors finished.
Jul 28, 2009 at 2:33 p.m.
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Mark this a done deal if we get the stim funds. Wisconsin will buy the trains if they are built here. Quid pro quo
Jul 28, 2009 at 2:23 p.m.
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Sorry Mark this is a done deal if we get the stim money. Wisconsin will purchase the trains from them if they are built here. quid pro quo
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