Marquette Law School poll: Voters skeptical of Foxconn deal

The results of the Marquette University Law School poll show many Wisconsin voters are skeptical about impacts of Foxconn reaching their part of the state.

Of the 800 registered voters polled between Feb. 25 and March 1, 49 percent said the state is paying more in incentives than the plant is worth, while 38 percent say the plant will bring at least as much value as the incentives are worth. A further 13 percent say they’re not sure if the plant will be worth it.

Thirteen thousand direct jobs are being promised for the state’s $3 billion investment into the planned manufacturing facility in southeastern Wisconsin. Only 25 percent of respondents expect local businesses to benefit from the Foxconn plant, while 66 percent say they will not.

Statewide, 57 percent of voters believe the Foxconn plant will substantially improve the Milwaukee area’s economy, while 35 percent disagree and 8 percent aren’t sure.

Most regions of the state recorded relatively low optimism for Foxconn’s impact on local businesses.

In the City of Milwaukee, 27 percent expect Foxconn to benefit nearby businesses, while 57 percent do not. In the greater Milwaukee area, 37 percent expect benefits to local businesses, while 58 percent do not.

In Madison, 20 percent expect nearby businesses to benefit from Foxconn, while 72 percent do not. In Green Bay, 22 percent expect businesses to benefit, while 69 percent do not.

And in the northwest, optimism is at its lowest. Seventeen percent expect local businesses to benefit, while 74 percent do not.

The poll also shows many voters are worried about Foxconn’s impact on the state’s water and environmental quality. Twenty-nine percent say they are very concerned; 33 percent say they are somewhat concerned.

By comparison, 18 percent say they’re not very concerned, and 14 percent say they’re not at all concerned.

Both in the City of Milwaukee and in the Madison media market, city residents are more likely than regional counterparts to say the Foxconn deal is worth it.

In every region of the state except within the City of Milwaukee, majorities say they believe the Foxconn project will substantially boost the Milwaukee area economy.

See the full results:
http://law.marquette.edu/poll/

–By Alex Moe
WisBusiness.com