New Wisconn Valley Innovation Center and technology hub will create 150 high-tech jobs, expand company’s footprint to West Central Wisconsin, and accelerate development of AI 8K+5G ecosystem
Eau Claire, WI – Foxconn Technology Group (Foxconn) today announced it is expanding its Wisconn Valley Innovation Network to West Central Wisconsin as part of its initiative to spur innovation, attract talent and connect with supply chain partners. To foster entrepreneurship, Foxconn will invest in and create a technology hub in the heart of Chippewa Valley through the acquisition of a historic office building and creation of innovation and test centers in downtown Eau Claire. The company plans to close on these properties later this year and open new operations in early 2019.
The new centers, to be named Foxconn Place Chippewa Valley, will create at least 150 high- tech jobs in Eau Claire. Employees will work with companies that will become part of Foxconn’s extensive supply chain and contribute to the development of the AI 8K+5G ecosystem that Foxconn is building across the Badger State.
“We are excited to expand our Wisconn Valley footprint to the Chippewa Valley and West Central Wisconsin. Our goal in establishing Foxconn Place here is to help inspire innovative ideas, attract talent and catalyze cutting-edge solutions in this part of the state,” said Alan Yeung, Foxconn’s Director of U.S. Strategic Initiatives and President of FEWI Development Corporation. “Foxconn Place Chippewa Valley will play a key role in building a vibrant AI 8K+5G ecosystem in the U.S., with Wisconsin at the center of this vision.”
Yeung announced the Foxconn expansion to the Chippewa Valley at a news conference today alongside Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker, Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation Secretary and CEO Mark R. Hogan, Momentum West Executive Director Steve Jahn, and Eau Claire City Manager Dale Peters.
“Once again, we’re seeing how Foxconn’s historic investment in Wisconsin is impacting every region of the state as the company makes yet another commitment to both create jobs and support entrepreneurs and innovators,” said Governor Walker. “This is another example of the ‘Foxconn Bonus’ that goes well beyond the company’s $10 billion advanced manufacturing campus in Racine County.”
“Foxconn’s investment in the Chippewa Valley is great news for the region and the entire state as the company continues to demonstrate how its presence in Wisconsin will truly be transformational,” said Mark R. Hogan, Secretary and CEO of the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation. “From the day Foxconn announced it had chosen Wisconsin as the site for its campus, we have talked about the ripple effect that decision would have throughout the state. Today we are again experiencing that ripple effect here in west-central Wisconsin.”
Foxconn Place Chippewa Valley will include two properties. The company has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire ‘The Grand’, a six-story building at 204 E. Grand Ave. in downtown Eau Claire. Constructed in 1929, this building is a prominent part of Eau Claire’s Central Business District and will be updated and converted into an incubator and laboratory for next-generation technological solutions.
Foxconn has also purchased over 15,000 square feet of co-working space at 200 Eau Claire St., in Haymarket Landing, which is a part of the Confluence Project and a major public-private partnership aimed at redeveloping the center of downtown Eau Claire and its riverfront. Foxconn will use this space as an innovation center that will be part of a talent and innovation network for the AI 8K+5G ecosystem that Foxconn is creating in Wisconsin, and in the U.S.
“Establishing Foxconn Place here will connect Foxconn to UW in Eau Claire and Barron County, Chippewa Valley Technical College and the talented workforce across the Valley. In addition to investing in talent development at Foxconn Place Chippewa Valley, we are also turning this technology hub into a smart building and a smart place to learn, work and create.” said Yeung. “This initiative represents a major milestone in Foxconn’s plans to create significant high-tech jobs in Wisconsin, and contribute to Wisconsin’s transformation into a global hub for entrepreneurs and technologists alike – ensuring that our contributions go well beyond the Wisconn Valley Science and Technology Park in Racine County, our North American headquarters in the City of Milwaukee and Foxconn Place at The WaterMark in Green Bay.”
“Although we are early in the process of Foxconn’s development in the state, the company’s commitment to the state as a whole is evident with today’s announcement,” said Steve Jahn, Executive Director of Momentum West, the regional economic development organization encompassing 10 counties in west-central Wisconsin. “We look forward to additional opportunities for business and industry in the Momentum West region of west-central Wisconsin to capitalize on the addition of Foxconn to the state.”
“Eau Claire is a great place for Foxconn’s newest Innovation Center – and Haymarket Landing, one of many UW-Eau Claire innovative partnerships and student residences, provides a vibrant hub for students, faculty and Foxconn employees to connect and create together,” said Chancellor James C. Schmidt of the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. “UW-Eau Claire has long been an economic driver for Western Wisconsin, providing talented graduates in everything from healthcare to high-tech. We are excited to be a partner with Foxconn in exploring together a ‘smart future’ for the Chippewa Valley and for Wisconsin.”
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About Foxconn Technology Group
Established in 1974, Foxconn Technology Group (“Foxconn”), is the global leader in manufacturing services for the computer, communication, and consumer electronics (3C) industry. A multinational company headquartered in Taiwan, Foxconn offers many of the leading U.S. and international companies in electronics a one-stop integrated manufacturing solution. Foxconn generated total annual revenue of $158 billion in 2017 and was ranked No. 27 on the 2017 Fortune magazine Global 500. The company has facilities in Asia, Europe, and the Americas.
Foxconn is leveraging the potential of cloud computing, mobile devices, the Internet of Things, Big Data, artificial intelligence, networks, and robotics and automation, in its transformation as a leading high-tech enterprise and industrial Internet company. The company has research centers and testing laboratories internationally and has received more than 83,500 patents worldwide. In addition to maximizing value creation for customers, Foxconn is also dedicated to enhancing the concept of environmental sustainability in the manufacturing process and serving as a best-practices model for global enterprises.
About FEWI Development Corporation
Headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, FEWI Development Corporation (“FEWI”) is a Foxconn Technology Group company dedicated to planning, developing and investing in strategic programs and initiatives under the auspices of “Foxconn Flying Eagle Project” in Wisconsin. The scope of FEWI includes strategic investments in commercial and residential real estate, as well as launching and managing business operations relating to Foxconn Place and the Wisconn Valley Science and Technology Park.
Media Contact: media@foxconn.com
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