Gov. Doyle: Announces Mercury Marine to bring 200 new jobs to Fond du Lac

Contact: Laura Smith, Office of the Governor, 608-261-2162

MADISON – Governor Jim Doyle today announced $5 million in performance-based incentives for Mercury Marine to bring 200 new jobs to Fond du Lac. Mercury Marine originally planned to locate the 200 assembly jobs in Mexico, but Governor Doyle worked closely with the company to ensure those jobs came to Wisconsin instead.

“It is great that Mercury Marine has agreed to move these 200 jobs originally slated for Mexico to Fond du Lac,” Governor Doyle said. “The company’s decision recognizes the strength of Wisconsin’s workforce and economy and shows that Wisconsin can compete with Mexico or any other location in the world to attract new jobs and investment. We have worked hard to make sure that Wisconsin is a great place to do business.”

Governor Doyle played an important role in helping Mercury Marine consolidate its operations in Fond du Lac, retaining nearly 2,000 jobs in Wisconsin and bringing new jobs to the state. With the consolidation of the facilities and market growth, employment is expected to grow to more than 2,500.

Since taking office in 2003, Governor Doyle has worked aggressively to create and retain jobs in Wisconsin. Governor Doyle’s budget last year created some of the strongest economic development tools in the nation to help businesses create jobs and get people back to work. Wisconsin now has powerful new tax credits to help manufacturers create and retain jobs, new tools to help investors create start-ups, and new incentives to spur research and development. Governor Doyle’s efforts have helped Wisconsin companies expand and create thousands of new jobs in communities throughout the state.