Big things are happening in Franklin, Wisconsin, where Yaskawa America is planting its roots in a major way. Milwaukee County Supervisor Patti Logsdon was in attendance, standing alongside Governor Tony Evers and key community figures to announce Yaskawa America’s hefty $180 million investment into the region on June 13. This significant move will see the company's North American headquarters relocated to Franklin, consolidating their Illinois and Wisconsin operations.
The scale of this endeavor is not small by any means; Yaskawa is developing an 800,000-square-foot campus intended to serve as its cornerstone in North America over the next ten years. This transition will bolster the local economy with more than 700 high-paying jobs, as reported by a press release issued by Milwaukee County. Supervisor Logsdon, in a statement obtained by Milwaukee County, expressed her deep gratitude: "It was a privilege to attend the event with Governor Evers, Missy Hughes from WEDC, and Mike Knapek of Yaskawa and to celebrate this commitment to our region's future." She emphasized the efforts of former Franklin Mayor Steve Olson, “whose good working relationship with Missy Hughes and Mike Knapek, and early outreach laid the groundwork for today’s announcement.”
The investment details outlined during the press conference are significant. Yaskawa is setting the stage for an influx of positions focused on advanced manufacturing and robotics alongside supportive services. An additional mention was the up to $18 million in performance-based state incentives in the form of Enterprise Zone Tax Credits, which aim to promote this large-scale business engagement.
The regional implications are vast and reaching, with southeastern Wisconsin set to reinforce its standing as a frontrunner in the realms of automation and advanced manufacturing. As outlined by the county's press release, this venture will significantly shape the local landscape, marking an evolution toward a high-tech industrial hub.
