Wisconsin kicks in $4M for Harley growth

MADISON, Wis., Dec. 2 (UPI) -- Wisconsin upped its offer to aid Harley-Davidson by about $1 million after workers vetoed concessions the company said it needed to expand in the state.

The motorcycle company will get $4.5 million in state income tax credits if it invests at least $300 million and creates at least 200 more full-time jobs in the state by 2010, Commerce Secretary Mary Burke and company officials said.

Before the union rejected the company's offer in October, the state was offering about $3.5 million, Burke told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. During a second vote in November, union workers agreed to accepted smaller cuts in exchange for the expansion, freeing up additional funds.

The credits are part of the state's enterprise development zone program. About $1 million will be used to defer training costs for up to 200 new workers. The rest will support training and retention of full-time positions at all Wisconsin Harley facilities, Burke said.

The company will notify the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development, Job Service offices and area Private Industry Councils of job openings. It is not required to hire from those pools.

Harley's Wisconsin operations include Tomahawk, Menomonee Falls, Wauwatosa, Franklin and Milwaukee.