MILWAUKEE, Sept. 17 (UPI) -- Harley-Davidson Inc. will receive $25 million in state tax credits for keeping its factories in Wisconsin, the U.S. Department of Commerce said Friday.
The Friday announcement comes four days after Harley employees ratified new seven-year labor agreements heavy with concessions but intended to keep production work in the state, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported.
The company had threatened to move its motorcycle production and more than 1,000 jobs out of the state if it could not get favorable labor contracts, the newspaper said.
Other states had been wooing Harley with generous incentives and promised lower labor costs.
The incentive package gives Harley tax credits in exchange for keeping jobs in Wisconsin, Commerce Department officials said.
Wisconsin Gov. Jim Doyle said state officials worked closely with Harley-Davidson.
"We have a very good business climate," Doyle said. "But in the world we live in, we are at the table dealing with real, practical, competitive issues with other states. We are often competing with other states for retaining jobs and where jobs will be consolidated."
The tax credits for Harley are linked to jobs, capital investments and purchases from in-state suppliers.
The company won't get the full amount of credits if it does not meet certain requirements, Doyle said.
