Oshkosh Corp. hopes to open new plant

OSHKOSH - Fresh off almost $4 billion in defense contracts, Oshkosh Corporation is looking for more space.

The company is seeking five million dollars from the City of Oshkosh to build a new electronic painting facility. The state is also expected to chip in $35 million in tax credits and incentives over 12 years. CEO Bob Bohn says the new facility will be needed by the company for the next defense contract and beyond.

"We can also use this facility for other work that we have here in our facilities and also potential new business we can get in the next couple years,” said Bohn.

Oshkosh City Manager Mark Rohloff says the company never threatened to move jobs. He says the city wanted to help the company compete with B-A-E Systems and Navistar, companies that also submitted bids to the department of defense.

"The local governments in those communities were providing incentives to help make their bid more competitive and it's really an issue of trying to help Oshkosh Corporation be more competitive in this market," said Oshkosh City Manager Mark Rohloff.

The City will only help foot the bill if Oshkosh Corporation is still awarded the latest defense contract. An appeal from B-A-E and Navistar will be decided by December 14. Oshkosh Chamber of Commerce president John Casper said the new building is stimulus at its best.

"It's certainly a positive and great opportunity for the community,” said Casper. “It creates many opportunities to trickle down throughout the economy."

The City Council would still have to approve the funds. Oshkosh is still working to make sure the new facility is in a tax increment district, which will regenerate money to the area through property taxes on the land.