Mt. Pleasant one step closer to bringing Microsoft to Racine County
MT. PLEASANT, Wis. (CBS 58) -- Mt. Pleasant's one step closer to bringing tech giant Microsoft to Racine County. The village board and community development authority both signed off on the deal tonight.
We're told Microsoft approached Mt. Pleasant, not the other way around. And for about a year now, talks have been kept very quiet. The lid's off now, but not completely.
Mt. Pleasant says an enthusiastic yes to allow Microsoft to move in.
"The citizens of not only Mt. Pleasant, but Racine County as a whole and the surrounding areas will benefit for years from this," said Ernie Rossi, Elmwood Park president.
Microsoft's looking at these 315 acres in the Tif district created for Foxconn north of Highway KR and west of 90th Street.
"The base value of this property at the time the district was created was $3.5 million. Now it's being sold for $50 million," said Denise Anastasio, Mt. Pleasant village trustee.
Trustees are thrilled with the property tax money that's expected to flow in.
"When you think that this property that was worth three million by the time they get done is gonna be worth a billion with a b," said Trustee Anastasio.
"One of the trustees mentioned how much of a tax base this is gonna be. This sounds like a lot of money coming into Racine County. We're talking millions and millions and millions of dollars," said Senator Van Wanggaard (R) 21st District.
Senator Van Wanggaard anticipated for years; the land here would lead to something great.
"And we looked and knew that this was gonna be something and this is gonna be someday just ready to explode. We're there," said Senator Wanggard.
The vote was unanimous by both the village board and community development authority to move forward with Microsoft.
"We're in the Super bowl right now. Let's win," said Williams McReynolds, community development authority.
Although Mt Pleasant's saying yes, the Racine County Board will have final say, and for that reason, those on the board must remain silent for now.
"As far as Microsoft is concerned, there are legal reasons, there's competitive reasons and it's just very hard to keep things quiet," said David Degroot, Mt. Pleasant village president.
The Racine County Board is expected to discuss next steps for the Microsoft deal next month.