Mercury Moving to OK
 

A story in an Oklahoma newspaper indicates local and state officials are in negotiations to bring the Fond du Lac Mercury MerCruiser plant to Stillwater, Okla.

“If they should make the decision to locate more of their production here, it would bolster additional jobs,” Stillwater City Manager Dan Galloway said in the Stillwater NewsPress article. “(We) are trying to do everything we can to encourage MerCruiser to relocate to Stillwater.”

Fond du Lac officials have not publicly confirmed that they are in similar negotiations to keep Mercury Marine in Fond du Lac and possibly move Stillwater operations to Fond du Lac. Several closed door meetings have been held regarding an economic development issue that officials have declined to elaborate on.

Steve Fleming, spokesman for Mercury Marine in Fond du Lac, has said he cannot comment on the rumors.

In a story last week on WFDL radio, State Assembly Speaker Mike Sheridan commented that several provisions to help Mercury Marine were included in the state budget.

Stillwater officials are working hard to keep the plant there, according to the NewsPress article.

MerCruiser representatives and Stillwater Chamber of Commerce President Larry Brown are in negotiations to discuss an incentives package to move its Wisconsin plant to Stillwater, according to the report.

According to the NewsPress:

Sen. Jim Halligan, R-Stillwater, who authored a bill that gave tax relief to the company, said having an additional plant could double employment at the Stillwater plant.

The recent negotiations are not directly related to the bill, which was recently signed into law.

Senate Bill 929 relieved the company from about $1.2 million tax penalty as required from the Oklahoma Quality Jobs Program. The program required MerCruiser to retroactively pay all tax incentives if they fell below a certain number in investments or employees, Halligan said. The bill makes it so the company won’t have to pay that charge unless it leaves the state.

He said he does hope to get additional operations in Stillwater, but he wouldn’t give any details about the current negotiations at this time.

Bring it!

I heard it was because E-Dock has such a large presence.....in OK:)

I know several people in Stillwater that were not working because the plant shut down for some time. Not sure if they fired it back up yet, But this would be Great news.
Now about the test driver that got fired for NOT testing the boats!!? HHMMM

Yep, another one gone, raise the taxes, again, again and again.....oops, looks like we didn't learn. This would be a great state without Milwaukee and Dane counties.

A friends dad used to drive their test boats for fun at keystone, all the fuel you could burn, and was told to never lift!
we put some hours on those boats for sure!

When did Wisconsin raise taxes on Merc?? All the article talks about is tax relief for Merc from Oklahoma.

I believe he was referring to how the taxes for the residents will be raised again now that another corporation is leaving town.

Flip Me... He laid that chit down to me on Keystone almost 10 years ago - - And his son J was in my boat. I had a 24 outlaw -> He ran me wide open many miles till I was dry, never let up. He came back with a 5 gallon bucket of fuel to get us back! ! I will never forget, good times! :boat:

I love WI, but I have to tell you our current governor and his croneys have no clue!

I too WAS a business owner in WI, Thank goodness I was in a position to survive, and have made changes to look for the future. Biggest problems for business in WI, ask any owner about workmans comp, unemployment ins,a/k/a taxes and did I mention: taxes, taxes, taxes.

The only advantage large companies have is they get serious breaks to keep them there, unfortunately small business pays for it all...

I could cut bilions out of their budget... Its not hard. Small business has to make changes to stay in business, now it is time for government...

OH Wait, sorry.... Wrong parties are currently in office. Stay low brothers, may WE, save us all!!!

Being a small buiness owner in OK isnt muck of a cake walk either. I havent laid of any people for 10+ yrs and this year I had to cut a couple and my unemployement went up 1K in one qtr. I am talking 2 people on unemployement! I could probably kept them on the payroll for not much more.

Worker comp!!! I dont want to even go there, 18yrs in business NEVER a claim!! $2500 a month and I only have around 20 employees. Hate to see what would happen if I had a claim..
Small business is the backbone of America, that supports the Big business and all the favors they get.
Taxes gotta love em.
Quinlan

I heard the exact same thing! It has gotta be true.:drink:

+1
I have a friend who owns a roustabout outfit in Stroud. Guy went from 50+ employees in the field to 10 in the shop & field combined. Oklahoma ain't a cake walk for sure!
I hope they (HP) make the move to Stillwater.

I would love to see them bring the Hi-Pro division to OK. Bring it on......

I wouldn't doubt it because here at E dock there is plenty of Mercury on the boats!!:drink::drink:

Maybe they are just trying to cut the delivery costs for all the #6's that the E-Dock boys keep going thru!!!!! LOL!!!!
Its like poker, If you gottem, Play them!!!! And we know they know how to do that!!!! Good luck guys!!

Quin,
you need to speak with my step dad. He has been able to help small companies with high work comp rates and save you a ton of money.

Fin

in the times likes this we have to lower our prices, and move inventory just to keep our heads above water, they merc should do the same, lose alittle now, or lose it all in the long run.

Wait a second. Has NO ONE caught on to the irony here!!!!!! A boat motor mfg. in a town called STILLWATER!!!!!!! Now that is some funny chit!!!!!!!!

I agree..thats why I moved...and because it's too frickin cold up there. Ey .....:grinser010:

Yesterday it was 95 here and 88 in Miami :evilb::grinser010:

Well, after another workers vote this past weekend, workers decided to stay and keep work and jobs in Wisconsin :)

Right to work state... Perfect


Another Union success story...:rolleyes:

Why the F would Merc even allow the union to vote again. They showed their true feelings the first time. F them!!!:waffen093:

I agree.

This could be the beginning of the end for Mercury in WI. They will move the jobs from Stillwater to FDL and then end up going under. Just my prediction.

Maybe they don't want to move? Workers are buying bankrupt companies and opening them and putting people back to work. I hope this happens when the Kiekhafers bail out.

don't worry big O thanked all the hard working union employees on Monday.....what a sad sad..joke