Wisconsin Manufacturing Jobs Caught In Congressional Fight

Published October 1, 2015 at 2:55 PM CDT

In addition to mulling a move of its corporate headquarters out of Connecticut, General Electric has announced it will close a gas engine plant in Waukesha, Wisconsin, and move the 350 jobs to Canada.

Last year, President Obama touted the plant as a proud example of American manufacturing. GE says its closing the Waukesha plant due to Congress’s failure to reauthorize the Export-Import Bank.

Waukesha Mayor Shawn Reilly discusses the impending plant closure and layoffs with Here & Now‘ s Robin Young.

Guest

Shawn Reilly, mayor of Waukesha, Wisconsin.

US President Barack Obama tours the General Electric Waukesha Gas Engines facility on January 30, 2014 in Waukesha, Wisconsin. The President is expected to discuss taking executive action to enhance reform of job training programs. GE's Waukesha gas engines plant, is a facility that employs around 700 people and manufactures natural gas engines. AFP PHOTO/Mandel NGAN (Photo credit should read MANDEL NGAN/AFP/Getty Images)
President Barack Obama toured the General Electric Waukesha Gas Engines facility in 2014 in Waukesha, Wisconsin. The company has just announced they will pull over 300 manufacturing jobs at the Waukesha facility. (Mandel Ngan/AFP/Getty Images) — US President Barack Obama tours the General Electric Waukesha Gas Engines facility on January 30, 2014 in Waukesha, Wisconsin. The President is expected to discuss taking executive action to enhance reform of job training programs. GE's Waukesha gas engines plant, is a facility that employs around 700 people and manufactures natural gas engines. AFP PHOTO/Mandel NGAN (Photo credit should read MANDEL NGAN/AFP/Getty Images) President Barack Obama toured the General Electric Waukesha Gas Engines facility in 2014 in Waukesha, Wisconsin. The company has just announced they will pull over 300 manufacturing jobs at the Waukesha facility. (Mandel Ngan/AFP/Getty Images)

Support paywall-free journalism

KCUR prides ourselves on bringing local journalism to the public without a paywall — ever.

Our reporting will always be free for you to read. But it's not free to produce.

As a nonprofit, we rely on your donations to keep operating and trying new things. If you value our work, consider becoming a member.

Donate Now