Article: Aid to Mercury Marine draws heat But state, local officials say saving jobs was vital

By RICK BARRETT

Brunswick Corp., the parent of Fond du Lac-based Mercury Marine Inc., should have come under closer scrutiny before state and local government officials offered incentives to keep Mercury in Wisconsin, a liberal public policy group said Tuesday.

In September, the Fond du Lac County Board gave Mercury a $50 million government-financed loan, one of a basket of incentives the outboard engine maker received when it threatened to move hundreds of manufacturing jobs to Oklahoma. About 2,000 Mercury jobs were at stake had the company moved.

State officials also prepared financial incentives aimed at retaining Mercury, although they haven't released the details.

"The incentives ...

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