The state signs a deal to buy a couple of high-speed trains.
The $47-million partnership with Talgo would have the Spanish train manufacturer set up shop in Wisconsin to assemble and maintain the trains — adding up 80 jobs, and the potential for more. What about locating the facilities in Janesville, where 1200 auto-workers lost their jobs at General Motors last year?
"It is a possibility. I have spoken to Talgo about that. They are obviously looking for where it fits best for them, but I think there's a lot to be said about Janesville. There are some great facilities there, there's a great workforce there."
Governor Jim Doyle says ultimately, the decision is up to Talgo, whose experts have already scouted out locations in Milwaukee and Janesville.
"You know one of the things I want to make sure is they go to a place where there's room for expansion, because you know, we're really taking a first step here that nobody else in the United States is taking right now. And we're taking it on the belief that passenger rail service is going to develop rapidly in the United States."
The first trains would replace the Hiawatha service from Milwaukee to Chicago, eventually bring the speed up to 110mph. The next plan would involve service from Milwaukee to Madison, and eventually to Minneapolis-Saint Paul.
AUDIO: Jackie Johnson report (1:29 mp3)
