Harley-Davidson Begins Looking at Out-of-State Locations Hot

About a week ago, we told you that Wisconsin lawmakers have been bending over backwards to keep Harley-Davidson in the state. Now, it's looking like their efforts are too little too late, as Harley has begun examining out-of-state locations in earnest. Or, Harley is just playing a little hardball to scare legislators into giving them additional tax breaks and other incentives ?

Harley-Davidson spokesman Bob Klein said that although the company would prefer to stay in Milwaukee, they have started an "in-depth analysis" of alternate sites. He added that Harley will leave Wisconsin if the company isn't able to improve the efficiency and cost-competitiveness that they currently achieve at the existing plant. "We are early in the process, but we are starting to do a deeper dive," Klein said. It is likely that Harley will come to an ultimate decision by the fall. If Harley leaves the state, it will be taking 1,700 jobs with them, including 1,300 in the Milwaukee area alone.