Link to November 25 Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel article, "Talgo seeks business input on rail plan. Train firm asks M7, Chamber of Commerce to speak up on high-speed trains".
Excerpt: In the e-mail obtained by the Journal Sentinel, Friend wrote to Sheehy and Paetsch: "I believe your organizations can play a very factual role in speaking on behalf of the vendors in" Wisconsin.
She added "the project has implications for growth not just for Talgo as the rail car manufacturer, but for economic development in Milwaukee and job creation for vendors" in the state.
In an interview, Friend said that the MMAC "was very supportive in attracting us" to a manufacturing plant at the former Tower Automotive property on Milwaukee's north side.
Patrick Curley, chief of staff for Mayor Tom Barrett, said Talgo deserves answers to its inquiries.
"If the M7 and MMAC, who expended effort and resources to recruit Talgo to Milwaukee, remain silent, what's the message to other businesses looking to come to Milwaukee and the region at the behest of the M7 and MMAC?" Curley said in an e-mail. "What's the message to the City, who invested a lot of money in site improvements and the Talgo facility and has been an active partner and participant in the M7 efforts to date?"
Next year, employment at Talgo is projected to reach 125 in Milwaukee. The firm is contracted to build two trains for the existing Hiawatha line, which links Milwaukee to Chicago, plus two trains for Oregon.
Friend said a range of additional local vendors will be needed for such things as cleaning and catering, as well as producing electrical components and mechanical parts.
Earlier this month, the firm acknowledged it would consider moving the operation out of Wisconsin if Walker killed the high-speed train. Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn sent a letter to Talgo and invited the firm to move to his state.
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