But Democratic legislators, who largely opposed the financing package, say the price is too high — including exemptions from environmental regulations for the flat screen manufacturing complex.

Two out of every three of the 109 businesses that responded to a survey conducted by the La Crosse Area Chamber of Commerce support the effort, said Vicki Markussen, executive director.

While those business operators expect a limited direct impact from Foxconn, they understand “the ripple impact” to the La Crosse area and the entire state is significant, she said.

Janvesville business operators also see the value of Foxconn helping to rebrand Wisconsin away from its old image of heavy manufacturing to a state that features sophisticated, high-tech assembly firms, Beckord said.

"We must improve Wisconsin’s economy, but this deal is too expensive and will waste valuable state resources that otherwise would be used for roads, schools and health care," Conroy wrote in a recent Milwaukee Journal Sentinel opinion piece.