Wisconsin submits proposal to reopen Janesville plant making GM’s new smaller cars

Wisconsin submits proposal to revive GM plant

JANESVILLE, Wis. — Wisconsin has submitted a proposal to General Motors Corp. to reopen its Janesville factory to make the company’s new small car.

Zach Brandon is executive assistant at the state Commerce Department. He said a competitive proposal was delivered Tuesday but no details will be released because of the nature of the negotiations.

GM already has closed its Janesville factory while its factories in Orion Township, Mich., and Spring Hill, Tenn., will go on standby later this year.

Tennessee Gov. Phil Bredesen has expressed doubt whether his state can afford the hundreds of millions of dollars GM apparently wants to bring new production to the Spring Hill plant.

Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm has said she is determined to land the GM jobs producing up to 160,000 small cars a year.