Stillwater Leaders Fight to Keep Research and Development Company

STILLWATER, Oklahoma -- Mercury Marine spends big money in Stillwater and city leaders don't want to lose it.

The business manufactures higher-end boat engines and houses the city's largest research and development operation. Although Mercury Marine has operated a division of its business in Stillwater for the last 35 years, tough economic times has business leaders having to choose between expanding in Stillwater or moving the Oklahoma operations to Wisconsin where the current headquarters are located.

The company currently employs 400 in Stillwater and 1,900 in Fon Du Lac, Wisconsin.

Stillwater business leaders at the Chamber of Commerce want the opposite to happen, and think Oklahoma is the best place for Mercury Marine to manage their business.

"I hate to even think about losing them but it would be a major, major impact on the community," the Chamber's Executive Director of the Economic Development Division John McKim said. "It's a $45 million annual payroll that would be taken out of the economy. The ripple effect would I hate to say it be devastating."

Lawmakers and commerce officials are offering a competitive incentives package and those in the community are joining facebook groups in support of Mercury Marine expanding in Stillwater instead of Fon Du Lac, Wisconsin. (The facebook group name is Keep Mercury Marine In Stillwater)

Negotiations are still underway and a decision is expected in September.