The ceremonial groundbreaking for a massive $10 billion Foxconn factory complex in Wisconsin was supposed to be evidence that the manufacturing revival fueled by President Donald Trump's "America First" policy is well underway. But an announcement this week by Harley-Davidson that it is moving some production of motorcycles overseas to avoid tariffs is fueling unease in Wisconsin — a state Trump barely won and where fellow Republican Gov. Scott Walker is on the ballot in just over four months. The contrasting news — Harley is based just 30 miles (48.28 kilometers) north up the interstate in Milwaukee — provides the backdrop for Trump's visit Thursday where he'll speak at the Foxconn site and hold a closed-door fundraiser just a couple miles away from Harley's headquarters. Walker is counting on a strong economy as part of his case for re-election. Wisconsin's unemployment is at record-low levels and Walker argues that the Foxconn project, the largest economic development deal in state history, shows that Wisconsin is on the right track.

Billionaire Terry Gou, chairman of Foxconn Technology Group, right, listens as Scott Walker, governor of Wisconsin, speaks during an event in the East Room of the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., on Wednesday, July 26, 2017. Andrew Harrer | Bloomberg | Getty Images

When the deal, reached with the assistance of the Trump White House, was signed last year, Walker said critics could "suck lemons" and "all of us in the state should be smiling, Republican and Democrat, doesn't matter." A year later, opinion polls show Wisconsin voters are split on the project and the state of the economy. "I read conflicting reports," said Katherine Wikoff, 58, a professor at the Milwaukee School of Engineering who doesn't align with either political party. "I read many positive things. And, here and there I'll see things that don't look so good." Wikoff said she has concerns about increasing traffic and environmental impacts of the Foxconn project, including water usage, but also said it could spur more economic development. "Foxconn could be sort of a catalyst for a lot of really exciting things happening," she said. Tom Deisinger, a 60-year-old banker who said he's not affiliated with either political party, said he was "fairly bullish" on the economy overall and the Foxconn project. "What I hear from talking to other business owners, they feel pretty good about the economy, too," he said. "Employment is strong. It's actually become an issue for us. You know, finding qualified candidates for not just entry-level jobs, but really any level jobs. It's getting harder and harder." Trump's visit comes as he is trying to keep Wisconsin and other upper Midwest states in his column. Trump visited Minnesota last week and North Dakota on Wednesday. Trump carried Wisconsin by less than 1 point — just under 23,000 votes. He's underwater in popularity, with only 44 percent of respondents in last week's Marquette University Law School poll approving of the job he's doing, while 50 percent disapproved.