President Biden visits Racine County to meet voters, tout new Microsoft facility
RACINE COUNTY, Wis. (CBS 58) – President Joe Biden was in Racine County Wednesday to deliver remarks in Sturtevant on his "Investing in America" agenda.
This is the president's fourth trip to the Badger State this year and it comes after former President Donald Trump held a rally in Waukesha last week.
Part of President Biden's announcement Wednesday was the development of a new Microsoft facility. The tech company is planning to invest $3.3 billion to open a new artificial intelligence center in Racine County. During his remarks, the President said he wants to make the county an AI hub.
"A.I. is already driving that change in every part of American life," President Biden. "Microsoft is partnering with Gateway Technical Community College, right here, to train 200 students a year to fill high demand good paying jobs in data and IT."
According to the company, construction of the building would create 2,300 union jobs and 2,000 permanent jobs.
"We've created over 178,000 jobs in Wisconsin, and we're going to create more here in Racine and big time," Mr. Biden explained.
Union workers from the area were present during the President's announcement.
"It's a lot of great work for our members," Business Manager for Plumbers & Steamfitters UA Local 118 Josh Birong said.
Birong said it is not just the immediate jobs from construction that will benefit union workers in the county.
"The work that is there for maintenance in perpetuity is exciting, and it's huge for our area," he said.
The new plant is being built at Foxconn's electronics factory. Six years ago, the Trump administration announced a $10 billion investment by the tech manufacturer with the promise to bring over 10,000 jobs to the area. That plan never materialized.
"In fact, [Donald Trump] came here with your Senator, Ron Johnson, literally holding a golden shovel, planning to build the 8th wonder of a world," President Biden said. "Look what happened. They dug a hole with those golden shovels, and then they fell into it."
Microsoft Vice Chair and President Brad Smith said that the $3.3 Billion will go solely into building the facility and that the company will invest even more in numerous partnerships. One he said he is excited about is a manufacturing-focused AI lab at UW-Milwaukee that will work with businesses on integrating AI into their business model.
"We'll train more than 100,000 people in Wisconsin by the end of the decade, so they have the AI skills to fill the jobs of tomorrow," said.
Smith told CBS 58 the company is investing heavily in training because it lays the foundation for Wisconsin to remain a global leader in manufacturing.
"It is changing jobs," Smith explained. "It's a little bit like when the economy 100 years ago, or more, was transitioning from say horses to cars. Whenever this happens, jobs change. So, it's really important to help people acquire the skills so they can be successful."