President Joe Biden was in Wisconsin on Wednesday to highlight Microsoft’s decision to build a $3. 3 billion data center in Racine County.
RACINE, Wis. – President Joe Biden traveled to Racine on Wednesday, May 8, to highlight Microsoft’s decision to build a $3. 3 billion data center that is expected to employ about 2,300 union structures to build it, and then 2,000 permanent employees.
“What we’re essentially building is a huge, complex AI-powered knowledge center,” Microsoft President Brad Smith said. Just think about what the world, and indeed Americans, will use to access AI technology, run programs that will be on your phone, will be on your computer. I think it will continue globally. “
Biden’s vacation to Wisconsin, his fourth of the year and eleventh as president, celebrated Microsoft’s announcement in a key battleground state that may determine who will win the White House.
Air Force One arrives at Milwaukee’s Mitchell International Airport
“Ultimately, what we’re hoping is that this lays the groundwork for Wisconsin to continue to be a world leader in production and for Wisconsinites to fill those jobs and have wonderful careers in production,” Smith said.
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This is an open space for the technology company: Foxconn. Foxconn did not own the land, but had the first option to buy it.
He had to sign his agreement to allow Microsoft to move forward with this project.
Brad Smith, President of Microsoft
“Foxconn turned out to be just that: a scam,” Biden said.
Former President Donald Trump visited in 2018. He called Foxconn’s mission “the eighth in the world. “
This investment promised to create 13,000 jobs, but the figures never materialized.
President Biden arrives at Milwaukee’s Mitchell International Airport
“Literally holding a golden shovel promising to build the eighth place in the world,” Biden said. “Are you kidding me? Look what happened: They dug a hole with those gold shovels and then they fell in. “
But Foxconn reports that it has invested $1 billion in the state and manufactures knowledge servers there, employing 1,000 people.
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“We’ve noticed super infrastructure and business progression in Racine,” said Wisconsin Republican Party Chairman Brian Schimming. “A lot of smart things have happened at Racine, and as we say, we welcome the jobs and progression that will follow. “”Today, however, a lot of what happened there under Governor Walker and President Trump. “
President Biden arrives at Milwaukee’s Mitchell International Airport
As the many years of battles around Foxconn now stretch into 2024, Biden’s scale in underscores how Wisconsin is on track to win the White House.
Trump, one of the few states in the country, was here last week. This week it’s Biden and next week it’s Vice President Kamala Harris.
Racine County, in particular, has traditionally sided with Trump. It earned about 49. 5% in 2016 and received more in 2020.
President Joe Biden spoke to supporters in Sturtevant about Microsoft’s plans to build a $3. 3 billion knowledge center in southeastern Wisconsin.
Meghan Roh, Opportunity Wisconsin Program Director: “President Biden has prioritized investments that help Wisconsin’s economy, create jobs, and expand opportunities for Wisconsin painters. Whether it’s helping breakthroughs like Microsoft’s expansion into Racine or cutting the cost of health care and prescription drugs. Through legislation, such as the Inflation Reduction Act, President Biden’s leadership has strengthened our state. “As we return to Wisconsin today, Congress still has an opportunity to assist in the president’s next federal budget proposal. His plan includes tax cuts for ruling families and forces billionaires and big business to pay their fair share. By achieving greater tax equity, we can create systems that help leading families and seniors by adding Medicare and Social Security. It’s time for Congressman Bryan Steil to paint with President Biden and find common ground on policies that help Wisconsinites succeed. “
Assembly Speaker Robin Vos (R-Rochester)
“Today’s exciting announcement about Microsoft’s plan to create thousands more jobs in Racine County has very little to do with President Biden and everything to do with the efforts of elected officials, leaders of economic progress, and Microsoft itself.
“Today was a showcase of the paintings of Mount Pleasant President Dave Degroot and the Board of Directors of the Village of Mount Pleasant, who had the foresight to build this dream box. It has also been a thank you to the Racine County director. Jonathan Delagrave and Racine. County council members who made the investment.
“Instead, just as he asked us to forget about how much we pay on groceries and fuel during the week to give him what he claims is a strong economy, President Biden is now asking us to forget about his efforts so he can take all the credit. . Re-election by invitation only.
Ben Wikler, chairman of the Wisconsin Democratic Party: “Today, President Biden returns to southeastern Wisconsin to create the kind of jobs and investments Trump had promised for years. With this new $3. 3 billion investment, Wisconsin will see 2,300 union jobs and 2,000 permanent jobs. Jobs over time, as Microsoft builds a new AI knowledge center on the site where Trump once hoisted a golden shovel and trumpeted the “eighth wonder of the world. “Where Trump has only brought broken promises, a waste of taxpayers. “
U. S. Rep. Bryan Steil (R-Wis. )
“Microsoft’s investment in our network and the jobs it will create are welcome, especially at a time of peak inflation and the emerging burden of living for so many American families. While here, President Biden avoids stopping by a grocery store and communicating with staff in Wisconsin whose cost of living has risen more than 18%.
“With the announcement of the new knowledge center, it is critical that we work to build the military infrastructure to build the facility, adding the natural pipeline. As the Biden Administration’s policies drive up inflation, I will continue to work to make Wisconsin a great place for job-creating private investment.
Brad Smith, president of Microsoft, addresses Biden supporters in Sturtevant. Microsoft plans to build a $3. 3 billion knowledge center that is expected to create about 2,000 jobs.
Nick Fick, Chair of Workforce Development for IBEW 430, speaks introducing President Biden in Sturtevant.