Reuters, May 8, 2014, RACINE, WI U.S. President Joe Biden revealed Microsoft Corp.'s (MSFT.O) plans on Wednesday, opening a new tab to construct a $3.3 billion data center in southeast Wisconsin. This stands in stark contrast to his Republican predecessor, who had supported a much-reduced $10 billion project at the same location.
During his fourth trip to Wisconsin this year, Biden stated that Microsoft's investment would generate thousands of jobs in the state, which is a key battleground for the presidential race and which his campaign views as vital to his chances of winning a second term.
The building will be constructed in the same location as Biden's presidential opponent, Donald Trump, who in 2017 declared that Taiwanese electronics maker Foxconn would invest $10 billion, an amount that the business later sharply reduced. It was dubbed "the eighth wonder of the world" by Trump.
Speaking to roughly 200 attendees at the Gateway Technical College Sturtevant campus in a Midwestern area affected by industry declines, Biden said, "I am here to talk about a tremendous recovery story in America."
Microsoft's investment would "be revolutionary, not only here, but internationally," according to the president.
"My predecessor made claims, but he did not follow through," Biden stated. "We make promises and we keep them while I am in charge."
As its plans changed and tax advantages were lowered in response to local opposition, Foxconn announced in 2021 that it would invest $672 million at the site less than the $10 billion originally projected and predicted 1,454 new employment, down from 13,000 at the time.
According to Microsoft President Brad Smith, the American corporation intends to invest $3.3 billion by the end of 2026 and deploy artificial intelligence to support employees and increase manufacturing.
According to the White House, the investment would eventually create about 2,000 permanent employment and 2,300 union construction positions. It stated that during the Trump administration, manufacturing jobs in the surrounding city of Racine had lost around 1,000, whereas roughly 4,000 jobs had been added since Biden entered office.
"By the end of the decade, we will teach over 100,000 people in Wisconsin so they have the AI capabilities to fill the jobs of tomorrow," stated Smith. He attributed the investment's foundation to Biden's policies on climate change, infrastructure, and chips.
By 2030, Microsoft and Gateway Technical College plan to teach 1,000 individuals for employment in data centers and other industries. Additionally, the White House stated that Microsoft will seek to train 1,000 corporate executives to implement AI into their operations.
BLACK VOTER SUPPORT
Following the Microsoft event, Biden shook hands and joked about with roughly fifty Black campaign volunteers from Racine, telling them to believe Trump when he said he would undo the progress done while Biden was president.
In an attempt to strengthen his support among Black voters ahead of the presidential election on November 5, Biden is running for office again. According to national polls, he and Republican contender Donald Trump, who is running for a third time after losing to Biden in 2020, are virtually tied.
A $14 million ad campaign with advertisements aimed at Black, Asian, and Latino voters has been started by Biden's campaign. It is planning a blitz on Thursday in response to what it claims are Trump's attacks on healthcare.
In Wisconsin, Biden made fun of his predecessor's misplaced wager in Racine County. He declared, "Foxconn proved to be just that—a fraud."
It was not possible to get in touch with Trump's campaign representatives right away for comment.
According to a statement from Foxconn (2317.TW), employment at its Wisconsin facilities has increased by 42% since 2020, and it has recently surpassed all other taxpayers in the surrounding county in terms of revenue. The statement read, "We are honored to employ more than 1,000 men and women at Foxconn Wisconsin."