President Joe Biden is set to make a visit to Wisconsin, a pivotal battleground state, to unveil Microsoft Corp’s (MSFT.O) $3.3 billion investment in a state-of-the-art data center, as announced by the White House. The facility, located in Racine County, southeastern Wisconsin, will generate thousands of job opportunities.
This initiative by Microsoft replaces the originally planned $10 billion factory by Taiwan-based electronics manufacturer Foxconn, previously dubbed “the eighth wonder of the world” by former President Donald Trump, before Foxconn scaled back its intentions significantly.
The White House disclosed that Microsoft’s project will create 2,300 union construction jobs and approximately 2,000 permanent positions over time. They highlighted the addition of nearly 4,000 jobs in Racine since Biden’s inauguration, contrasting with the loss of about 1,000 manufacturing jobs during the prior administration.
In collaboration with Gateway Technical College, Microsoft aims to train 1,000 individuals for roles in the data center and other sectors by 2030. Additionally, they plan to provide training for 1,000 business leaders to integrate AI into their operations, aligning with the White House’s vision to position the industrial heartland at the forefront of future industries.
During his visit, Biden, a Democrat, will engage with volunteers from Racine’s Black community, part of his ongoing efforts to strengthen support among Black voters leading up to the November presidential election. Volunteers will receive training on a new mobile app designed to facilitate voter engagement.
To further bolster outreach, the Biden campaign announced a $14 million advertising campaign, with a significant portion directed towards Black, Latino, and Asian voters. An upcoming ad titled “Terminate” will highlight Trump’s actions concerning Americans’ healthcare.
