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President Obama to visit Intel chip plant on Wednesday
Intel confirmed Monday that President Obama will visit its new $5 billion chip plant under construction near Phoenix on Wednesday.
Obama visited Intel's Oregon facility last February, which coincided with Intel's announcement of its plans to build the $5 billion chip manufacturing facility in Arizona rather than overseas. The chip giant said it chose to invest in the United States despite significant potential cost savings abroad.
The plant, called Fab 42, is under construction at Intel's Ocotillo campus and when complete will be the most advanced high-volume semiconductor manufacturing plant in the world. The world's second largest land-based crane is currently in place for the construction, according to an Intel spokesman.
President Obama is expected to draw a clear line between himself and the Republican presidential candidates at Tuesday's State of the Union address, hoping to build momentum as the GOP struggles to sort out its still-crowded field. The Intel visit will likely highlight the president's efforts to woo tech sector jobs.
The tech industry has welcomed the administration's efforts at outreach but complained of the scarcity of qualified workers with advanced degrees in science and engineering. The Obama administration has promised to reform science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education but in the short term, firms are looking outside the United States.
Lobbying has been fierce for a compromise that would let science and engineering students remain in the United States after graduation, rather than forcing them to find a firm that will sponsor their visa or green card. But any form of immigration reform remains a tough sell politically with the stagnant unemployment rate.
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