At the Intel Ocotillo Campus in Chandler, Arizona, the atmosphere was charged with excitement and anticipation. It was a momentous day, marked by the presence of the President, who addressed the gathered crowd at 12:20 P.M. MST. His opening words, “Hello, hello, hello,” were met with enthusiastic applause, setting the tone for what was to be a significant announcement.
The President humorously acknowledged the wisdom of unions, crediting them with building the middle class—a feat that Wall Street hadn’t accomplished. This acknowledgment was met with laughter and applause, underscoring the importance of unions in the American economy.
Tilden, a union sheet metal worker and a proud member of the Navajo Nation, received thanks for his introduction. The President highlighted Tilden’s role in building Arizona’s future, a future that seemed bright and full of promise.
Governor Hobbs was thanked for her warm welcome to the state and her partnership, although she had to leave before the speech. Representative Stanton was also acknowledged for his dedication to the people of the 4th District, adding a light-hearted note about getting a ‘passport’ to enter.
The President expressed his gratitude to Senator Mark Kelly, who couldn’t attend due to commitments in Washington. Kelly was praised for his incredible work and for being a champion of the day’s announcement. The search for Mayor Kate in the audience led to a brief interaction, highlighting her excellent work as mayor.
Mayor Hartke of Chandler received a special mention, with the President joking about behaving himself since he was technically in Hartke’s city. This moment of levity was appreciated by the audience.
The President didn’t hold back his admiration for Gina Raimondo, the Secretary of Commerce, calling her one of the brightest individuals he’s known. Pat Gelsinger, CEO of Intel, and Aaron Butler, President of Arizona Building Trades, were recognized for their partnership, showcasing the collaborative effort to achieve great things in America.
The President shared a moment of interaction with the audience, apologizing for not realizing they were still standing, which added a personal touch to his speech. He discussed the encouragement business leaders feel when the U.S. invests in new industries, emphasizing the positive impact of such investments.
The pandemic brought to light the importance of semiconductors and the vulnerabilities in the supply chain. The President reminded everyone that America invented these chips, and he was determined to bring their manufacturing back to the U.S. This commitment was met with applause and support from the audience.
A historic investment was announced in January 2022 to build a state-of-the-art semiconductor factory in Ohio, a move that was celebrated as a step towards transforming the “Rust Belt” into the “Silicon Heartland.” The CHIPS and Science Act, signed into law with the support of Senator Kelly and Sherrod Brown, marked a significant investment in science and technology.
The President’s visit to Ohio to break ground for the new factory underscored the momentum of this initiative. The CHIPS and Science Act has led to partnerships with companies investing billions across the country, bringing jobs and manufacturing back to America, including Arizona.
The President humorously mentioned Senator Kelly’s persistent efforts, which were instrumental in bringing these investments to fruition. The partnership with Intel, resulting in an $8.5 billion investment, was highlighted as a landmark agreement under the CHIPS and Science Act.
This funding, paired with over $100 billion from Intel, represents one of the largest private-sector investments in Ohio and Arizona’s history. The investment will create thousands of construction jobs, many of which will be union jobs, emphasizing the right to organize and protect labor rights.
The announcement also supports manufacturing jobs with competitive salaries, signaling a significant change in the industry. The President pointed out that these facilities would manufacture advanced chips, a testament to America’s innovation and technological prowess.
The President emphasized the importance of leading-edge chips and the need for precision in their manufacturing. He highlighted the critical role these chips will play in future technologies such as artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and 6G communications.
Despite inventing advanced chips, the U.S. currently manufactures zero percent of them. Today’s investment aims to change that, bringing advanced semiconductor manufacturing back to America after 40 years. This move is expected to transform the semiconductor industry and create new ecosystems for research, design, and manufacturing in the U.S.
The President’s vision to make America the manufacturing capital of the world again was met with applause. He expressed optimism about America’s future, emphasizing the country’s capacity to lead the world and the importance of investing in American innovation and the American people.
In closing, the President reiterated his commitment to building a future in America, ensuring that investments benefit all Americans, regardless of their state or community. He concluded with a message of hope and determination, reminding everyone of America’s endless possibilities and the nation’s ability to overcome any challenge.
As the speech ended at 12:37 P.M. MST, the crowd’s applause reflected a shared belief in America’s bright future, fueled by innovation, collaboration, and a steadfast commitment to progress.