Biden declares end of rust belt label during speech in Ohio

Sept. 9 (UPI) -- President Joe Biden traveled to Ohio on Friday to help break ground for a new Intel semiconductor plant, which has been aided by the new CHIPS and Science Act.

The new facility is in Licking County in central Ohio, which includes the Columbus area.

Speaking at an event to help celebrate the new plant, Biden told the crowd that it was time to get rid of the rust belt label, and that "Intel is going to build the workforce of the future right here in Ohio."

"It's time to bury the label Rust Belt," Biden said. "Made in Ohio and made in America is not just a slogan. It's happening,"

The $20 billion project is Ohio's largest ever and is expected to create 10,000 construction and semiconductor production jobs.

Since taking office, Biden has made manufacturing a key part of his agenda, and recently signed the CHIPs and Science Act to ease supply chain issues that have been worsened by COVID-19 and the Russian war in Ukraine.

Biden was joined at Friday's event by Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine, Ohio Sen. Sherrod Brown, Intel CEO Pat Gelsinger and executives and union leaders.

"The Rust Belt is dead, the silicon heartland begins," Gelsinger said. "Because we want to build stuff, the welcome we've received since we began these discussions is nothing less than tremendous."

Democrats see the swing state of Ohio as a critical prize in November's midterm elections and in 2024. The state voted for Donald Trump in 2016 and 2020 after going with Barack Obama in 2008 and 2012.

The White House said that union workers will build the new Intel plant, which was announced in January.

Before Biden's visit, Intel announced that it's donated $18 million to colleges throughout the state for technological research as part of an ongoing $100 million fund for education.

Intel also used Friday's event to demonstrate some new technology, including a self-driving tractor that could help farmers boost crop volumes and track environmental data.