During his speech at the Democratic National Convention on August 19, President Joe Biden highlighted his administration’s efforts to boost manufacturing in the US. He emphasized the investments made in semiconductor manufacturing, noting that these investments will create tens of thousands of new manufacturing jobs. His comments about new manufacturing facilities were part of a broader discussion on his administration’s accomplishments and future plans.

Biden made several key points about manufacturing

Semiconductor Manufacturing: Biden highlighted significant investments in semiconductor manufacturing, emphasizing that these investments are expected to create high-paying factory jobs, with salaries around $100,000 a year, even for those without a college degree. “After years of importing 90% of our semiconductor chips from abroad, which America invented those chips, our CHIPS and Science Act meant that private companies from around the world are now investing literally tens of billions of dollars to build new chip factories right here in America,” said Biden.

Job Creation: He also noted that the Biden/Harris administration has created a record number of new jobs, including thousands the manufacturing sector. “American manufacturing is back. Where the hell does it say we wouldn’t lead the world in manufacturing,” said Biden. “Eight-hundred-thousand new manufacturing jobs.”

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Many of the new manufacturing jobs are associated with the new chip-making fabs that are part of the CHIPS and Science Act. “They [manufacturers] will create tens of thousands of jobs. And many of those jobs will be in the so-called Fabs, the buildings that make the chips that are being constructed now,” said Biden. “And guess what? The average salary in those fabs, size of a football field, will be over $100,000 a year, and you don’t need a college degree.”

Economic Growth: Biden discussed how these manufacturing investments are part of a broader strategy to boost economic growth and ensure that the US remains competitive in the global market. “We used to import products and export jobs. Now we export American products and create American jobs, right here in America, where jobs belong,” said Biden. “With every new job, with every new factory, pride and hope is being brought back to communities throughout the country that were left behind.”

Infrastructure and Innovation: He also touched on the importance of modernizing infrastructure and fostering innovation to support the manufacturing industry. “We’re modernizing our roads, our bridges, our ports, our airports, our trains, our buses, removing every lead pipe from schools and homes so every child could drink clean water,” said Biden. “We’re providing affordable high-speed internet for every American no matter where they live, not unlike what Roosevelt did with electricity. And so much more. We are uniting the country, we’re growing our economy, we’re improving our quality of life, and we’re building a better America.”

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