In a new effort to demonstrate to local governments what it can do for their communities, the White House hosted representatives from North Carolina in order to highlight funding opportunities and learn firsthand how coronavirus relief, infrastructure funding, and other policies are performing locally.
The gathering on Thursday shows how the White House site is now being used more frequently as pandemic restrictions have loosened. In an effort to rally Democratic voters ahead of the midterm elections in November, it also forms a part of a wider project to welcome municipal, county, and state politicians from each of the 50 states once a week.
Julie Rodriguez, director of the White House Office of Intergovernmental Affairs, stated that "we're approaching a moment of our administration when we can do more in terms of gathering at the White House." "Getting closer to the effect we're having on Americans' daily lives is tremendously inspiring for us."
The revival in manufacturing is one of the main messages for the delegation from North Carolina. The number of manufacturing employment in the United States has increased steadily since the middle of last year to 12.85 million, the highest number since late 2008 when the financial crisis led to more than 2 million layoffs in the industry.
Officials anticipate speaking with the group from North Carolina about Wolfspeed's plans to invest $5 billion in the construction of a silicon chip factory, which is anticipated to generate 1,800 new employment for the state.
Following the initial visit by authorities from Ohio recently, that discussion would take place. Earlier this month, President Joe Biden gave a speech at the groundbreaking for a new Intel facility close to Columbus. This year, there are available Senate seats in North Carolina and Ohio.
North Carolina native Michael Regan, administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, was scheduled to speak at the half-day event on Thursday. The group was also scheduled to hear from Rodriguez and Keisha Lance Bottoms, a former Atlanta mayor who is currently a senior adviser in the White House.
23 North Carolina representatives, including state legislators, the mayors of Charlotte, Wilmington, Fayetteville, Greensboro, Winston-Salem, Chapel Hill, Raleigh, Concord, Kinston, and Durham, as well as officials from Wake and Guildford counties, have confirmed that they will be present.
In addition to emphasizing the opportunities that local governments may have as a result of the bipartisan infrastructure law, the incentives for the advancement of computer chips and scientific research, and the recent package to promote climate-friendly energy sources and lower prescription drug prices, administration officials also want to hear about local stories.
The White House intended to connect those representatives with local media outlets as part of the day's activities to demonstrate their efforts to spread the message to a wider audience. With regard to political messaging, that will be essential. Republicans attempting to take back the House and Senate have cited Biden's $1.9 trillion coronavirus rescue package as the cause of high inflation, but the administration counters that the rise in costs is a result of global events like the pandemic and Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February.
The White House claims that its initiatives have benefited workers by fast lowering unemployment rates to a low 3.7%, while the Republican talking point is that voter anxiety is primarily caused by consumer prices, which are up 8.3% from a year ago.
Although gasoline prices have declined from June's peak, the Federal Reserve predicted on Wednesday that inflation will likely decline as a result of rising unemployment.
In a speech to the Senate on Monday, Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell stated: "The inflation rate plateauing over 8% does not mean that families are enjoying a break – it signifies exactly the opposite. It indicates that prices are continue to rise steadily for families.
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