President Joe Biden on Wednesday announced a significant investment plan by Microsoft to build a $3.3 billion data center in southeastern Wisconsin, a move that is expected to create thousands of jobs in this crucial presidential election battleground state. The new facility will be situated in the same area where former President Donald Trump had announced a $10 billion investment by Taiwanese electronics manufacturer Foxconn in 2017, a project that was later significantly scaled back.

“I’m here to talk about a great comeback story in America,” Biden addressed a crowd of about 200 people at Gateway Technical College’s Sturtevant campus, a region that has faced manufacturing declines and the unfulfilled promises of the Foxconn project. “Microsoft’s investment will be transformative, not only here but worldwide,” he added.

The president criticized his predecessor, highlighting the difference between the promises made by Trump and the current administration’s commitment to fulfilling promises. “My predecessor made promises, which he broke. On my watch, we make promises and we keep promises,” Biden said.

The Foxconn project, initially expected to bring $10 billion in investment and create 13,000 jobs, was scaled back in 2021 to a $672 million investment with a forecast of 1,454 new jobs. In contrast, Microsoft’s President Brad Smith announced that the company plans to invest $3.3 billion by the end of 2026, leveraging artificial intelligence to bolster manufacturers and workers.

The White House detailed that the Microsoft investment would result in 2,300 union construction jobs and around 2,000 permanent positions over time. Additionally, the administration noted that nearly 4,000 jobs had been added in the nearby Racine area since Biden took office, compared to the loss of about 1,000 manufacturing jobs during the Trump administration.

Smith emphasized the importance of training and skills development, stating, “We will train over 100,000 people in Wisconsin by the end of the decade so they have the AI skills to fill the jobs of tomorrow.” He credited Biden’s legislative achievements in infrastructure, semiconductor chips, and climate change for setting the stage for this significant investment.

Microsoft will collaborate with Gateway Technical College to train 1,000 individuals for data center and other roles by 2030 and will work to educate 1,000 business leaders on adopting AI in their operations, according to the White House.

This announcement marks Biden’s fourth trip to Wisconsin this year, one of seven crucial swing states essential for his 2024 re-election campaign. During his visit, Biden also planned to meet with volunteers from Racine’s Black community, aiming to solidify support among Black voters. Recent national polls indicate a tight race between Biden and Trump, with Biden seeking to bolster his base ahead of the Nov. 5 presidential election.

Biden also took the opportunity to criticize Trump for the failed Foxconn project, saying, “Foxconn turned out to be just that - a con.”

Foxconn responded by stating that its Wisconsin operations had seen a 42% increase in employment since 2020 and that it had become the largest taxpayer in the surrounding county. “We are proud of the over 1,000 men and women who work at Foxconn Wisconsin,” the company said.

In conjunction with the Microsoft announcement, Biden’s campaign launched a $14 million advertising campaign, including significant investments targeting Black, Latino, and Asian voters. This campaign includes a new ad titled “Terminate,” focusing on Trump’s attacks on Americans’ healthcare.

As Biden continues to promote his administration’s achievements and future plans, the upcoming Microsoft data center project symbolizes a commitment to economic growth and job creation in Wisconsin, while also addressing broader technological and educational advancements. This move is seen as a pivotal effort to regain and strengthen support in a key electoral state, setting the stage for the upcoming election cycle.