ICYMI: Thanks to Biden and Democrats, New Manufacturing Jobs Headed to AZ and OH

Thanks to President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act and his Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, companies from coast to coast are announcing plans that will create thousands of new manufacturing jobs. Earlier today, First Solar announced plans to invest in a new factory in the Southeast and upgrade and expand its existing facilities in Ohio, while Corning announced plans to build a new manufacturing facility in Arizona.

The Inflation Reduction Act, which passed no thanks to a single Republican in Congress, is already strengthening the American economy and will soon help create thousands of good-paying manufacturing jobs—all while tackling the climate crisis and lowering costs.

Here’s what folks are reading about how the Biden-Harris administration is helping create new manufacturing jobs around the country:

ABC Toledo: First Solar Announces $185 Million Expansion For NW Ohio Factories

“First Solar said it will invest $185 million in upgrading and expanding its Northwest Ohio manufacturing footprint, currently the largest vertically-integrated complex of its kind in the Western Hemisphere, by 0.9 GWDC.

“As part of its plans, First Solar will invest in expanding the capacity of its two operating facilities in Perrysburg and Lake Township, Ohio, by 0.6 GWDC to 3.6 GWDC of annual Series 6 module capacity. The company will also expand its third Ohio factory, expected to be commissioned in the first half of 2023, to 3.5 GWDC of annual Series 7 module capacity. The expansion will increase First Solar’s total investment in its Ohio manufacturing facilities to over $3 billion, with a cumulative annual production capacity of over 7 GWDC by 2025.”

Arizona Republic: Big Effort For Fiber Cable In Arizona: $100m Corning Factory Planned In Gilbert, AT&T Expanding Service

“Corning Inc. will build a $100 million fiber-cabling factory in Gilbert that will employ 250 people and help AT&T deploy high-speed internet access, the companies announced on Tuesday.

[…]

“The factory should open in 2024 and brings Corning’s investment in manufacturing to $500 million since 2020, according to the companies. The exact location was not disclosed.

“AT&T also announced Tuesday it will roll out fiber internet service in Mesa next year.”

CNBC: First Solar Announces New U.S. Panel Factory Following The Inflation Reduction Act

“First Solar announced Tuesday that it will build a new solar panel manufacturing facility in the U.S. on the heels of the Inflation Reduction Act, which incentivizes domestic manufacturing.

“The company will invest up to $1 billion in the new factory, which it plans to build in the Southeast of the U.S. The newly announced plant will be the panel maker’s fourth fully integrated U.S. factory. First Solar also said Tuesday that it will spend $185 million upgrading and expanding its existing facilities in Ohio.

“CEO Mark Widmar pointed to the IRA as the key catalyst that made the company decide to build another factory in the U.S. rather than looking elsewhere.”

Reuters: First Solar Pledges Big U.S. Factory Expansion Thanks To Climate Law

“First Solar Inc will spend $1.2 billion to expand its solar panel manufacturing operations in the United States, creating hundreds of jobs including with a new factory in the Southeast, the company said on Tuesday.

“It is among the first major corporate investments announced following the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), a $430 billion package of policies aimed at combating climate change that President Joe Biden signed into law this month.

“The IRA includes new tax credits for U.S.-made solar products, supporting Biden’s goal of decarbonizing the electricity sector by 2035 with clean energy technologies made by American workers.”