Jill Biden Touts Airport Funding, Workforce Development During Western Pennsylvania Visit

Jul. 18—Flanked by scores of cranes, first lady Jill Biden visited the Pittsburgh region on Tuesday in an effort to remind the region that the Biden administration supports, and provided funding for, many of its largest infrastructure projects.

In a speech just outside of Pittsburgh International Airport, she praised Western Pennsylvania for its successful workforce development programs and the current $1.4 billion upgrade project for the airport, which was recently awarded $20 million in federal funds from the $1.2 trillion infrastructure law.

Biden said that her husband, President Joe Biden, is fulfilling a campaign promise to help Pittsburgh by shepherding through federal infrastructure investment, which includes $9 billion in Pennsylvania.

"Two years ago, my husband stood at the Carpenters union training center, and he promised to make the largest investment in infrastructure since the interstate highways, and that union workers would be at the heart of this effort," she said to a small crowd of supporters in front of the airport. "That he would revitalize roads, and bridges, and schools, and yes, this very airport, and he has kept his promise."

Biden was greeted Tuesday afternoon by Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey, Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald, and U.S. Rep. Chris Deluzio, D-Aspinwall. She said that in order to continue to build the region's infrastructure, more skilled workers are necessary.

She praised the region's workforce development programs and some innovations they have recently created, like providing on-site childcare for union workers constructing the new airport terminal.

"That really is revolutionary," said Biden. "They can pursue the careers they want without having to worry about finding care for their kids."

Biden said the programs led to Pittsburgh being one of five cities designated a "workforce hub" by the White House.

Southwestern Pennsylvania was also selected because of success in innovation, growth in advanced manufacturing like robotics and increase in the clean energy sector, such as producing batteries, said the White House when they announced the designation in May.

The visit comes as the president's current approval rating is low among Pennsylvanians. A June Quinnipiac poll showed 39% of state voters approved of Biden, while 57% disapproved of the president.

Biden met with some union workers who were a part of an apprenticeship program with the Carpenters union.

One of them, Samantha Ervin-Upshur, started the program in May. She said it has really improved her life and she plans to take advantage of

"I took a leap of faith and it paid off," said Ervin-Upshur.

Acting Labor Secretary Julie Su was also in attendance at the airport. She said modernization projects at the airport will generate $2.5 billion in local economic activity. She also applauded the project for using steel made locally in Western Pennsylvania.

"We are working with leaders on the ground to make sure that all communities in Pittsburgh have access to good union jobs that are being created," said Su, who noted that the first cohort in the PIT 2 Work construction training program are 90% Black.

The first lady said the White House's support of the Pittsburgh region is part of the president's push to highlight his economic accomplishments, which he is calling "Bidenomics."

"The investment and partnerships and pathways I talked about today, they are all part of Bidenomics working for you to do just that," she said. "When we invest in America, we bring people together, and fundamentally transform what it means to make a living and make a life here in the United States of America."

Ryan Deto is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Ryan by email at [email protected] or via Twitter .

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