How Pres. Trump’s visit to Austin is providing a spark to manufacturing in the city
AUSTIN (KXAN) — Industry experts say they are excited President Donald Trump will visit Central Texas on Wednesday in a planned visit to Apple’s manufacturing facility in north Austin.
Trump will tour the company’s facilities with CEO Tim Cook in an effort to showcase a company keeping jobs in America.
READ: President Trump to visit Austin this week, White House confirms
In September the tech giant announced it would manufacture its new line of Mac Pro computers in Austin, not China.
Ed Latson, the executive director of the Austin Regional Manufacturers Association said this is an opportunity to showcase a developed section of Austin’s work-force and economy.
“Most manufacturers in the city are excited that he is visiting and drawing attention to the sector,” Latson said. “It’s a strong community with a lot of capabilities.”
READ: Apple’s new Mac Pro will be made in Austin, not China
According to the Austin Regional Manufacturers Association, the industry in Austin is comprised of more than 1,500 companies which make more than $11.5 billion in products.
ARMA said it adds 1,000 jobs annually, employing more than 57,000 people with an average salary of $93,000.
“We’ve had some of the most advanced, successful products coming out of Austin, Texas for a decade,” Latson said. “There’s a wide array of companies making products here and they are really making an impact and improving our lives.”
John Doggett, the University of Texas at Austin’s Senior Lecturer for the Global Entrepreneurship and Management Department, said both the president and Apple’s response to international pressure has been strong. That reaction is helpful to Austin.
“You can love Trump or hate Trump, but one thing he’s done is he’s the first president in a long time that has told the Chinese ‘if you don’t play by the rules, bad things will happen to you,'” Doggett said.
Doggett said both President Trump and Austin should be excited by this visit as its an opportunity to show off a company who is successfully manufacturing in the United States.
“There aren’t that many examples,” Doggett said.
Protesting the President
Protests are already planned for the President’s visit.
The political group, Indivisible Austin, announced on its website that people will protest near the manufacturing site. The Texas Democratic Party also has plans for a workers roundtable with local labor leaders and officials.
The Travis County GOP is planning a counter demonstration near the Indivisible Austin protest.
Where to Watch
KXAN will have in-depth coverage of President Trump’s visit beginning when Air Force One arrives at ABIA shortly after 1 p.m. You can watch live coverage of the event on KXAN.com.