LIVE COVERAGE: Air Force One touches down; Biden visits SW Ohio today

May 6—LATEST — Air Force One touched down at the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport.

President Joe Biden's motorcade will soon make its way to Hamilton, where he is scheduled to take a tour and give remarks, scheduled for 3:30 p.m., at United Performance Metals on Symmes Road.

The podium is set up for Biden's speech abut investing in U.S. research and manufacturing. Signs inside the facility say: "A Future Made in America."

Among people invited to hear the president's speech is Jon Graft, CEO of Butler Tech career technical school in Butler County.

"We're in the midst of this industrial revolution 4.0, and for our students to be able the have the practical skills necessary to get into these innovative fields that I'm sure President Biden will speak about today is really important for us," Graft said.

Hamilton Mayor Pat Moeller, who is in attendance, said he is proud of the level of advanced manufacturing and robotics in his city.'

"I'm glad (Biden) is now aware of it and hopefully that awareness will spread," he said.

Mitch Rhodus, the mayor of Fairfield that borders Hamilton and is near UPM, also is in attendance. The Republican mayor said investing in advanced manufacturing is important, but must be weighed against inflation and responsible spending.

11 A.M. UPDATE — There is a heavy police presence for blocks and other security measures are in place as United Performance Metals on Symmes Road in Hamilton prepares for a visit from President Joe Biden.

Members of the media are allowed in at noon to go through security checks and to get in place to cover the event.

Ohio Department of Transportation cameras stationed along key interstate highways are either turned off or pointed at the ground so they won't show the president's likely route from the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport to UPM.

U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Mansfield, tweeted that he will be joining Biden in Ohio today for a big manufacturing announcement.

In protest of Biden's visit, Americans for Prosperity is at Thornton's on Ohio 4 in Fairfield.

"We're passing out gas cards to help provide some relief at the pump for Ohioans as well as collect stories about the true cost of Washington," said Donovan O'Neil, state director for the conservative group.

"Since Jan. 19, 2021, the Average price of gas in Ohio has gone up 71%," he said. "A lot of folks are upset about the price of gas and we're happy to provide that relief."

WEATHER: Spotty showers are expected throughout the day, with more severe weather possible from 6-10 p.m., according to our content partners at WCPO.

Follow Staff Writer Joshua Sweigart for tweets from UPM today

9:30 A.M. UPDATE — Police are beginning to line up along Symmes Road near United Performance Metals and other businesses to prepare for security as the President will head to the business later this afternoon. Some of the factories in the area sent workers home to be able to avoid traffic issues throughout the day.

9 A.M. INITIAL STORY — President Joe Biden will meet with regional manufacturing leaders this afternoon at United Performance Metals on Symmes Road in Hamilton, near the border with Fairfield.

His visit has led Fairfield City Schools to close today. Officials with the district had concerns about traffic issues and student safety with the road closures and a higher number of drivers in the area, especially at speech time, which is 3:30 p.m. today.

His exact travel route is secure and will not be disclosed.

The administration's announcement this week of making more than $3 billion available from the bipartisan infrastructure bill is what he is here to speak about.

The scheduled event at UPM will include public remarks where Biden "will call on Congress to build on that success and pass legislation like the Bipartisan Innovation Act, which will create good-paying jobs, boost domestic manufacturing, and lower prices for working families," according to the White House.

The president will see new additive manufacturing technologies, or 3D printing, at work while he is visiting UPM.

Biden is expected to be in the area at 1 p.m. when Air Force One is set to land at the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport. The presidential motorcade will convoy north to United Performance Metals, which means roads on his path will close as he travels to Hamilton.

UPM officials did not field media inquiries about the president's visit but posted on United Performance Metal's Facebook page that they were "honored" by Biden's visit.

Stay with the Cox First Media newspapers throughout today as we cover the President's visit. Coverage is on journal-news.com, daytondailynews.com and springfieldnewssun.com.