By Jim Morrill
jmorrill@charlotteobserver.com

On the same day that labor analysts expect healthy numbers on job creation, President Obama will tour a Charlotte manufacturing plant Friday and talk with workers about the economy.

The president will visit Celgard, a battery manufacturer near Carowinds, the White House announced Tuesday.

The visit is scheduled for around mid-day. The White House doesn’t publicize the president’s exact itinerary for security reasons. No public appearances are planned.

One of the largest suppliers to the battery industry, Celgard received a $49 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy last summer as part of a federal program designed to create jobs and promote advanced battery production for electric vehicles.

In January the company announced plans to invest $91 million to expand the facility in Charlotte and build a new plant in Concord. The moves are expected to create 289 jobs.

“Celgard is a very good example of the kind of innovation that’s happening in Charlotte around energy,” Mayor Anthony Foxx said Tuesday. “What it speaks to is the intentional efforts at the federal, state and local levels to position Charlotte as an energy hub.”

Friday’s visit will coincide with the release of March job data. Some economists say the numbers could show creation of 190,000 new jobs this month.

The Dow Industrial Average, which closed Tuesday above 10,900, is at its highest level in 18 months.

Sign up for our Weekly Email Newsletter Email: For Email Marketing you can trust

Other Ways to Share Twitter Del.icio.us MySpace

Discussions and Submission Agreement