SCHENECTADY, N.Y. (AP) -- President Barack Obama has taken a factory tour and wrapped up a speech to an audience of workers and local leaders at General Electric's energy division in Schenectady, a sprawling complex where Thomas Edison built the corporate giant.
After decades of rust-belt downsizing, GE is expanding with new manufacturing of sodium-based batteries scheduled to start there in November. The plant is still producing generators and steam turbines.
Obama's theme on Friday was investing in jobs, innovation and clean energy. He was shown around the turbine plant by company CEO Jeffrey Immelt.
GE has about 4,000 employees in Schenectady, which the Fairfield, Conn.-based company made the headquarters of its renewable energy unit last year.