President Obama to tour Boeing's Everett factory today

EVERETT -- President Barack Obama is set to visit the Boeing Co. factory in Everett today.

He will be the first serving U.S. president to visit Snohomish County in nearly two decades. President Bill Clinton visited Paine Field on Feb. 23, 1993, to meet with Boeing workers.

There will be no public access for Obama's visit. There also are no approved gathering places for anyone hoping to catch a glimpse of Air Force One. People should expect road closures and traffic delays near Paine Field throughout the day and into the evening.

It's not clear how much the president's visit will cost local government.

Many local police and fire departments were tapped to provide public safety support for the visit. However, they said they were not allowed to discuss specifics, including how many people would be involved. Plans were still being formulated late this week.

Obama's visit is part of a three-day political trip that started Wednesday in Milwaukee, Wis. The trip also includes fundraisers for Obama's re-election campaign.

At Boeing on Friday, Obama is expected to tour the factory and give a brief speech about his economic plans regarding American manufacturing and exports.

The president's visit comes at a time when business at Boeing is booming. The company added thousands of jobs last year and has plans to increase aircraft production in Everett and Renton.

Further details of Obama's visit to Everett remained under wraps even well into Thursday evening.

After his stop in Snohomish County, the president is expected to head to Medina and Bellevue for fundraising events.

Rikki King: 425-339-3449; rking@heraldnet.com