SOUTHEASTERN N.C. — Joe Biden is planned to arrive at Wilmington International Airport on Thursday for his first visit to the Port City as sitting Commander in Chief.
READ MORE: President Joe Biden to promote ‘Investing in America’ this week in Wilmington
The White House announced earlier this week Biden is coming to promote his Investing in America plan. The president is expected to speak about infrastructure and environmental issues.
However, Biden’s visit is not open to the public; it’s by invitation only. After press Wednesday, an official itinerary was released noting he will speak at Wilmington Convention Center after arriving at Wilmington International Airport just before 4 p.m.
“I wish that the whole party and the public could be invited, genuinely,” New Hanover County Democratic Party Chair Jill Hopman said. “I’ve had to break so many hearts of people that absolutely deserve to go — so many of our amazing volunteers. It is just not open to the public.”
Because it’s a White House-planned event and not campaign-related, Hopman said measures have to be taken for security purposes.
Port City Daily asked the White House communications team why it was not open to the public and who would be in attendance; an answer was not received by press.
The announcement of Biden’s arrival was sent to area politicians on Friday, April 26. An email from the White House Office of Intergovernmental Affairs team was sent to New Hanover County Commissioner Chair Bill Rivenbark, a Republican.
According to internal emails, Rivenbark responded: “My dog will be on fire that day and I will miss this. Sorry.”
Democratic Commissioner Jonathan Barfield told Port City Daily he planned on attending and found the presidential visit significant. He noted investments made by the Biden Infrastructure Law has helped with local needs, citing $4 million that went to CFPUA to replace pipes that have lead in them.
“So for him to help lead the charge and invest in America’s infrastructure to me is important, and then for him to see the the work being done and some of the finished product, I think will affirm to him the importance of those resources going out to communities like ours,” Barfield explained.
As well, the North Carolina Department of Transportation has submitted the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge replacement project for federal grant consideration. It’s part of Biden’s Bridge Investment Program and will distribute $40 billion over five years.
Several legislators and municipalities, including U.S. senators Ted Budd and Thom Tillis, both Republicans, and local Republican Senator Michael Lee have submitted letters of support to the U.S. Department of Transportation on behalf of the project.
Environmental issues addressed may revolve around PFAS. The Cape Fear region is known as ground zero for “forever chemicals” contamination and the Environmental Protection Agency has issued recent regulations, including designating PFOA and PFOS, two PFAS, on its hazardous substances list. It also announced standards for water utility companies.
“I don’t think it’s by happenstance that Michael Regan is the EPA administrator who’s our former secretary of DEQ,” Barfield added. “He definitely understands the needs for his home state. And to me, it’s just a win-win for our community.”
Regan will be in attendance with Gov. Roy Cooper, according to the governor’s office agenda. Cooper will also greet Biden in Charlotte before coming to Wilmington; the two plan to meet with the victims and families impacted by a Monday shooting where four law enforcement officers perished.
To prepare for the president’s arrival, the Wilmington International Airport noted Wednesday it expects minor impacts on commercial flight operations.
“We encourage travelers to check their flight status directly with the airlines for the most up to date information,” spokesperson Erin McNally wrote to media Wednesday morning. “Additionally, travelers may want to allow extra time, in the event there are temporary road closures or changes in traffic patterns.”
A temporary flight restriction is in place between 1:30 p.m. and 5:15 p.m. in a zero-to-30-mile radius of downtown, as issued by the Federal Aviation Administration. It does not restrict scheduled commercial flights in a 10-mile radius. Thus, arrivals and departures will likely be on or close to schedule.
General aviation flights will be restricted; those travelers are instructed to check NOTAMS for details.
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