BlackRock partners with labor unions for AI infrastructure projects

BlackRock and its AI Infrastructure Partnership have entered an agreement with the North America’s Building Trades Unions (NABTU) to connect upcoming energy and data center projects with skilled construction workers. The partnership aims to address labor shortages and ensure fair wages and job protections as AI-driven infrastructure expands. This follows a $100 million initiative by BlackRock to support workforce training in skilled trades.

In separate news, the U.S. government is providing over $2 billion to domestic companies to advance battery and critical mineral production, aiming to reduce reliance on Chinese suppliers. The Department of Defense has allocated $1.4 billion in loans to Sila Nanotechnologies as part of an effort to strengthen supply chains for drones, weapons, and AI data centers.

Additionally, Taylor Fresh Foods has issued a voluntary recall of products containing jalapeños due to a potential salmonella outbreak. The FDA and CDC are investigating links to a grower in Sinaloa, Mexico. Taylor Farms stated it has ceased sourcing from the grower and has received no reports of illness related to its products.