Obama visiting wind energy plant in Newton Thursday

President Barack Obama is heading to the political battleground state of Iowa this week to prod Congress to act on his agenda.

The president will visit TPI Composites, a wind manufacturer in Newton, on Thursday to highlight his push for tax credits to encourage investments in clean energy technologies.

The trip is part of Obama's "to-do list" for Congress, which he says is necessary to make sure the economy doesn't lose steam.

The president's action plan centers on a series of economic initiatives he has been pushing for months. None have gained any traction in Congress.

Obama's visit will include a grassroots event at the state fairgrounds in Des Moines. That event, at the Knapp Animal Learning Center at the fairgrounds, is open to the public, and no tickets are required. Doors open at 4:30 p.m. Thursday.

Obama

also visited Newton in April 2009, speaking at Trinity Structural Towers Inc.