Obama to discuss GDP, tout efforts on job growth

WASHINGTON (AP) - President Barack Obama will talk about the nation's economic growth on Friday.

Obama will comment on the first quarter gross domestic product report from the Rose Garden. He'll be joined by representatives and workers from two American manufacturers, Itron, a Washington state-based producer of smart energy meters, and A123 Systems, a Massachusetts-based advanced battery manufacturer.

The White House says both companies are expanding production and hiring as a result of federal investments in innovation and technology.

In the afternoon, Obama will tour a Secret Service training center in Maryland, where he will observe training procedures and watch some demonstrations.