SMITHFIELD, RI — The expansion of N95 face mask manufacturing by Honeywell at its facility here is on track to create more than 500 new jobs.

President Trump mentioned the expansion at his daily coronavirus press briefing on Sunday. One of the president’s advisers had revealed the plan for the Smithfield factory earlier this month.

“I’m pleased to report that Honeywell, a great company, has just announced it will immediately expand its personal protective equipment manufacturing operations in Rhode Island to produce millions of additional N95 masks,” says President Trump. “They’re very hard to get. They’re actually quite complex.”

The announcement comes amid continued calls from healthcare workers to increase the supply of such masks and other personal protective equipment amid the coronavirus pandemic. The masks will be delivered to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and dispersed by the government to various states.

Honeywell’s chairman and chief executive officer, Darius Adamczyk, said the company is honored to support the government’s efforts to protect Americans.

“Our Rhode Island facility already produces industry-leading safety gear and soon will play a critical role in supplying the Strategic National Stockpile with N95 masks,” says Adamczyk.

Honeywell said they will begin recruiting, hiring and training more than 500 new workers immediately. The job positions start at $14 an hour with benefits. Ideal candidates will have previous assembly production and manufacturing experience. Applications are available on Honeywell’s website.