NC State students, public line up for 5,000 Obama tickets

School officials said they gave out about 5,000 tickets. No more tickets are available.

Obama is expected to land at Raleigh-Durham International Airport around noon and travel to Apex and then downtown Raleigh. For security reasons, the White House won't publish Obama's exact route, but drivers near Apex, RDU and downtown Raleigh should expect delays.

Obama will speak at N.C. State at 12:55 p.m. Watch his speech LIVE on WRAL.com and WRAL-TV.

Before that, he will visit WestStar Precision, a small business in Apex which is owned by Erv Portman, a Democratic Wake County Commissioner and former Cary town councilman.

Portman's business makes specialized parts for aerospace and medical companies. He employs 24 people.

"I’m very impressed that the President of the United States is coming to visit a very small company to understand what is going on with small business, recognizing that we are the economic engine for the country," Portman said. "We’re the ones that create the jobs, and I think it’s a good start."

The White House press office says WestStar is an example of a company that will benefit from Obama's $450 billion jobs bill, which includes payroll tax cuts and breaks for companies that raise wages or hire veterans and unemployed workers.

Portman donated $1,000 to Obama's inauguration fund.

Ticket holders for the President's speech at N.C. State can begin entering Reynolds Coliseum, 2411 Dunn Ave., at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday through the main entrance at Dunn Street, which is on the north side of building.

Attendees should not bring bags and should limit personal items. No signs or banners will be permitted, and everyone will go through airport-like security. Due to lack of space, parking will not be allowed on campus for the event.

"It doesn’t happen that often. I mean, how many people can say they’ve been to see the President speak? That’s why I’m extremely excited about it," said N.C. State sophomore Larry Graham.