Looking back: Project Announcements in 2019

Date Published: July 31, 2019

It’s no surprise that North Carolina’s fastest growing area is also attracting major job announcements. From January to July, 11 companies selected the Research Triangle Region to grow or expand their business. From life science to pharmaceutical, retail and manufacturing companies, the range of projects are reflective of the region’s diverse business ecosystem. From the 11 major relocation or expansion projects announced, over 2,300 jobs will be created and $970+ million invested in the Triangle Region.

AveXis – Durham County

AveXis, Inc., a leading gene therapy company developing treatments for rare and life-threatening neurological diseases, will create 200 jobs as it expands its manufacturing center in Durham County,

The new center was first announced in May of last year, creating an initial 200 jobs. AveXis will invest an additional $60 million in the facility.

 

 

Broad River Retail – Johnston County

Broad River Retail LLC will establish a major distribution facility, customer contact center and showroom in Johnston County as part of a $16 million investment.

Broad River Retail comes to Johnston County along with two major national brands – Ashley Furniture and The Keith Corporation – as part of a vision that re-energizes our I-95 corridor and brings further diversification to the county’s economy.

Cellectis – Wake County

Paris-based biotechnology company Cellectis announced plans to invest nearly $70 million and create 200 jobs in Raleigh, at what will become its first North American manufacturing facility.

“North Carolina is proud to be a national leader in life sciences,” said Governor Roy Cooper at a news conference in the Capitol building announcing the Cellectis project. “The cutting-edge cancer therapies that Cellectis will produce in Raleigh will continue to strengthen our role in biopharmaceuticals, as well as have a major impact in the battle against cancer.”

Dollar General – Johnston County

Dollar General plans to take over 33,000 square feet of cold-storage space in the Carolina Distribution Center in Clayton. The Tennessee-based retailer is making a $13 million investment to Johnston County and creating 105 new jobs.

 

 

 

EG-GILERO – Chatham County

EG-GILERO, a Morrisville-based medical device manufacturer, recently announced plans to invest more than $4 million and create 60 jobs in Chatham County, at what will be its third North Carolina location. EG-GILERO will take over a 40,000-square-foot industrial space in downtown Pittsboro to accommodate production and workspace for employees.

“Pittsboro and Chatham County residents and staff have been very welcoming to us and we look forward to being a good neighbor for years to come. For EG-GILERO and our customers, Pittsboro is a hidden gem; but with the expected growth in the area, many others will come to realize the charm and benefits Pittsboro has to offer – as we have,” said Ted Mosler, president and chief technical officer.

Fresenius Kabi – Wilson County

Fresenius Kabi, a global health care company based in Germany, announced a $100 million expansion of its pharmaceutical manufacturing campus in Wilson.

The expansion will add at least 445 new jobs to the workforce of 100-plus at the Wilson County site by the time it’s completed in 2022, increasing the company’s production of affordable, generic medicines for use in hospitals and clinics.

Isolera Extracts – Granville County

Isolera Extracts will bring an industrial hemp processing service to the former 187,000 square foot Burlington Mills facility in Granville County. Several regions were considered, but thanks to North Carolina’s long tradition organic farming history, Isolera Extracts selected Oxford.

“The quality of the workforce here is exceptional,” CEO Jack Tatum remarked. “There is a lot of local talent and we are looking forward to working with our team to push the boundaries forward in this new and exciting industry.”

MERCK – Durham County

Leading global biopharmaceutical company, Merck, is building a new production facility in Durham and expanding its operations in Wilson. On July 25, the company announced that it will build a 225,000 square-foot addition to its vaccine-manufacturing site in Treyburn Corporate Park, adding more than 400 jobs to its current 800 Durham County workforce.

Merck is also making a $30 million investment in Wilson County, adding 30 positions there.

“This area is one of the premier pharma and biotechnology hubs in the country,” says Marlene Sanders, Merck’s associate director for government affairs. “North Carolina is also internationally recognized for its innovative and highly effective workforce development programs. The research universities are among the best anywhere in the world.”

Neopac US – Wilson County

Neopac US, Inc., a global manufacturer of primary packaging for the pharmaceutical and cosmetics industries, chose Wilson County for its first U.S. manufacturing plant and new North American headquarters, creating up to 44 new jobs and investing more than $30.8 million,

“For the last two years, we’ve done a detailed evaluation for a suitable site location in the US and we are pleased to locate our new US headquarters in Wilson, a community that matches perfectly with our requirements for qualified people, supportive government, a high quality of life and proximity to our customers,” said Mark Aegler, CEO at Hoffmann Neopac AG.

Pamlico Air – Wilson County

CleanAire, LLC, an air filtration manufacturing company that will be doing business as Pamlico Air will create 305 jobs and invest $10M as it expands its operations in Wilson County.

“We are excited that Wilson will be home to our North Carolina facility. We have a lot of ties to Eastern North Carolina and are thankful for the support we have received from the city of Wilson and the state to make this opportunity a reality,” said Travis Stephenson, CEO of Pamlico Air.

 

Parexel – Durham County

Parexel International Corporation, one of the world’s leading contract research and services companies serving the biopharmaceuticals industry, will open a second U.S. headquarters in North Carolina, adding 264 jobs in Durham County.

“The talent pipeline we’ve been able to attract to our Durham operation as a result of the strong life sciences presence in the region has been outstanding, making it the ideal location to help fuel our future growth,” said Parexel CEO Jamie Macdonald.

 

Learn more about the 10-county Research Triangle Region