North Carolina Construction News staff writer
AbbVie Inc. will build a $1.4 billion pharmaceutical manufacturing campus in Durham County, a project expected to create 734 jobs and expand the company’s U.S. production footprint, state officials said.
The Illinois-based biopharmaceutical company plans to construct a 185-acre, state-of-the-art campus in the City of Durham that will integrate advanced manufacturing, laboratory systems and artificial intelligence to support production of medicines in immunology, neuroscience and oncology.
The investment marks AbbVie’s first major project in North Carolina, its largest capital investment to date, is part of a broader $100 billion commitment the company has made toward U.S. research, development and capital investment over the next decade.
“We welcome AbbVie’s major investment to North Carolina,” Gov. Josh Stein said in a statement. “When you combine our world-renowned research and innovation with a strong, thriving life sciences hub, North Carolina quickly becomes the premier location for biopharmaceutical companies to do business.”
AbbVie said the campus will strengthen its ability to meet future demand while expanding its manufacturing capacity in a new region of the country.
“This decision further cements North Carolina’s position at the forefront of the global life sciences industry,” said N.C. Commerce Secretary Lee Lilley. “As our pharmaceutical sector grows, we remain fully committed to cultivating the highly skilled workforce, infrastructure, and ecosystem needed to deliver lifesaving medicines.”
The company’s Durham operation is expected to include roles such as engineers, laboratory technicians, manufacturing operators and scientists. Average annual wages are projected at $118,041, above the Durham County average of $102,817, according to state data. The jobs are expected to generate more than $86.6 million in annual payroll impact.
AbbVie’s project will be supported in part by a Job Development Investment Grant approved by the state’s Economic Investment Committee. Over the 12-year term, the project is estimated to add $8 billion to North Carolina’s economy.
The agreement authorizes potential reimbursements to AbbVie of up to $19.3 million, contingent on job creation and investment benchmarks being met. The state said the projected return on investment is 189%, meaning $1 in state costs is expected to generate $2.89 in revenue.
Because the project is located in Durham County, designated a Tier 3 area under the state’s economic development system, a portion of the grant will also support the state’s Industrial Development Fund – Utility Account, which helps finance infrastructure improvements in communities across North Carolina.