North Carolina Construction News staff writer
Genentech says it will more than double its investment in a new manufacturing facility in Holly Springs, bringing the total commitment for its first-ever East Coast manufacturing site to about US$2 billion.
The biotechnology company, a member of the Roche Group, said the expanded investment builds on an initial commitment announced in May 2025, followed by a groundbreaking in August 2025. The decision reflects Genentech’s confidence in the region’s workforce, infrastructure and long-term growth potential.
“Genentech’s increased investment in Holly Springs creates durable jobs and strengthens our life sciences sector,” North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein said in a statement. “This expansion reinforces North Carolina’s role in supporting innovation, workforce development and long-term economic opportunity.”
The expanded project is expected to create an additional 100 jobs, bringing total employment at the facility to more than 500 high-wage manufacturing positions. Construction of the site is also expected to support about 1,500 jobs.
Genentech CEO Ashley Magargee said the expansion underscores the company’s long-term commitment to the United States and to communities positioned to support advanced biomanufacturing.
“This additional investment will create more high-quality jobs, strengthen local partnerships, and ensure a resilient supply of medicines for years to come,” she said. “It allows us to bring life-changing medicines to patients faster and more reliably.”
The facility is expected to be operational by 2029. The expanded scope will allow Genentech to add production capacity and significantly increase output.
Holly Springs has emerged as a key life sciences hub in North Carolina, following significant investments from companies including CSL Seqirus, FUJIFILM Biotechnologies and Amgen. Local officials say long-term planning has helped position the town as a preferred destination for the sector.
“Genentech’s continued investment is one of the most significant initiatives we have advanced since I took office,” said Holly Springs Mayor Mike Kondratick. “It speaks to Holly Springs’ strength as a place where leading companies choose to grow.”
The company cited the area’s skilled workforce, strong academic institutions and proximity to other life sciences firms in the Research Triangle Region as factors behind the expanded investment.
Wake County officials say the project adds to a wave of recent economic development in the area. Over the past five years, three Fortune 500 companies have announced plans to invest a combined $6.7 billion and create more than 2,600 jobs within a small geographic area of Holly Springs.
The project involves collaboration among numerous partners, including Wake County Economic Development, the Town of Holly Springs, the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina, Duke Energy, Enbridge Gas North Carolina, and several workforce and education organizations.