AbbVie to Establish Major Pharmaceutical Facility in Durham, Creating Hundreds of Jobs
Durham County is set to be the new home for AbbVie Inc.’s latest pharmaceutical operation, thanks to a significant investment announced by Governor Josh Stein. The Illinois-based biopharmaceutical giant will be investing $1.4 billion to develop a 185-acre advanced manufacturing campus in the City of Durham, which is expected to generate 734 jobs.
Governor Josh Stein expressed enthusiasm about the move, stating, “We welcome AbbVie’s major investment to North Carolina.” He highlighted the state’s blend of top-tier research, innovation, and a robust life sciences sector as key factors that make North Carolina an attractive destination for such ventures.
AbbVie, recognized globally for its biopharmaceutical products, particularly in fields like immunology, neuroscience, and oncology, is making its first substantial investment in North Carolina. This initiative is a segment of the company’s ambitious $100 billion commitment toward U.S. research and development and capital investments over the next decade.
The new campus will feature cutting-edge manufacturing and laboratory technologies, integrating artificial intelligence to bolster the production of AbbVie’s medicines in key therapeutic areas. AbbVie’s Chairman and CEO, Robert A. Michael, remarked, “AbbVie’s investment in North Carolina represents a significant milestone for our company as our largest capital investment to date and an important expansion of our manufacturing footprint into a new region of the United States.”
N.C. Commerce Secretary Lee Lilley emphasized the strategic importance of this decision, noting how it solidifies North Carolina’s leadership in the global life sciences arena. “As our pharmaceutical sector grows, we remain fully committed to cultivating the highly skilled workforce, infrastructure, and ecosystem needed to deliver lifesaving medicines to patients around the world for companies like AbbVie,” he said.
The jobs created will span roles from engineers to scientists, with an average salary of $118,041, surpassing Durham County’s average. This is anticipated to bring an annual payroll impact exceeding $86.6 million for the area. The state’s Economic Investment Committee has approved a Job Development Investment Grant (JDIG) to support AbbVie’s project, which is expected to boost the state’s economy by $8 billion over 12 years.
The JDIG agreement allows for potential reimbursements up to $19,347,000 across its term, contingent on performance metrics such as job creation and capital investment. The initiative is projected to generate a 189 percent return on the state’s investment, ensuring positive net tax revenue for the treasury.
Additionally, the selection of Durham County, a Tier 3 economic zone, enables the movement of up to $6,449,000 into North Carolina’s Industrial Development Fund – Utility Account. This fund assists rural communities with infrastructure improvements to attract future business opportunities.
Senator Natalie Murdock welcomed the development, saying, “A $1 billion investment underscores the strength of our universities and community college systems and pioneering research engines that make this region an attractive place to innovate, scale, and lead in a rapidly demanding industry.” Representative Zack Hawkins echoed the sentiment, highlighting the role of collaboration in fostering economic resilience.
The project is supported by a coalition of North Carolina entities, including the Department of Commerce, the Economic Development Partnership, and several educational and governmental institutions. Further details can be found on AbbVie’s website.
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