Johnson & Johnson to invest over $2 billion in new facility in Wilson

WILSON, N.C. (WNCN) – One of the largest pharmaceutical companies in the world is set to create hundreds of new jobs in Wilson County.

North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper announced Tuesday that Johnson & Johnson is investing over $2 billion in a brand-new pharmaceutical manufacturing campus for innovative biologics in Wilson.

“We welcome this tremendous investment by Johnson & Johnson as they expand their global manufacturing footprint,” Gov. Cooper said in a released statement. “Life sciences leaders continue to select North Carolina because our world-class workforce will help the company successfully produce innovative medicines that will make a profound impact on our state and patients around the world.”

Several new positions are being established for the project, including analysts, engineers, microbiologists, scientists, specialists, managers and senior leaders. According to a news release, salaries will vary by position, but the average annual wage is $108,823. This exceeds the Wilson County average of $52,619, while these new jobs would create a potential payroll impact of more than $45.7 million for the region every year.

“A strong, global supply chain is crucial, and we purposefully invest to ensure our transformational medicines reliably and efficiently reach patients around the world,” said Dapo Ajayi, the vice president of innovative medicine supply chain at Johnson & Johnson. “We are investing in capacity and new technologies to enhance our industry leading capabilities and ensure a resilient supply chain for the future. North Carolina is an important hub for biopharmaceutical manufacturing and talent, and we are pleased to join this thriving life sciences ecosystem and become part of the Wilson community.”

“North Carolina has one of the largest biologics manufacturing workforce in the nation,” N.C. Commerce Secretary Machelle Baker Sanders said in a released statement. “Economic and workforce development collaboration is critical to ensuring we have the foundation and business climate for innovators like Johnson & Johnson to succeed, and we are grateful for the partners that are helping us strengthen our life sciences reputation.”

The state has officially approved the project, which will be facilitated in part by a significant Job Development Investment Grant (JDIG) awarded to Janssen Biotech, a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson. The project is estimated to grow the state’s economy by $2.3 billion over the course of the 12-year term of this grant, the governor’s office said.

“The state’s investment to build a biologics training center in Wilson has made the city the perfect location for Johnson & Johnson’s new facility,” N.C. Sen. Buck Newton said in a statement. “The biologics training center, along with our strong local workforce and North Carolina’s low-tax business climate, will help Johnson & Johnson achieve success for many years to come. Wilson is a top location for the life sciences sector and I can’t wait to see the benefits of the high-paying jobs coming to the area.”

“These new, high-paying jobs will significantly improve the livelihood and economic prosperity of our residents,” N.C. Rep. Ken Fontenot said in a statement. “We are grateful for the state, regional and local partnerships and economic development professionals that made this announcement possible, cementing the City of Wilson as another biotech hub.”

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