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TL:DRJohnson & Johnson has officially started construction on a $2 billion manufacturing campus in Wilson, North Carolina, marking the first of four planned U.S. facilities.Johnson & Johnson broke ground on a new manufacturing factory in Wilson. It is the first of four new manufacturing plants in the U.S. for the company.
Wilson beat out a site in Frederick, Maryland, for the estimated $2 billion facility, North Carolina officials saidThe healthcare company said it will be investing more than $55 billion within the United States over the next four years. A strong labor force, convenient location and relative affordable land lured the company to Wilson.“Of every city and of this world, they chose Wilson,” Gov. Josh Stein said.
The facility is expected to employ roughly 500 people in the coming years. The jobs would pay an average of about $109,000, officials said. That’s a little more than twice the county average, according to Department of Commerce data.Once a town that thrived off of the tobacco industry, Bobby Jenkins said the new Johnson & Johnson plant could help drive the economy and give people opportunities.
“This is going to change lives,” he said Wilson's unemployment rate is the lowest it has been in at least 35 years, showing that it is bouncing back from the loss of the tobacco jobs.
Jenkins owns Wilson Paint and Wallpaper in downtown Wilson. Having grown up in the small town, he’s excited to see the company’s contributions.
“Now is our time for Wilson to step up to the challenge,” Jenkins said.
County and city officials in approved an incentives package for the company that included a jobs grant worth up to $13.7 million, which would be paid out over 12 years if the company meets hiring and investment targets.To receive the full amount, Johnson & Johnson would also be required to retain 259 existing jobs in the state, in addition to the jobs that would be created in Wilson.
The company said it plans to complete construction in 2028 in order to be fully operating by 2030.My Thoughts 💭
Ahh yes more socialism for a billion dollar company to bring jobs to the people of Wilson, NC. Big pharma is bringing manufacturing back to USA.