The North Carolina site will generate around 5,000 construction jobs and more than 500 permanent positions. The project could create an estimated $3 billion economic impact in North Carolina over the next decade.
“This state-of-the-art biologics facility in North Carolina will help Johnson & Johnson accelerate the delivery of our portfolio and pipeline of transformational medicines,” said Jennifer Taubert, executive vice president at Johnson & Johnson.
The other three new advanced manufacturing plants are planned, but the company has not yet revealed their locations or specific details. Additional funds will go toward expanding existing manufacturing sites and enhancing research facilities nationwide.
Johnson & Johnson estimates its total U.S. economic impact at more than $100 billion per year.
CEO Joaquin Duato called the investments a continuation of the company’s nearly 140-year commitment to American innovation and job creation.
“Our increased U.S. investment begins with the groundbreaking of a high-tech facility in North Carolina that will not only add U.S.-based jobs but manufacture cutting-edge medicines to treat patients in America and around the world,” Duato said.
North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein welcomed the project, highlighting the Wilson area as an emerging center for life sciences.
Pharmaceutical companies such as Johnson & Johnson and Pfizer have major operations overseas, including in Ireland, where lower tax rates have attracted manufacturers.
President Donald Trump has criticized these offshore facilities and pushed for more drug production to take place in the United States, alongside his wider push for more domestic output.
In response to this pressure, several companies—including those outside the health care sector, such as Apple—have recently announced plans to expand domestic manufacturing.
Johnson & Johnson noted in its statement that the company operates 22 manufacturing facilities across the United States—more than in any other country, the company said.
The Wilson facility will also support local education initiatives, including partnerships with local schools and the Smithsonian Science Education Center.
In addition, Johnson & Johnson plans to implement a BioWork certificate program in local high schools, preparing students for careers in biotechnology and manufacturing.
Johnson & Johnson’s announcement follows similar investments by other pharmaceutical companies facing the threat of increased tariffs. Last month, Eli Lilly, for example, announced comparable U.S. expansion plans.
