Johnson & Johnson To Build Second Major Facility In Wilson County

Multi-Billion-Dollar Investment Will Create Up to 500 New Jobs in State-of-the-Art Drug Manufacturing Facility

WILSON — On Friday, Governor Josh Stein announced that Johnson & Johnson, a global leader in health care, will expand its presence in North Carolina with a second major manufacturing facility in Wilson County. The company’s new project represents a multibillion-dollar investment and is expected to create up to 500 new jobs at a cutting-edge drug product manufacturing plant focused on delivering transformational medicines for oncology and neurological diseases.

“I appreciate Johnson & Johnson’s confidence in North Carolina as the ideal place to grow their business and create good-paying jobs,” said Governor Stein. “Life sciences leaders continue to select North Carolina because our skilled workforce and commitment to specialized training provide the talent companies need to help patients here and around the world.”

This announcement marks J&J’s third major project in North Carolina in just over a year. In October 2024, the company announced its first Wilson facility, a $2 billion investment creating 420 jobs on a pharmaceutical manufacturing campus for innovative biologics. Construction is underway, and hiring for advanced manufacturing roles is already ramping up. In August 2025, J&J secured a 160,000-square-foot biopharmaceutical manufacturing site in Holly Springs, a $2 billion commitment over 10 years expected to create 120 jobs.

“We are pleased to make another significant manufacturing investment in North Carolina,” said Jennifer Taubert, Executive Vice President, Worldwide Chairman, Innovative Medicine, Johnson & Johnson. “This new facility is our third North Carolina project in the past year and will further accelerate the delivery of our portfolio of transformational medicines. North Carolina is an important life sciences hub, and we look forward to expanding our presence here.”

Support and Workforce Development
The Wilson project will be supported by an expected $12 million legislative appropriation to expand the training center at Wilson Community College, along with a grant from the state’s Industrial Development Fund – Utility Account.

“North Carolina has one of the largest life sciences workforces in the nation,” said Commerce Secretary Lee Lilley. “Collaboration on economic and workforce development is critical to ensuring innovators like Johnson & Johnson can succeed, and we remain focused on strengthening our leadership in the life sciences.”

Local Leaders Celebrate Investment
“Johnson & Johnson continues to recognize the value of doing business in North Carolina, specifically Wilson County,” said Senator Buck Newton. “This major investment highlights Wilson’s skilled workforce and the state’s business-friendly environment, and it is part of J&J’s commitment to invest $55 billion in U.S. manufacturing, research, and advanced technology.”

“J&J’s expansion is creating new pathways to high-value careers in the life sciences,” said Representative Dante Pittman. “This growth underscores the importance of workforce initiatives like the BEST Center and BioWorks high school programs, ensuring our region is ready to support this critical industry.”

The project is a partnership between Johnson & Johnson, the North Carolina Department of Commerce, Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina, North Carolina General Assembly, Biotechnology Center, Community College System, Department of Environmental Quality, Wilson Community College, BioPharma Crescent, Wilson County, Wilson Economic Development Council, and the City of Wilson.