Biotech giant Genentech, part of the Roche Group, has unveiled plans to drop a cool $700 million into Holly Springs, North Carolina, where it looks to erect a new high-volume fill/finish manufacturing facility. The investment is set to be a job creation power move, offering up 420 positions, as per a statement obtained by Wake County Government. "World-class companies like Genentech recognize that North Carolina is a leading state for biotechnology,” Governor Josh Stein said, welcoming Genentech to the fold.
This move comes on the heels of Genentech's announcement earlier this month to infuse an astounding $50 billion in various state-of-the-art R&D sites, along with new and growing manufacturing bases spreading across Indiana, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, California, and now North Carolina. The company's Global Leader of Roche’s High Volume Technical Operations Portfolio, Paul Bezy, has stated they chose Holly Springs "for the combination of proximity to talent, and high quality of life that supports attracting and retaining the right people." The company aspires to not only build a facility but also to weave a vibrant and lasting relationship with the community.
Wake County couldn't hide their glee with Board of Commissioners Chair Susan Evans telling Wake County Government, “Genentech is the original creator of the biotech industry – a true leader in this field,” while lauding the company's choice to put down roots in Wake County. With an existing 600 life science operations already in the Triangle region, Genentech joins a robust ecosystem that could hardly wait to welcome them.
This isn't just a big splash in the job market pool – it's a veritable economic tsunami. The projected impact is an eye-opening $1.2 billion, a windfall that is expected to support around 4,578 direct, indirect, and induced jobs. Holly Springs Mayor Sean Mayefskie's remarks to Wake County Government encapsulated the local sentiment, detailing how residents and businesses are witnessing the fruits of their economic development strategies, from a bustling Main Street to entrepreneurial growth to a fortified commercial tax base.
The facility promises to diversify Holly Springs' life science industry, providing jobs in the fill/finish sector of biomanufacturing where medical devices are prepped with biopharmaceutical products and made ready for distribution. In forging ties with local academic institutions, Genentech is looking to strengthen the talent pipeline right in North Carolina’s backyard.
The community-wide teamwork that went into securing Genentech’s investment involved a collaboration of local and statewide partners, including the Town of Holly Springs, Wake County Economic Development, and the North Carolina Community College System, among others. A news conference is slated for today at the NC Biotech Center, with talks from key players in the deal, including Wake County Board of Commissioners Chair Susan Evans and others, who will be available post-formal remarks for interviews.
