Holly Springs, North Carolina is now set squarely on the biotech map with Genentech's groundbreaking of their newest facility. Governor Josh Stein was on-site to commemorate the event alongside a cohort of business leaders and local officials, manifesting the state's burgeoning status within the life sciences industry. Genentech, a biotechnology firm with an eye for growth, is stamping its East Coast presence in a town once marked more by its past than its potential future. The Governor noted, "North Carolina has earned its reputation as the best state for business, and Genentech’s decision to put down roots in Holly Springs is further proof of our leadership in the biotech sector," according to a statement from the Governor's Office.
The state's allure to businesses such as Genentech comes from its educational foundation and hefty workforce, trained and ready, to fully partake in the business of biotechnology. This $700 million facility is not only going to bring an estimated 1,500 construction jobs but also promises to infuse the local economy with over 400 manufacturing positions upon completion. It's a move to strategically bolster local suppliers and small businesses who will now get to play their part in the lifecycle of life sciences goods and products. CNBC's recent crowning of North Carolina as the Top State for Business to hardly comes as a surprise.
In a bid to sustain and nurture this economic vitality, Governor Stein has been proactive. The establishment of the Council on Workforce and Apprenticeships, which delivered its inaugural report mere months ago, is one such measure taken. The council aims to "expand access to good jobs with good wages by investing in apprenticeship and technical education programs and securing a post-secondary path for every student in North Carolina," Governor's Office elucidates.
Since January, the Governor's Office has played a key role in driving North Carolina’s growth, announcing over $19 billion in investments and creating more than 25,000 new jobs with competitive pay across the state. The new Holly Springs facility is just one part of a larger economic picture built on strategic planning and investment in North Carolina’s diverse talent pool. As Governor Stein’s office emphasizes, the state has everything companies need to succeed.
