AbbVie to build $1.4B pharmaceutical manufacturing campus in NC, create hundreds of jobs in Durham
DURHAM, N.C. (WTVD) -- The city of Durham and North Carolina are celebrating a huge win after landing a pharmaceutical giant and hundreds of jobs.
AbbVie, one of the world's largest life sciences companies, plans to invest a $1.4 billion to build a 185-acre pharmaceutical manufacturing campus in Durham as it expands from its headquarters in north Chicago. City officials say the project will bring 734 jobs, including engineers, scientists, manufacturing operators and laboratory technicians. Another 2,000 construction jobs are expected during development.
The facility will support the production of AbbVie's immunology, neuroscience and oncology medicines.
Mayor Leo Williams called Wednesday's announcement "a groundbreaking day in the Bull City," saying, "Today we broke history."
He added that "Durham punched well above its weight, once again outbidding, beating everyone across the entire country to land this employer."
Williams said the new roles will be accessible to residents.
"These are manufacturing jobs that are going to speak to us right here at home. The barrier of entry is low; it's accessible. But this is going to change the game for affordability in Durham," he said.
North Carolina Secretary of Commerce Lee Lilley said Durham beat out competitors such as Illinois and Texas because of the region's strong higher-education network.
"And so as we continue to think about investments, that's where the governor recommends that we make further investment in our workforce and in our communities, because that's really what attracts companies," Lilley said.
This is AbbVie's largest-ever capital investment in a single campus.
"This is a defining moment for the City of Durham. The largest private investment in the history of our city and a powerful signal that our city is competing-and winning-on a global stage," said Williams. "With more than 700 new jobs and a strong commitment to our community, this project delivers both immediate impact and long-term opportunity. It reflects the strength of our economy, the talent of our workforce, and our commitment to building a future where growth is shared and inclusive. We are proud to welcome AbbVie to Durham and look forward to the lasting impact this investment will have on our residents for generations to come."
The first phase of construction will include the building of small volume parenteral drug product manufacturing facilities, next-generation laboratories, a warehouse, administrative offices and employee wellness facilities to support AbbVie's growing pipeline.
When completed, this campus will serve as AbbVie's U.S. Center of Excellence for SVP manufacturing, delivering next-generation medicines to patients worldwide.
Joshua Gunn, Durham's director of the Office of Economic and Workforce Development, said the project creates new opportunities for training partnerships.
"Wide range of jobs, many of which are perfect to partner with Durham Tech and NCCU and Duke to train Durham residents for those jobs," he said.
City officials estimate the positions will pay an average salary in the six-figure range.
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"Durham County is excited to welcome AbbVie and their transformative investment to our community," said Dr. Mike Lee, Chair of the Durham Board of County Commissioners. "We are laser-focused on recruiting great-paying jobs with meaningful career pathways for Durham residents. The quality of entry-level jobs included with this announcement provide genuine opportunities for economic mobility that we so greatly value. We are thrilled that AbbVie chose Durham County and look forward to this partnership."
Construction is expected to begin this year, with completion potentially by the end of 2028.
"We're bringing an outside employer in that's going to hire local, give more dormice a chance to thrive and live the quality of life that they deserve. It makes me proud," Williams said.
