The Durham Board of County Commissioners is scheduled to hold a public hearing Monday night on a proposed $15 million incentive package for AbbVie, which plans to begin construction on a new campus in Durham this year.
County Commission Chair Mike Lee said the proposed incentive is small compared with AbbVie's planned $1.4 billion investment in the area.
"I hope the discussion goes very smooth because this is a huge deal for Durham," Lee said.
The project is part of a broader trend of pharmaceutical companies investing in the region. County leaders point to recent industry growth, including Novartis' expansion in the Research Triangle and AbbVie's plans for a new Durham-area campus.
Officials say the region's workforce development efforts continue to attract major employers.
Durham Technical Community College President JB Buxton said the school plays a significant role in preparing workers for careers in life sciences.
"This is one of the biggest pharmaceutical companies in the world, and the job opportunities for not just our students, but the region are major," Buxton said.
Buxton said Durham Tech helps train both students and current workers for positions in the growing pharmaceutical industry. He said access to skilled workers remains a top concern for companies considering investments in the area.
"The big question that these pharmaceutical companies have is all about talent," Buxton said. "What we've been able to show is not just at Durham Tech, but in the region, across the community colleges, and with the universities, that we have the ability to provide a lot of talent to these companies."
Construction on the campus is expected to be completed by the end of 2028.
Lee said Monday night's meeting could provide additional details about the project timeline.
"Durham is the place to do business, and that's what I'm excited about," Lee said.
The Durham Board of County Commissioners is set to meet at 7 p.m. Monday in the Commissioners' Chambers.
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