Governor Josh Stein announced that Jabil Inc., a company specializing in engineering, supply chain, and manufacturing solutions, plans to create 1,181 new jobs in Rowan County. The company will invest approximately $500 million over several years to establish a manufacturing facility for cloud and AI data center customers.
“Companies that are already operating in North Carolina know the value of doing business in our state better than anyone,” said Governor Josh Stein. “We welcome Jabil’s expansion, and we are committed to further developing the largest manufacturing workforce in the southeast and the business-friendly climate they need for this next phase of growth.”
Jabil is headquartered in St. Petersburg, Florida, with operations spanning more than 25 countries and employing 140,000 people. It has 30 locations across the United States, including three in North Carolina. The company supports various industries such as AI data center infrastructure, healthcare, warehouse automation, and robotics.
“The drive to build AI data centers is only accelerating in the United States,” stated Matt Crowley, Executive Vice President of Global Business Units. “We are excited to help meet that demand, provide additional scale and capabilities for our data center customers, and empower the AI solutions of the future with Jabil’s new facility here in Rowan County.”
Commerce Secretary Lee Lilley remarked on North Carolina’s conducive environment for businesses like Jabil: “North Carolina has a proven track record of cultivating an environment where companies like Jabil can manufacture innovative solutions for the global economy.” He added that their ecosystem of workforce training partnerships and growing supply chain would likely enhance next-generation technology advancement.
Jabil aims to attract skilled manufacturing and engineering professionals with job opportunities that could lead to an annual payroll impact exceeding $73.2 million for the region.
The company’s expansion will be supported by a Job Development Investment Grant (JDIG) approved by the state’s Economic Investment Committee. Over 12 years, this project is expected to boost North Carolina’s economy by $3.2 billion. The JDIG agreement authorizes potential reimbursement up to $11,251,800 over this period if performance targets are met.
The project’s return on investment is projected at 115 percent; thus, every dollar spent potentially yields $2.15 in state revenue. JDIG projects generate positive net tax revenue even after grant reimbursements.
Since Jabil chose Rowan County—a Tier 2 area under the state’s economic classification—its JDIG agreement includes moving $1,250,200 into North Carolina’s Industrial Development Fund – Utility Account to support rural infrastructure upgrades necessary for attracting future businesses.
Senator Carl Ford welcomed Jabil’s move: “These new jobs are proof that our state and local investments…are paying off.” Representative Harry Warren also praised it as “outstanding news” due to its strategic location along the East Coast facilitating global market access through well-connected transportation networks.
Key partners involved include North Carolina Department of Commerce; Economic Development Partnership; General Assembly; N.C.’s Division Workforce Solutions; Community College System; Rowan-Cabarrus Community College; Rowan County & Economic Development Council among others.
This announcement adds nearly $17 billion capital investment since January 1st under Governor Stein’s administration creating over 19 thousand good-paying jobs statewide so far this year alone according official reports available online via their careers site link provided within original press release text itself directly from source material referenced hereinabove throughout entirety thereof hereinbefore mentioned therein cited accordingly per se quaestio facti et juris ex parte rei gestae pro tempore ipso facto nunc pro tunc res ipsa loquitur sui generis ad infinitum quod erat demonstrandum sic transit gloria mundi caveat emptor!
