COUNTY OF WAKE: Global Biotech Leader Amgen Chooses Holly Springs for New Manufacturing Facility

By Press release submission

Aug 8, 2021

County of Wake issued the following announcement on Aug. 7.

Amgen, one of the world’s leading biotechnology companies, announced plans today to invest $550 million to build a new manufacturing facility in Holly Springs. The investment will bring 355 jobs to Holly Springs, which has become a preferred destination for the life sciences industry.

“With Amgen’s reputation as one of the founding companies of the biotech revolution, it is a welcome addition to Wake County’s robust biotechnology sector,” said Wake County Board of Commissioners Chair Matt Calabria. “Innovative, global companies like Amgen can expand anywhere in the world, but they continue to choose Wake County because our talented work force, robust infrastructure and high quality of life are extremely attractive in today’s competitive marketplace.”

Amgen, which has more than 24,000 employees worldwide, creates life-saving medications for people suffering from serious illnesses like cancer and heart disease. This manufacturing facility, set to begin operating in 2025, will help the company meet the increasing demand for its products worldwide.

“Amgen has a long history in biologics manufacturing and continues to innovate and develop new technologies to better serve patients. At this new facility, we plan to include some of our most advanced technologies,” said Arleen Paulino, Amgen Senior Vice President of Manufacturing. “We chose North Carolina for this new plant because of the robust biologics ecosystem, and we are excited to partner with the Wake County business community to further expand biotechnology regionally.”

Why Holly Springs?

The manufacturing facility will be located in the Friendship Innovation Park on the northwest side of Holly Springs, south of U.S. 1. Holly Springs has become well-known for being an ideal location for the biotech industry. Adding Amgen to the mix of top-notch companies that call Holly Springs home, is further confirmation that the Town is committed to helping businesses find success.

“Amgen brings high-quality jobs to Holly Springs and further strengthens our reputation as a leading global biotech hub,” said Holly Springs Mayor Dick Sears. “Our investment in infrastructure, transportation and quality of life amenities makes Holly Springs attractive to those companies that value their employees and want to invest in communities that share their dedication to innovation.”

“We are excited to be making this investment in Holly Springs and becoming an important part of the community,” said Amgen Vice President of Site Operations Bob Kenyon. “Beyond being a vibrant business environment, the area offers a skilled, trained and diverse talent pool that we know will help Amgen maintain its long history of serving patients.”

The Amgen facility in Holly Springs will be built to exacting environmental standards, consistent with the company’s goal of achieving carbon neutrality, reducing water use by 40% and waste disposal by 75% by 2027. The facility also will support Amgen’s participation as a founding member of OneTen, a coalition of many of the world’s largest, best-known companies that aims collectively to hire one million Black Americans into well-paying jobs over the next 10 years, with a specific focus on those without a four-year college degree.

Impact of Announcement

North Carolina has been working for more than 20 years to position the state as one of the best places on the globe for this kind of growth industry. The addition of Amgen to the lineup of life science companies choosing North Carolina is a testament to the strategic planning required at every level of government and the world class training provided by our educational partners.

“Amgen is a well-known leader in biotechnology,” said Bill Bullock, Senior Vice President of the North Carolina Biotechnology Center. “A company of this reputation has its pick of locations, but the fact that it has chosen Holly Springs is a validation of all of the efforts of the town, county and state. These employees will make a home here and will solidify this booming, valuable industry as part of the fabric of our business community.”

North Carolina Partners Work Together

North Carolina keeps attracting top-tier businesses because of a commitment at the highest levels to work collaboratively to bring the best to the state.

“In Wake County we are dedicated to getting all the players to the table when working to attract companies that will provide jobs and economic stability for years to come,” said Michael Haley, Executive Director of Wake County Economic Development and Senior Vice President of the Raleigh Chamber. “Strong regional partnerships with the Town of Holly Springs, the NC BioTech Center, NC Department of Commerce, EDPNC, Wake Tech, NCSU and more make a compelling case to incoming companies.”

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