Johnson & Johnson's $2 Billion Investment Set to Transform I-95 Corridor Economy in NC

In a landmark development for eastern North Carolina, Johnson & Johnson announced ground breaking in March 2025 on a massive $2 billion biologics manufacturing facility in Wilson, NC, promising to create substantial economic ripple effects throughout the I-95 corridor and neighboring regions, including southern Virginia.

The Investment at a Glance

The 500,000-square-foot state-of-the-art facility represents one of the largest pharmaceutical investments in North Carolina's history. According to J&J, the project will generate more than 5,000 high-wage manufacturing and construction jobs and create a permanent workforce of 420 highly skilled employees once fully operational.

The average annual salary is projected at $108,823 – more than double Wilson County's average wage of $52,619 – creating a potential annual payroll impact exceeding $45.7 million for the region.

This facility marks a significant component of J&J's broader commitment to investing over $55 billion in U.S. research and development, technology, and manufacturing over the next four years. The Wilson site will focus on producing innovative biologics medicines for treating cancer, immune-mediated diseases, and neurological conditions.

Strategic Location Along the I-95 Corridor

Wilson's location along the I-95 corridor has proven to be a decisive factor in this investment decision. Situated just an hour's drive from RDU International Airport, Wilson County benefits from exceptional connectivity via I-95, I-795, and interstate-quality U.S. Highway 264/future I-587, putting companies within quick reach of workers, suppliers, customers, and business partners along the East Coast.

The facility will be located in Wilson Corporate Park, which directly adjoins I-95, enhancing logistical efficiency for shipping pharmaceutical products nationwide and abroad. This strategic positioning within the BioPharma Crescent – a regional development initiative focused on pharmaceutical and biotechnology growth – creates natural synergies with existing pharmaceutical operations along the I-95 corridor.

Expanding the BioPharma Crescent

Johnson & Johnson's investment represents the crown jewel in a series of major pharmaceutical and life sciences investments transforming Wilson and the broader I-95 corridor. Recent announcements include Reckitt Benckiser's $145 million Mucinex production facility (289 jobs), SCHOTT Pharma's $371 million syringe manufacturing plant (401 jobs), and IDEXX Laboratories' $147 million medical device facility (275 jobs).

These investments join other major life sciences projects in the region, such as Novo Nordisk's record-setting $4.1 billion expansion in Clayton, and Nipro's $397.8 million investment in Pitt County. Together, these developments are establishing the I-95 corridor as a pharmaceutical manufacturing powerhouse.

Economic Ripple Effects

The impact of Johnson & Johnson's investment will extend far beyond Wilson County. The company estimates the facility will generate an economic impact of $3 billion statewide during the first 10 years of operation. This includes:

1. Jobs and Workforce Development: Beyond direct employment, thousands of indirect jobs will be created in supporting industries – from logistics and transportation to professional services, retail, and hospitality. The influx of high-paying jobs will boost consumer spending throughout the region.

2. Supply Chain Opportunities: Local and regional businesses will benefit from supplying goods and services to J&J and its employees. This includes specialized laboratory equipment, chemicals, packaging materials, maintenance services, and more.

3. Infrastructure Improvements: The development is likely to accelerate investments in regional infrastructure, including transportation networks, utilities, and telecommunications, benefiting all businesses along the I-95 corridor.

4. Housing and Commercial Development: The influx of well-paid professionals will stimulate housing demand and commercial development, potentially transforming communities along the I-95 corridor from North Carolina into southern Virginia.

5. Tax Revenue Generation: According to state projections, the project will grow North Carolina's economy by $2.3 billion over 12 years, with a return on investment of 262 percent – meaning for every dollar of public incentives, the state receives $3.62 in revenue.

Regional Workforce Development Initiatives

A critical component of J&J's investment involves strengthening the regional workforce pipeline. The company is building on its long-standing collaboration with the Smithsonian Science Education Center, partnering with Wilson County Schools to bring additional STEM programming to local schools. J&J will also support implementing the BioWork certificate program in all Wilson County high schools.

This parallels similar workforce development initiatives in Johnston and Wake Counties, which have successfully leveraged North Carolina's Career and College Promise program to offer the BioWork certificate, providing foundational biomanufacturing training for young people before high school graduation.

Cross-Border Impact on Virginia

The economic impact of this investment will not stop at the North Carolina-Virginia border. Southern Virginia communities along the I-95 corridor stand to benefit significantly from:

1. Commuter Workforce Opportunities: High-paying positions at the J&J facility will be within commuting distance for workers in southern Virginia counties such as Greensville, Brunswick, and Mecklenburg.

2. Supply Chain Integration: Virginia businesses with expertise in pharmaceutical and biotechnology support services can position themselves as vendors and partners to J&J and other BioPharma Crescent companies.

3. Regional Development Acceleration: The increased economic activity may accelerate development throughout the broader region, potentially spurring similar investments on the Virginia side of the border.

4. Educational Partnerships: Workforce development initiatives could extend to Virginia community colleges and universities, creating cross-border educational partnerships to prepare students for careers in biopharmaceutical manufacturing.

Challenges and Considerations

Despite the overwhelmingly positive outlook, the massive investment presents some challenges:

1. Infrastructure Strain: The rapid industrial growth may strain existing infrastructure, requiring significant upgrades to water, sewer, transportation, and power systems.

2. Housing Affordability: The influx of high-wage workers could potentially impact housing affordability for current residents if housing development doesn't keep pace with job growth.

3. Workforce Readiness: Despite educational initiatives, the region faces the challenge of rapidly developing a workforce with specialized skills required for advanced biopharmaceutical manufacturing.

4. Long-term Sustainability: Ensuring the long-term sustainability of this growth will require continued collaboration between industry, government, and educational institutions.

Johnson & Johnson's $2 billion investment in Wilson represents a transformative opportunity for eastern North Carolina and potentially southern Virginia. By anchoring the growing BioPharma Crescent along the I-95 corridor, this facility is poised to generate economic benefits that will ripple throughout the region for decades to come.

As construction begins and operations scale up over the coming years, communities throughout the I-95 corridor should prepare for significant growth opportunities while addressing the challenges that accompany rapid economic expansion. With proper planning and regional collaboration, this investment could mark a new era of prosperity for a region historically dependent on agriculture and traditional manufacturing.