Talecris to Invest $268.7 Million to Expand in Johnston County

Talecris to Invest $268.7 Million to Expand in Johnston County

JDIG and One North Carolina Fund Grants Help Company Add 259 Jobs

Gov. Bev Perdue announced today that international biopharmaceutical company Talecris Biotherapeutics is expanding its manufacturing facilities near Clayton, creating 259 new jobs over the next seven years and investing $268.7 million. The announcement was made possible in part by state Job Development Investment Grant and One North Carolina Fund awards and is contingent upon approval of local incentives.

"The competition for these types of jobs is fierce," Perdue said.  "The fact that Talecris has found the tools it needs to succeed in North Carolina shows why this state's business climate is consistently named as the best in the nation."

Talecris Biotherapeutics discovers, develops and produces critical-care treatments for people with life-threatening disorders in the areas of immunology, neurology, pulmonology and hemostasis. The company employs about 4,700 worldwide with headquarters in the biotech hub of Research Triangle Park. With more than 1,800 full-time workers currently employed in Johnston County, Talecris is one of the county's largest employers and a Top 10 employer in RTP.

Talecris has remained committed to North Carolina as it has grown, adding more than 200 jobs in the state in 2009 alone. The 259 new jobs that will be created in Johnston County will pay an overall average annual salary of $51,066, not including benefits, which is higher than the Johnston County average of $33,800.

"We're extremely pleased to be investing in our company's growth while at the same time contributing to the economic prosperity of Johnston County, a region that has been a historic partner in the development of our industry," said Mary Kuhn, executive vice president of operations. "Our manufacturing capabilities have grown exponentially in recent years, creating more jobs and local opportunities. We're excited to continue expanding in a region that has been so supportive of the biotechnology industry."

To help facilitate this expansion, the company has been awarded a $250,000 grant from the state's One North Carolina Fund.  This fund assists the state in industry recruitment and expansion by providing financial assistance through local governments to attract business projects deemed by the governor to be vital to a healthy and growing state economy. One North Carolina Fund grants require a local match, and this grant is contingent upon approval of local incentives.

In addition, the state Economic Investment Committee today voted to award a Job Development Investment Grant to Talecris. JDIGs are awarded only to new and expanding businesses and industrial projects whose benefits exceed the costs to the state and which would not be undertaken in North Carolina without the grant.

Under the terms of the JDIG, the company is eligible to receive a grant equal to 65 percent of the state personal income withholding taxes derived from the creation of new jobs for each of the 12 years in which the company meets annual performance targets. If Talecris meets the targets called for under the agreement and sustains them for 12 years, the JDIG could yield as much as $3.66 million in maximum benefits for the company.

In addition, up to $1.2 million could be added to the state's Industrial Development Fund for infrastructure improvements in economically distressed counties. When a JDIG is awarded in the state's more economically prosperous counties such as Johnston, 25 percent of the grant award is allocated to the Industrial Development Fund to encourage economic development in less prosperous counties.

Other partners who assisted with this announcement include: The N.C. Department of Commerce, N.C. Community Colleges, Johnston Community College, Johnston County, N.C. Department of Transportation and the N.C. Biotechnology Center.

For more information about Talecris Biotherapeutics, including job opportunities, visit www.talecris.com.