Nearly 1,200 Jobs Coming to Rowan County With New Advanced Manufacturing Facility
ROWAN COUNTY, NC — A major economic boost is coming to central North Carolina as nearly 1,200 jobs are set to be created through a new advanced manufacturing facility in Rowan County, according to state officials.
Governor Josh Stein confirmed Monday that Jabil Inc., a global engineering and manufacturing firm, will invest approximately $500 million to establish a site designed to support cloud and AI data center infrastructure.
Jabil’s Expansion Into North Carolina
The St. Petersburg, Florida-based company, which already operates in three North Carolina locations — Mebane, Hendersonville, and Asheville — is now planting deeper roots in the state.
The new facility will support industries such as:
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AI data centers
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Warehouse automation
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Robotics
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Healthcare manufacturing solutions
“This expansion reflects our commitment to enabling the AI solutions of the future,” said Matt Crowley, Executive VP of Global Business Units at Jabil, in a statement quoted by Queen City News.
Local Impact: Jobs, Wages, and Economic Growth
The company’s move is expected to result in:
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1,200 new jobs for Rowan County
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A $73.2 million annual payroll impact
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A projected $3.2 billion boost to the state’s economy over the next 12 years via a Job Development Investment Grant (JDIG)
Commerce Secretary Lee Lilley praised North Carolina’s growing innovation ecosystem, stating it will “ignite the advancement of this next-generation technology.”
Why Rowan County?
Governor Stein emphasized that businesses already operating in the state recognize North Carolina’s value.
“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,” said Stein in his announcement.
Jabil’s decision adds to a larger trend in 2025. Since January, North Carolina has attracted over $17 billion in capital investments and more than 19,000 new jobs.
Hiring Outlook
Officials expect Jabil to begin hiring skilled engineers and manufacturing professionals for its new facility soon. For more on opportunities, visit Jabil Careers.
What does this mean for Rowan County’s workforce? Are you seeing new hiring in your community? Drop your thoughts in the comments below and let us know on SaludaStandard-Sentinel.com.
