'It's a great day for North Carolina.' Eli Lilly unveils sign, debuts new manufacturing facility (2024)

Eli Lilly first broke ground on its state-of-the-art Concord manufacturing facility on June 14, 2022.

Fittingly, two years to the day, after constructing its facility more than twice as fast as the industry average, the pharmaceutical giant unveiled its big red “Lilly” sign in front of a packed crowd during an official ribbon-cutting ceremony for its main building.

Lilly plans to invest around $2 billion to create the manufacturing site, a significant increase from the $1 billion that was originally projected, and hire around 600 employees. Of the workers hired thus far, more than 70% are from North Carolina, with more than 60% from the local area.

The medications produced will be life-changing for patients around the world struggling with diabetes and obesity. Sales of these drugs accounted for 63% of the company’s $8.8 billion total first-quarter revenue and 72% of its $5.7 billion domestic first-quarter revenue, according to Lilly spokeswoman Carla Cox.

The company anticipates making its first medicines on-site by the end of the year.

“As we gather here today, I am filled with immense pride and gratitude,” said Rosa Manso, associate vice president and site head of Lilly Concord. “Two years ago, we embarked on a journey, a journey that began with shovels in the ground and ambition in our hearts.”

Manso noted that the facility is not just a building; rather, it is a “symbol of hope” where “science and innovation come together everyday” to “improve lives worldwide.”

“When we make medicines better, people get better,” Manso added.

Gov. Roy Cooper, who took part in the 2022 groundbreaking, mentioned how Lilly will not just be producing life-saving medications, but will be creating great-paying jobs for North Carolinians and helping small businesses in the area.

“We know that this will mean hundreds of millions of dollars into the pockets of North Carolina families,” Cooper said. With North Carolina having expanded Medicaid, even more people will receive quality health care and drugs that will save their lives, he said.

“It’s a great day for North Carolina!” Cooper said.

Following the ribbon-cutting, members of the media and Cabarrus County officials received a tour of the new facility, including where the injectable medicines are formulated, filled and finished.

Much of the facility is focused on automation and digitalization to accelerate the production of quality medicines, with sustainability and, of course, the safety of workers at the forefront.

For many Cabarrus County residents who dealt with economic uncertainties following the closures of textile giant Pillowtex in 2003 and cigarette manufacturer Philip Morris in 2009, this was a long-awaited moment.

“This is like a dream; please don’t wake me up,” said County Commissioner Chairman Steve Morris. He said the company has already had a huge impact on the community and will continue to do so.

Eli Lilly employees, several of whom have relocated to Cabarrus County from the company’s headquarters in Indianapolis, Indiana, have spent much of the past two years integrating themselves within the community, including forming relationships with the public school systems and Rowan-Cabarrus Community College. The company is utilizing RCCC’s programs to help train its employees regarding CPR and OSHA protocols.

“They are what I would consider an ideal industry for a community,” Morris said.

Cabarrus County Schools Superintendent Dr. John Kopicki is excited about the district finding ways to partner with Lilly.

“I just think through all the pathways that we have right now, through our career technical education programs, through our STEM and robotics programs, we have so many opportunities in the school system that align with a lot of things that are occurring at Lilly,” Kopicki said.

“I think the opportunities are endless,” Kopicki added.