Lilly to build North Carolina plant, create over 460 jobs

DURHAM, N.C. (AP) - Pharmaceutical giant Eli Lilly & Co. will build a new manufacturing facility in North Carolina, generating over 460 new jobs, officials announced on Tuesday.

Gov. Roy Cooper and company CEO David Ricks spoke at a news conference to unveil the $470 million investment in the Durham County portion of Research Triangle Park.

Average pay for the new jobs at the plant - which in part will produce injectable drugs to treat diabetes - will exceed $72,000, according to Cooper's office and the state Commerce Department. The jobs, to be created by 2027, will include scientists, engineers and plant operators.

Lilly, based in Indianapolis, could receive $8.7 million from the state over 12 years if it meets job-creation and investment goals. A state panel approved the incentives agreement earlier Tuesday. Durham County and the state community college system also provided financial sweeteners.

North Carolina was competing with Indianapolis and Philadelphia for the plant, according to the Commerce Department.

Lilly already has plants in Indiana, New Jersey and Puerto Rico. In Cooper's news release, Ricks is quoted as saying the company has invested billions of dollars in new U.S.-based manufacturing because the 2017 federal tax overhaul law 'œre-balanced the playing field in favor of the American worker.'ť