Governor Roy Cooper Allocates $150 Million for Research Triangle Advanced Biomanufacturing Hubs

DURHAM, N.C. — Governor Roy Cooper announced on Monday the distribution of $150 million in state workforce and economic development grants through the North Carolina Biotechnology Center to construct state-of-the-art cGMP cell and gene therapy cleanroom training suites and bioprocess pilot laboratories across four community colleges in Durham, Wake, Johnston, and Forsyth Counties.

The investment expands North Carolina's acclaimed BioWork workforce certification network, providing free, hands-on training in aseptic cleanroom gowning, bioreactor operation, and quality control microbiology for more than 5,000 students and transitioning workers annually.

Anchoring the Global Epicenter of Cell and Gene Therapy Manufacturing North Carolina's Research Triangle is home to the world's dense concentration of commercial biomanufacturing facilities, hosting major manufacturing complexes for Pfizer, Biogen, Fujifilm Diosynth, Eli Lilly, and Novo Nordisk. However, rapid commercial expansion has created acute demand for certified cleanroom technicians.

"North Carolina is the life sciences manufacturing capital of the world, and our greatest asset is our talented, highly skilled workforce," Governor Cooper said during an announcement at Durham Technical Community College. "Global biotech companies are investing billions in North Carolina because we have the community college training programs that prepare our people for high-paying, life-changing careers. This $150 million investment builds cutting-edge cleanroom labs, ensuring North Carolina workers can step directly into high-wage jobs manufacturing life-saving medicines."

Community College Cleanroom Hubs Funded The $150 million allocation finances:

• Durham Tech Advanced Biomanufacturing Center: $45 million for certified cGMP training suites and automated cell culture bio-reactors.
• Wake Tech Community College Life Sciences Hub: $40 million for high-throughput chromatography and analytical testing labs.
• Johnston Community College Workforce Expansion: $35 million for pharmaceutical fill-finish and sterile packaging lines.
• Forsyth Tech Community College Regenerative Medicine Suite: $30 million for 3D bioprinting and tissue engineering training.

Biotechnology industry executives, community college presidents, and regional economic developers praised the governor's targeted workforce investment, noting that turn-key training pipelines give North Carolina an insurmountable advantage in corporate site recruitment.