More Johnson & Johnson jobs coming to NC, Gov. Josh Stein says
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Gov. Josh Stein announced Johnson & Johnson will create up to 500 jobs in Wilson.
- Stein cited 34,000 new jobs and $23 billion in capital investment statewide.
- Council of State will meet at a battlefield site, other America250 locations.
Another 500 new jobs are coming to North Carolina, Gov. Josh Stein announced on Friday.
Good morning and welcome to the Under the Dome politics newsletter. I’m Capitol bureau chief Dawn Vaughan.
Stein, a Democrat, announced that the health care company Johnson & Johnson is expanding in the state, in the city of Wilson, which is east of the Triangle.
Johnson & Johnson is expected to create up to 500 new jobs for a new drug product factory that will “help deliver transformational medicines for oncology and neurological diseases,” according to Stein’s office.
“Life sciences leaders continue to select North Carolina because our skilled workforce and commitment to specialized training deliver the talent companies need to help patients in the United States and around the world,” Stein said in a statement. The news follows the pharmaceutical manufacturer’s first project in Wilson, announced in late 2024 and under construction, to create 420 jobs. And in August 2025, J&J committed $2 billion for another 120 new jobs at a site in Holly Springs, The N&O previously reported.
Stein’s office expects $12 million from the General Assembly to expand a training center at Wilson Community College to support the J&J project. Economic development has been one area on which North Carolina’s current and past Democratic governors have found common ground with the legislature, which is controlled by Republicans.
“Once again, Johnson & Johnson — healthcare’s leading, most comprehensive, and innovative powerhouse — has recognized the value of doing business in North Carolina, and specifically in Wilson County,” Sen. Buck Newton, a Republican, said in a statement.
“North Carolina’s low tax environment and our investment in the Best Center at the Wilson Community College continues to attract new, high paying jobs to the region,” said Newton, whose district includes Wilson.
Stein talked about job creation during our recent interview, when I asked about tax policy.
One way to alleviate “the consequence of taxes on working folks” and the high cost of living is to “help them get more income — better paying jobs, good jobs,” the governor said.
“And we’ve been working so hard on that side of the equation. We had the best jobs year in North Carolina history — 34,000 new jobs. We’ve announced $23 billion in capital investment, and they’re spread out around the state, which is great,” Stein said about 2025.
Council of State and America250
The Council of State is taking its meetings on the road for the 250th anniversary of U.S. independence. The Council of State is North Carolina’s group of 10 statewide elected officials of the executive branch, which includes the governor, lieutenant governor, treasurer, auditor, secretary of state, attorney general, labor commissioner, agriculture commissioner, insurance commissioner and superintendent of public instruction.
The Council of State’s next meeting, on Feb. 3, will be held at Moores Creek National Battlefield in Currie. During this past week’s council meeting, Stein praised Labor Commissioner Luke Farley and Secretary of State Elaine Marshall for embracing the idea to celebrate America250 with four meetings across the state at places tied to the anniversary.
More NC governor news
Here is more coverage this past week about the governor:
- Gov. Josh Stein’s ‘mediation’ pitch to solve NC’s 2026 budget, taxes battle
- Under the Dome podcast audio: An interview with NC Gov. Josh Stein on 2026 legislative battles on taxes, budget, Medicaid funding and YouTube video of Under the Dome podcast
- NC judges rule against Gov. Josh Stein on power to fill vacancies on top courts
- Democrat’s speech on immigrants led NC governor to intervene in primary, he says
- After Raleigh teacher killed, Gov. Stein calls for NC to do better on mental health
Thanks for reading. Reach me at dvaughan@newsobserver.com or our entire politics team at dome@newsobserver.com.
