Genentech to Bring $700 Million Biotech Facility and 400 Jobs to Holly Springs’ CaMP Helix Campus
Project promises high-wage jobs and a major boost to Holly Springs’ growing biotech hub, though concerns exist about infrastructure, water use, and the pace of growth
Holly Springs, NC, May 13, 2025 — In a major economic development for southern Wake County, Genentech, a leading biotechnology company and part of the Roche Group, announced plans to build a $700 million, 700,000-square-foot drug manufacturing facility in Holly Springs. The project, unveiled Monday by Gov. Josh Stein and company executives, is expected to create more than 400 high-wage jobs and 1,500 construction jobs over the next several years.
The site, Genentech’s first East Coast manufacturing facility, will be located within the growing CaMP Helix innovation campus in the Friendship area of Holly Springs, near 4130 Friendship Road. The state-of-the-art facility will focus on producing next-generation metabolic and obesity medicines and could expand further depending on business needs and national policy conditions.
“Our new facility near Raleigh, North Carolina, an established biopharmaceutical talent hub, will serve as an important new setting within our manufacturing network,” said Ashley Magargee, CEO of Genentech. “We are thrilled to establish this relationship with the city of Holly Springs, where we expect to have a positive impact on the local economy and community, as we have across the United States since we pioneered the biotech industry nearly 50 years ago.”
The announcement represents another step in Holly Springs’ emergence as a hub for life sciences and advanced manufacturing. Other nearby companies include Amgen, Fujifilm Diosynth Biotechnologies, and CSL Seqirus.
Infrastructure Investments and Road Improvements
The Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (CAMPO) has proposed major road enhancements around Friendship Road to prepare for such developments. These include a new interchange at U.S. 1, widening Friendship Road into a four-lane median-divided corridor, and adding bike lanes, roundabouts, and new access points. The upgrades are intended to address traffic growth linked to the CaMP Helix campus and its projected long-term expansion. [Link: Friendship Road Hot Spot Study]
Town officials said the project aligns with years of planning around infrastructure and zoning. The site is already annexed and zoned for life sciences development.
Incentives and Economic Support
The state of North Carolina awarded Genentech a Job Development Investment Grant (JDIG) worth up to $9.8 million over 12 years, contingent on hiring and investment targets. Holly Springs and Wake County pledged an additional $33.5 million in local performance-based incentives, with Holly Springs’ commitment totalling $13.7 million.
Gov. Stein praised the investment, calling it a signal of North Carolina’s continued leadership in biotechnology.
“This major investment in Holly Springs shows that our state continues to be a leading destination for life sciences and advanced manufacturing,” said Governor Stein. “With more than 400 new jobs on the way, this project will strengthen our economy, create opportunities for our people, and advance cutting-edge scientific innovation right here in North Carolina.”
U.S. Senator Thom Tillis added:
“Genentech's investment in North Carolina marks a significant milestone for our state's biotechnology sector. I congratulate Genentech on their commitment to fostering innovation and creating high-quality jobs for our residents.”
JDIG grants are structured to ensure companies receive payments only when they meet or exceed performance benchmarks. If a company fails to reach at least 80% of its job creation, investment, or wage commitments, it forfeits the grant for that year. Partial payments may be made for 80–99% compliance, but falling below 100% for three straight years can result in full termination of the grant. Agreements also include “clawback” provisions that allow the state to recover funds if the company fails to deliver on its obligations, helping ensure taxpayer protections remain in place.
Concerns Raised
While state and local officials have broadly welcomed the Genentech project, some residents and industry observers are raising questions about potential long-term impacts on the Holly Springs community.
On social media, residents voiced concerns about whether industrial growth is delivering promised tax relief or preserving the town’s character.
“Why aren’t our taxes going down? We were promised years ago that as commercial and manufacturing came to town the burden on residential taxes would be alleviated,” one commenter wrote.
“Do we have to tear down every green space in town for a parking lot???” another asked.
Environmental concerns were also raised, particularly around water consumption and potential impacts on local waterways. Similar facilities, like Amgen’s in Puerto Rico, have been documented using hundreds of thousands of gallons of water daily. Genentech has committed to cutting its environmental footprint by 50% by 2029 and achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, but some residents remain cautious.
In addition to local feedback, experiences from similar developments in other states point to broader issues that Holly Springs may face if growth outpaces infrastructure:
Utility Demand: Large-scale manufacturing can stress electric grids and wastewater systems, potentially increasing costs or delaying service expansions.
Emergency Services: Rapid employment growth may strain police, fire, and EMS capacity if staffing and facilities aren’t scaled accordingly.
Transit Gaps: Without expanded public transit options, some job opportunities may be out of reach for workers without reliable transportation.
Construction Disruption: Multi-year building phases can increase traffic, noise, and wear to nearby roads.
Access and Equity: Many biotech roles require advanced degrees or specialized training, raising concerns about equitable access for the existing workforce.
Post-Use Risk: If a company scales down or exits, communities can be left with large vacant sites and costly environmental remediation needs.
Local officials have emphasized that many of these issues are already under review or have been addressed as part of the town’s infrastructure and development planning process. Still, residents are urging a measured approach that ensures growth remains balanced, sustainable, and inclusive.
What’s Next
According to the company, the 700,000-square-foot facility is expected to be fully operational by the end of 2030, and the 420 high-paying jobs will be filled over five years, between 2028 and 2032.
Town officials plan to hold community updates as the project progresses. In the meantime, residents and leaders will watch progress closely, balancing enthusiasm for economic growth with thoughtful, inclusive town planning.
“This is a transformative moment for Holly Springs,” said Mayor Sean Mayefskie.
“Genentech is a perfect fit for our innovation ecosystem, and their investment will benefit our community for generations.”
Anyone know what the "proposed Harris Lake level" boundary in the Development Activity Map is all about? I googled for information and all I found was some older reports suggesting the lake may need to rise 20 feet. Is there any information on this project, timelines? Newer to the area, thanks.