DACULA, GA. — Global biopharmaceutical company UCB has unveiled plans to invest $2 billion to establish its first U.S. pharmaceutical biologics manufacturing campus in Dacula, a city within metro Atlanta’s Gwinnett County. The new facility is expected to create 330 new jobs over the next several years at Rowen, a mixed-use innovation district focused on global health, agriculture and environmental sustainability. The 2,000-acre “knowledge community” is planned along Ga. Highway 316.
The new 460,000-square-foot facility will anchor 79 acres that UCB purchased off Rowen Parkway.
Brussels, Belgium-based UCB maintains an existing presence in Georgia. The company’s North American headquarters is located in Smyrna and currently supports more than 400 jobs spanning expertise in neurology and immunology. UCB is focused on developing innovative medicines for people living with severe neurological and autoimmune conditions such as epilepsy.
UCB’s new manufacturing footprint marks the first major private investment at Rowen and the largest capital investment in Gwinnett County’s history. UCB says it will leverage advanced manufacturing technologies, including artificial intelligence, robotics and automation, while prioritizing efficient use of natural resources. Jean-Christophe Tellier, CEO of UCB, says the project is expected to generate approximately $5 billion in total economic impact, including more than 1,000 construction jobs.
The Georgia Department of Economic Development in partnership with Gwinnett County, Partnership Gwinnett, the Metro Atlanta Chamber, Georgia Power Co. and the Rowen Foundation led the recruitment of UCB. Gwinnett County has committed an estimated $174 million in incentives and infrastructure investments, including property tax abatements, fee waivers and utility improvements.
Gov. Brian Kemp met with UCB in Belgium to secure the deal.
“When we met with UCB leadership earlier this year in Belgium, we discussed how the Peach State would be the right partner for its visionary plans in the U.S. that will benefit both patients and hardworking Georgians,” says Kemp. “UCB’s announcement is also a significant milestone for our life sciences industry, representing one of the largest investments in state history and establishing both the Rowen facility and Georgia as a true hub of innovation in this field.”
Design and construction of UCB’s development are expected to take six to seven years.
Gwinnett County launched the vision for Rowen, which is located at the intersection of the Atlanta, Athens and Gainesville metropolitan statistical areas, in 2020. More than 1,900 acres remain available to support additional companies. Based in Lawrenceville, Ga., the Rowen Foundation is a nonprofit entity leading the planning and visioning of Rowen.
— Kristin Harlow