RALEIGH – Gov. Bev Perdue today announced that Exela Pharma Sciences, a pharmaceutical manufacturer, will expand its facility in Caldwell County. The company plans to create 38 jobs and invest $8.5 million over the next three years in Lenoir. The project was made possible in part by an $189,000 grant from the One North Carolina Fund.
“North Carolina has a proud and celebrated history in manufacturing,” said Gov. Perdue. “North Carolina’s biotech industry is thriving because of our highly-skilled workforce and strong business climate.”
Exela Pharma Sciences is a wholly owned subsidiary of Exela PharmSci, Inc. Exela develops and manufactures injectable and ophthalmic pharmaceutical products. The company currently employs more than 40 at its Lenoir facility.
Salaries will vary by job function, but the average annual wages for the new jobs will be $47,395, plus benefits. The Caldwell County average annual wage is $29,640.
“Exela is pleased to be in a position to pursue its expansion plans and create these high paying jobs in Caldwell County,” said Phanesh Koneru, Exela’s president and CEO. “Exela is thankful to the officials of the City of Lenoir, Caldwell County, and the State of North Carolina for their continued support of Exela’s business.”
The One NC Fund provides financial assistance, through local governments, to attract business projects that will stimulate economic activity and create new jobs in the state. Companies receive no money up front and must meet job creation and investment performance standards to qualify for grant funds. These grants also require and are contingent upon local matches.
North Carolina continues to have a top-ranked business climate. Through Gov. Perdue’s JobsNOW initiative, the state works aggressively to create jobs, train and retrain its workforce, and lay the foundation for a strong and sustainable economic future.
Through use of the One NC Fund, more than 65,000 jobs and $12 billion in investment have been created since 2001. Other partners that helped with this project include: the N.C. Department of Commerce, Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute, Caldwell County, City of Lenoir and the Caldwell County Economic Development Commission.