Local Impact

Just as Kannapolis defined textile dominance in the 20 th Century, it will now contribute heavily to the dominant industry in North Carolina during the 21 st century – biotechnology.

Because of North Carolina’s traditional strength in high tech endeavors, driven by our strong University System and long-standing commitment to research investment, Kannapolis sits ready to capitalize on the investment into its core.

There will be a marked impact locally. From the physical – demolition and rebuilding – to the intellectual, the North Carolina Research Campus will build on the strong foundation of the City.

Building on our Strong Foundation

Types of Careers

Building on our Strong Foundation

Cities pursue growth to create new revenue streams that ultimately ease the long-term tax burden for all citizens. Kannapolis is no exception. Since the Weaving A Shared Future planning process, the city has invested heavily in the number one priority that citizens identified – economic development.

The result has been 350 jobs and $25 million worth of new investment since Pillowtex closed in 2003 in a diverse array of businesses including manufacturing, distribution, retail, and now the North Carolina Research Campus. Right now, there are projects valued at over $1 billion in different stages of the planning process including the North Carolina Research Campus.

Demolition, which will occur over the next 18 months, and construction are not all that needs to occur to build the North Carolina Research Campus. The University of North Carolina has state funding but will pursue additional options while recruiting top scientists.

Rowan Cabarrus Community College and Kannapolis City Schools will both have the opportunity to review training needs and begin adding new programs. The city will participate with infrastructure projects to separate the city’s system from the former mill site, improve entryways into the city, and explore developing programs and services that can support our local businesses and citizens so that the North Carolina Research Campus will truly benefit Kannapolis citizens.

Types of Careers

In the first phase of development, jobs created at the North Carolina Research Campus will center on architecture, engineering and construction. As the laboratories open, scientists will begin their work. For those researchers to be successful, office support positions, business administrators, public relations professionals, security personnel, and other service providers will be needed.

One advantage of this research center is the ability for scientists to work together and thus increase the potential for new scientific discoveries. For Kannapolis, the advantages are the new opportunities for existing businesses and the new career options for citizens.

A 2004 report by the North Carolina Biotechnology Center entitled New Jobs Across North Carolina, noted that in the research and development field most employees have a bachelor of science or post-graduate degree. But supporting these researchers are administrative personnel, human resource professionals, security personnel, buildings and groundskeepers, business managers and other positions that many of Kannapolis citizens are qualified to hold.

Other services such as heating and air, electrical, plumbing, catering and offices supplies will need to be contracted. The campus will spur the growth of retail, restaurant and service industries throughout the city. The same report stated that for every biotechnology job, six others are created.

As it moves towards maturity, The North Carolina Research Campus is expected to attract biomanufacturing companies. According to the North Carolina biotechnology center, 67 percent of the workers employed in this industry in North Carolina have a high school diploma and some additional community college training. Only three percent held a PhD and another six percent a Master of Science or Bachelor of Science in Engineering.

Biotechnology encompasses most forms of science including biology, chemistry, computers, math and pharmacology providing a wide range of areas for interested workers to pursue.