UCB, a global biopharmaceutical company has selected Rowen in Gwinnett County, Georgia, as the site of a new U.S. biologics manufacturing campus, marking a major milestone for the 2,000-acre innovation community.

UCB plans to invest approximately $2 billion in the project, which is expected to create more than 330 permanent jobs and hundreds of construction roles over a multi-year buildout. The facility will be developed on a 79-acre site along Rowen Parkway and span approximately 460,000 square feet.

The project represents the largest capital investment in Gwinnett County’s history and is expected to generate an estimated $5 billion in total economic impact.

Rowen, launched in 2020 as a long-term knowledge community focused on agriculture, medicine, and environmental innovation, has now secured its first global tenant. The selection signals a transition from early-stage infrastructure development to vertical construction and tenant activation.

Rowen Foundation said the decision validates years of planning and investment in infrastructure, partnerships, and site readiness. The development has already delivered horizontal infrastructure across a significant portion of the site, with vertical construction underway at the Rowen Convergence Center.

UCB will use the campus to expand its global biologics manufacturing network, supporting demand across its pipeline of treatments for neurological and autoimmune conditions. The facility will incorporate advanced manufacturing technologies, including artificial intelligence, robotics, and automation, with a focus on resource efficiency.

The company selected Rowen following a competitive national site search, citing access to talent, infrastructure readiness, and long-term scalability. The site is located within metro Atlanta’s life sciences corridor, with proximity to major research institutions including the University of Georgia, Emory University, Georgia Tech, and others.

Incentives and infrastructure support for the project

Gwinnett County has committed approximately $174 million in incentives and infrastructure support for the project, including tax abatements, fee waivers, and utility upgrades. The investment builds on prior spending to prepare the Rowen site for large-scale advanced manufacturing and research users.

The Georgia Department of Economic Development led the partnership that secured the project. Working with Gwinnett County, Partnership Gwinnett, the Metro Atlanta Chamber, Georgia Power, and the Rowen Foundation.

Design and construction will span six to seven years. Positioning the facility as a cornerstone of Rowen’s long-term buildout as a hub for research, development, and clean manufacturing.

The project joins other major recent investments in the sector, including Eli Lilly and Company’s multibillion-dollar expansion in Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin. The expansion recently received local approvals and has entered early construction phases in 2026. Adding significant U.S. manufacturing capacity and creating hundreds of jobs.

UCB Biologics Manufacturing Campus in Rowen: Factsheet

• Location: 79 acres within Rowen, a 2,000-acre innovation community along Georgia 316 corridor, metro Atlanta
• Facility: 460,000 sq ft state-of-the-art biologics manufacturing campus
• Investment: ~$2 billion direct investment
• Economic Impact: ~$5 billion projected total impact for the region
• Jobs: 330+ permanent positions + hundreds of temporary construction jobs
• Technology: AI, robotics, automation, and resource-efficient manufacturing
• Timeline: 6–7 years to design and build; largest capital investment in Gwinnett County history
• County Support: ~$174 million in incentives, tax abatements, and infrastructure upgrades

Partners:

State of Georgia

Gwinnett County

Rowen Foundation

GDEcD

Partnership Gwinnett

Metro Atlanta Chamber

Georgia Power