Rhode Island Governor Gina M. Raimondo announces that biotechnology company Amgen will expand in the state with a new $160 million next-generation biomanufacturing plant that will reportedly be the first of its kind in the United States. The facility, which will produce approximately 150 new highly-skilled manufacturing jobs, will be supported by incentives from Rhode Island’s economic development programs.
“I am thrilled that Amgen is planning to expand and bring new, highly skilled jobs to Rhode Island and further enhance the State’s life sciences community and manufacturing expertise,” says Governor Raimondo. “We welcome Amgen’s future healthcare advancements for patients around the world that will come from this new biomanufacturing plant.”
Amgen’s new biomanufacturing plant will be built on the current Amgen Rhode Island 75-acre campus in West Greenwich and is expected to create approximately 150 additional highly-skilled manufacturing positions and hundreds of construction and validation jobs. The new plant will employ Amgen’s next-generation biomanufacturing capabilities and manufacture products for the U.S. and global markets. Amgen currently employs 625 full-time employees in Rhode Island.
To support the project, the board of the Rhode Island Commerce Corporation approved tax credits through the Rebuild Rhode Island tax credit program and the Qualified Jobs Incentive Act. The value of the Rebuild Rhode Island Tax Credit is reportedly $2.2 million. There is potential for Amgen to receive an additional $1.25 million upon meeting established performance metrics, according to the company. The estimated value of the Qualified Jobs tax credits is $600,000 per year over 10 years. The credits are only paid out after the jobs are created and employees have paid income tax for a full year. The company will also be eligible for a sales tax rebate on construction materials. According to Appleseed, a third party economic analysis firm, this project is projected to add 3.7M in net revenue to the state over the 12-year commitment period.
Amgen's planned biomanufacturing plant reportedly incorporates multiple innovative technologies into a single facility, and will be built in half the construction time with approximately one half of the operating cost required of a traditional plant, according to the company. Next generation biomanufacturing plants reportedly require a smaller manufacturing footprint and offer greater environmental benefits, including reduced consumption of water, energy and lower levels of carbon emissions.
For more information, visit: www.amgen.com