Global manufacturing solutions provider Jabil has selected Rowan County, North Carolina as the location for a new advanced manufacturing facility that will support cloud and AI data center infrastructure customers. The project is expected to bring 1,181 new full-time jobs over the next five years and represents an approximately $500 million capital investment over several years.
Jabil will occupy the former Gildan building (2121 Heilig Road) in Granite Industrial Park. Operations are expected to begin in mid-calendar year 2026. This facility will be Jabil’s fourth in North Carolina.
“Demand for complex AI hardware, advanced networking, and innovative cooling solutions is only accelerating,” said Matt Crowley, Executive Vice President, Global Business Units, at Jabil. “We’re proud to expand our presence in North Carolina and scale our capabilities to better support the growing needs of Jabil’s data center customers.”
“Jabil’s announcement signals continued growth for our economy and new opportunities for our residents,” said Greg Edds, Chairman of the Rowan County Board of Commissioners. “This project will have a meaningful, long-term impact on our local workforce and our ability to attract innovation-focused employers.”
“This is a major economic development win for Rowan County,” said Rod Crider, President of the Rowan EDC. “Jabil’s decision to invest here reinforces the momentum we’re building and highlights the strength of our workforce and available industrial assets. It’s especially meaningful to see a vacant facility repurposed for cutting-edge manufacturing that supports the future of cloud and AI technology.”
In addition to the North Carolina Department of Commerce and the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina, other key partners in this project include Rowan County Government, the North Carolina General Assembly, N.C. Commerce’s Division of Workforce Solutions, the North Carolina Community College System, and Rowan-Cabarrus Community College.