7 min read
Rowen Project Gwinnett County just landed its first global anchor tenant and the numbers are extraordinary. On March 24, 2026, Gwinnett County officials announced that UCB, a global biopharmaceutical company headquartered in Brussels, Belgium, will build its first U.S. pharmaceutical biologics manufacturing facility at Rowen. The $2 billion capital investment is the largest in Gwinnett County history, projected to generate over $5 billion in total economic impact, create 330 or more permanent jobs with average salaries exceeding $72,000, and support more than 1,000 construction jobs during the build phase. [1][2]
For a county that has built its reputation on logistics, distribution, and a diverse professional workforce, the UCB announcement at Rowen signals something new: Gwinnett County is now a genuine life sciences destination. And for job seekers watching this space, the Rowen opportunity is just getting started.
Rowen Project by the Numbers (2026):
- Direct capital investment: $2 billion [1]
- Total projected economic impact: $5 billion [1]
- Permanent jobs created: 330+ at average salary exceeding $72,000 [1]
- Construction jobs during build phase: 1,000+ [1]
- Facility size: 460,000 square feet on 79 acres [3]
- County incentives committed: $174 million [3]
- Georgia Quick Start workforce training: $3.3 million [4]
- Remaining Rowen acreage available for future tenants: 1,900+ acres [2]
- Total Rowen site: 2,000 acres along GA-316 near Dacula [5]
What Is the Rowen Project?
Rowen is a 2,000-acre knowledge community located along Georgia State Route 316 in Gwinnett County, approximately 35 miles from Atlanta, Athens, and Gainesville. It was launched in 2020 by Gwinnett County and the Rowen Foundation as a long-term economic development initiative designed to attract life sciences, environmental science, agricultural technology, and advanced manufacturing companies to the region. [5]
The concept was inspired by North Carolina's Research Triangle Park, one of the most successful innovation districts in the country. Gwinnett County committed nearly $70 million in initial land acquisition and infrastructure investment to get Rowen off the ground, followed by a $32 million Phase One infrastructure project completed in 2025 that built two miles of roads, seven miles of multi-use pathways, and utility access across 800 acres of the property. [3]
Rowen is governed by a nonprofit board and supported by a coalition of institutional partners including Gwinnett County Government, the Georgia Department of Economic Development, the Metro Atlanta Chamber, Georgia Power, and Partnership Gwinnett. The site sits within an hour's drive of more than 50 research and higher education institutions, including Georgia Tech, Emory University, the University of Georgia, Georgia Gwinnett College, and Spelman College. [5]
Until March 2026, Rowen had completed significant infrastructure work but had not yet secured its first major private tenant. UCB's selection of Rowen changes that entirely.
UCB at Rowen: What the Announcement Means
UCB is a global biopharmaceutical company with a century-long history of developing medicines for people living with severe neurological and autoimmune conditions. The company has maintained its North American headquarters in Smyrna, Georgia, for more than three decades, employing more than 400 people in neurology and immunology roles. [6]
The Rowen facility will be UCB's first U.S. pharmaceutical biologics manufacturing site, a significant milestone for both the company and for Georgia's life sciences sector. The 460,000-square-foot campus, designed to have a campus feel on a wooded site off Rowen Parkway, will use a digital-first approach leveraging AI, robotics, and automation while prioritizing efficient use of natural resources. [1][3]
"We are thrilled that UCB has chosen Gwinnett County as its first-ever site in the U.S. to pioneer innovation and advance its global operations," said Chairwoman Nicole Love Hendrickson, Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners.
UCB CEO Jean-Christophe Tellier framed the decision as a long-term commitment rooted in confidence in Georgia's talent pipeline and manufacturing ecosystem. The new facility is expected to create 330 new jobs over the next several years at Rowen, a mixed-use innovation district focused on global health, agriculture, and environmental sustainability.
The selection came after a competitive process that evaluated multiple locations across the United States. Gwinnett County committed approximately $174 million in incentives and infrastructure improvements to support the project, including property tax abatements, fee waivers, and utility upgrades. Georgia Quick Start, the state's nationally recognized workforce training program, is contributing $3.3 million specifically to prepare local residents for the high-skill roles the facility will create. [4]
Governor Brian Kemp called the investment "one of the largest investments in state history," establishing both the Rowen facility and Georgia as a true hub of innovation in the life sciences field.
What Jobs Will Rowen and UCB Create?
The job creation story at Rowen unfolds in two distinct phases with very different timelines and skill requirements.
Construction Jobs: Immediate and Near-Term (2026-2032)
More than 1,000 construction jobs will be created during the six to seven year design and build phase. Full design and construction for UCB's campus is expected to take six to seven years from start to finish, with vertical construction beginning in stages in 2026. [3]
Construction roles will span the full spectrum of the skilled trades, including civil and structural engineers, project managers, electricians, plumbers, HVAC technicians, ironworkers, concrete specialists, and construction superintendents. The scale of a 460,000-square-foot pharmaceutical manufacturing campus, roughly the footprint of eight football fields, means sustained multi-year demand for skilled trades across Gwinnett County and surrounding counties.
For construction and trades workers in Gwinnett, Cherokee, Barrow, and Walton counties, Rowen represents one of the most significant sustained construction employment opportunities in the region.
Permanent Life Sciences Jobs: High-Skill, High-Wage (2028 and Beyond)
The 330 or more permanent jobs UCB will create at Rowen carry an average annual salary exceeding $72,000, which is significantly above the Gwinnett County median wage and above the average for comparable manufacturing roles nationally. [1]
The job types at a pharmaceutical biologics manufacturing facility span a wide range of disciplines:
Manufacturing and Operations: Bioprocess engineers, manufacturing technicians, quality control specialists, batch record coordinators, and production supervisors are the core workforce of any biologics manufacturing operation.
Quality and Regulatory: Quality assurance managers, regulatory affairs specialists, validation engineers, and compliance analysts ensure the facility meets FDA and international biologics manufacturing standards.
Engineering and Maintenance: Mechanical, electrical, chemical, and automation engineers, along with instrumentation technicians and facilities maintenance professionals, keep a complex manufacturing campus running.
Digital and Technology: Given UCB's commitment to a digital-first approach using AI and robotics, software engineers, automation specialists, data scientists, and IT infrastructure professionals will be embedded throughout the operation.
Science and Research: As Rowen develops into a broader innovation community, research scientists, lab technicians, and clinical development staff are likely to follow the manufacturing presence.
Corporate and Administrative: Finance, human resources, supply chain management, procurement, legal, and communications roles support the campus operations.
The Ripple Effect: Jobs Beyond UCB
With more than 1,900 acres still available at Rowen, UCB's arrival is expected to act as a magnet for additional life sciences companies, research organizations, suppliers, and service providers. A major biologics manufacturing anchor typically draws a network of contract research organizations, raw materials suppliers, packaging and logistics specialists, and professional services firms that serve the anchor tenant and the broader campus. Each category represents additional job creation beyond the initial UCB announcement.
How to Position Yourself for Rowen Jobs
The UCB facility will not begin hiring for permanent positions immediately as the construction and fit-out phase stretches several years. But the groundwork for a competitive application starts now.
For life sciences professionals: UCB's existing Georgia presence at its Smyrna headquarters means the company already has a recruiting infrastructure in the state. Monitor UCB's careers page and set up alerts for Gwinnett County and Georgia biologics roles as they begin to post. Biologics manufacturing roles at FDA-regulated facilities typically require relevant degrees in biochemistry, chemical engineering, biology, or pharmaceutical sciences, along with GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) experience where available.
For engineers and technical professionals: Experience in pharmaceutical or food-grade manufacturing environments, familiarity with automated process control systems, and certifications in relevant quality frameworks (Six Sigma, Lean Manufacturing) will all be competitive differentiators for Rowen-area roles.
For digital and technology professionals: UCB's digital-first approach means demand for automation engineers, robotics specialists, and manufacturing execution system (MES) developers will be embedded in the Rowen operation from the start. Technology professionals with manufacturing domain knowledge are particularly well positioned.
For construction and trades workers: Permits, contracts, and subcontractor opportunities will begin moving through Gwinnett County's development pipeline as design is finalized in 2026. Following Gwinnett County's planning and permitting announcements and maintaining active status with regional construction staffing networks will position trades workers ahead of the broader workforce.
For students and recent graduates: Georgia Quick Start's $3.3 million commitment to workforce training for Rowen positions local colleges, including Georgia Gwinnett College, Lanier Technical College, and Georgia Tech, as direct pipelines to UCB employment. Students in STEM, engineering, life sciences, and supply chain programs should watch for partnership announcements between these institutions and Rowen as the campus develops. [4]
Why This Matters for Gwinnett County's Long-Term Job Market
Rowen and the UCB announcement represent a deliberate economic diversification strategy for Gwinnett County. The county's enormous labor force of approximately 516,000 has historically been anchored by logistics, distribution, healthcare, and professional services. Rowen is designed to add a fourth pillar: knowledge-economy and advanced manufacturing employment that pays above-average wages and draws global companies.
"This announcement marks the shift from preparation to execution at Rowen," said Rowen Foundation President and CEO Mason Ailstock. "Over the past several years we have focused on building the infrastructure, partnerships and vision necessary to support complex global projects. With UCB's selection, that work will now translate into real investment, real jobs and real momentum for Georgians."
The $174 million in county incentives committed to UCB is a large public investment, but the projected $5 billion in total economic impact over time makes the return case straightforward. More important for everyday job seekers is the signal this sends to other companies evaluating Gwinnett County and Rowen: the site is open for business, the infrastructure is in place, and a global-caliber anchor tenant has already committed.
The 1,900-plus acres still available at Rowen means the UCB announcement is the beginning of the story, not the whole story.
Keep Exploring Gwinnett County and Metro Atlanta Jobs
Related Posts
Healthcare Jobs in Atlanta 2026
Browse Current Gwinnett County Jobs
Life Sciences and Healthcare Jobs
Engineering and Technology Jobs
Construction and Skilled Trade
Watching the Rowen story unfold? Browse current life sciences, engineering, construction, and technology job openings across Gwinnett County and all 29 Metro Atlanta counties at MetroAtlanta.Jobs. Atlanta's dedicated local job board. New positions added daily.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Rowen Project and Jobs
What is the Rowen Project in Gwinnett County?
Rowen is a 2,000-acre knowledge community located along Georgia State Route 316 in Gwinnett County, approximately 35 miles from Atlanta. Launched in 2020, it is designed to attract life sciences, advanced manufacturing, environmental science, and agricultural technology companies to Metro Atlanta. The project is a partnership between the Rowen Foundation, Gwinnett County Government, the Georgia Department of Economic Development, and private partners including Georgia Power and the Metro Atlanta Chamber.
What jobs is UCB bringing to Rowen in Gwinnett County?
UCB's $2 billion biologics manufacturing campus at Rowen will create more than 330 permanent jobs with average annual salaries exceeding $72,000, plus more than 1,000 construction jobs during the six to seven year build phase. Permanent roles will span bioprocess engineering, quality assurance, regulatory affairs, automation and digital systems, manufacturing operations, and corporate support functions.
When will Rowen jobs be available?
Construction jobs at Rowen will begin becoming available in 2026 as vertical construction on UCB's 460,000-square-foot campus gets underway. Permanent manufacturing and operations jobs at UCB's facility are expected to come online over the next several years as the campus is built and commissioned, with full operations likely in the early 2030s. Additional job opportunities from other Rowen tenants will develop on their own timelines as the community attracts more companies.
How much will Rowen jobs pay?
UCB's permanent positions at Rowen will average annual salaries exceeding $72,000, which is significantly above the Gwinnett County median wage. Specific salaries will vary by role: engineering and quality roles in pharmaceutical manufacturing typically range from $80,000 to $140,000 or more, while manufacturing technician roles typically start between $50,000 and $75,000. Construction roles during the build phase will pay prevailing wage rates for Gwinnett County skilled trades.
What is UCB and why did they choose Gwinnett County?
UCB is a global biopharmaceutical company headquartered in Brussels, Belgium, with more than a century of history developing medicines for people with severe neurological and autoimmune conditions. The company has maintained its North American headquarters in Smyrna, Georgia, for more than 30 years. UCB chose Rowen after a competitive U.S. site selection process, citing Gwinnett County's highly skilled and diverse workforce, strong infrastructure, quality of life, and the Rowen community's collaborative innovation model.
What qualifications do I need for UCB jobs at Rowen?
Biologics manufacturing roles at FDA-regulated facilities like UCB's Rowen campus typically require a relevant degree in biochemistry, chemical engineering, biology, or pharmaceutical sciences for engineering and science roles, and an associate degree or technical certification plus relevant manufacturing experience for technician roles. GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) experience is a significant advantage. Digital and automation roles require engineering or computer science backgrounds with manufacturing domain knowledge. UCB's workforce training partnership with Georgia Quick Start will create additional preparation pathways for Gwinnett County residents.
How is Georgia Quick Start involved with Rowen?
Georgia Quick Start, the state's nationally recognized no-cost workforce training program, has committed $3.3 million to workforce development specifically for Rowen. This investment will help create training pipelines from local colleges and technical schools into the high-skill roles that UCB and future Rowen tenants will need. Students and workers interested in Rowen careers should watch for partnership announcements from Georgia Gwinnett College, Lanier Technical College, and Georgia Tech as UCB's hiring timeline comes into focus.
Will more companies come to Rowen after UCB?
Almost certainly. With more than 1,900 acres still available and a $2 billion global anchor tenant now committed, Rowen has moved from concept to proven destination. Analysts expect UCB's presence to attract contract research organizations, raw materials suppliers, packaging specialists, logistics providers, and other life sciences companies that want proximity to a major biologics manufacturer. Each new tenant will bring additional job creation to Gwinnett County's GA-316 corridor.
Sources
[3] Urbanize Atlanta, Rowen Megaproject Lands $2B Biologics Campus,March 24, 2026
[4] Good Morning Gwinnett, Gwinnett County Just Made History, April 10, 2026
[5] Rowen Foundation, UCB Selects Rowen for $2B Biopharmaceutical anufacturing Campus, April 6, 2026
[6] North Gwinnett Voice, UCB Announces $2B Investment in Gwinnett County, arch 26, 2026
[7] Bisnow, Pharma Company To Build $2B Plant At Georgia Innovation Campus, March 24, 2026
[8] Hoodline, UCB Picks Rowen In Gwinnett For $2 Billion Biologics Plant, March 26, 2026
[9] Governor Brian Kemp, UCB to Invest $2 Billion in Georgia, March 24, 2026