Corning plans $585 million Wilmington expansion, 414 new jobs

Corning plans to invest $585 million in its Wilmington, North Carolina, optical-fiber facility and add 414 jobs over five years, with new positions expected to average more than $85,000 a year, according to WWAY.

The hiring would expand a local workforce of approximately 1,000. New Hanover County’s average annual wage is approximately $70,000, and once hiring is complete, the additional jobs are expected to generate more than $35 million in annual payroll, WWAY reported, citing Wilmington Business Development.

The Oct. 21 announcement followed approval of $5 million in performance-based local incentives: $3 million from New Hanover County and $2 million from Wilmington. Those incentives are tied to job-creation and investment requirements. Wilmington competed with other potential locations for the expansion, known as Project Pearl 2.

Corning says the investment will support growing demand for optical fiber used in artificial intelligence infrastructure and telecommunications networks, according to WWAY. The expanded operation is also intended to support long-term customer agreements, WECT reported, citing the company.

The hiring commitment builds on an existing local training relationship. Corning partners with Cape Fear Community College through its Technician Pipeline Program, a two-year apprenticeship that graduated its first class in May 2023, according to WWAY.