Novo Nordisk invests in new $40M wastewater plant, turns over to Clayton to help spur BioPharma Crescent growth

CLAYTON – A public-private partnership has cut the ribbon for a regional industrial wastewater pretreatment facility in Clayton worth $40 million.

The facility was unanimously accepted by the Clayton Town Council as a donation from Novo Nordisk. Mayor Jody McLeod joined Novo Nordisk Corporate Vice President Chad Henry, and state and Johnston County leaders, including State Senator Brent Jackson and Representative Donna White, to celebrate the completion of the R. Steven Biggs Regional Wastewater Pretreatment Facility.

The R. Steven Biggs Regional Wastewater Pretreatment Facility. (Photo courtesy of Town of Clayton)

“We’re excited about the biopharmaceutical partnerships this facility has forged because this is an industry that cares about people, and that’s what Clayton is all about,” said Mayor Jody McLeod. “We hope that Novo Nordisk is the first of many to join this regional facility in efforts to save and improve people’s lives through healthcare. This public-private partnership puts regionalism before individualism to solve some of today’s most critical infrastructure problems, and that speaks volumes about our relationships with these industries and Johnston County.”

The facility will serve Novo Nordisk’s active pharmaceutical ingredient manufacturing facility with the potential to include other companies in the North Carolina BioPharma Crescent region.

The treatment plant was built to be an economic driver for the entire region. Its modular design will allow flexibility and expansion capacity to treat 450,000 gallons of industrial wastewater per day for current and future biopharma partners who will be able to plug in.

NCSU to lead $27M program funded by Novo Nordisk Foundation focusing on biomanufacturing

“Clean water is critical to our business, and we have a responsibility to protect the environment,” said Chad Henry, Corporate Vice President and General Manager for Novo Nordisk. “This innovative economic development initiative is a win-win for all involved. In addition to providing the infrastructure needed to support our manufacturing expansion, the Town of Clayton now has greater leverage to attract more businesses to the BioPharma Crescent region.”

$10 million of support was funded by the Golden LEAF Foundation and the NC General Assembly. The Golden LEAF Foundation awarded the infrastructure funding to attract business to the region. The NC General Assembly, NC Department of Commerce, NC Department of Environmental Quality, US Economic Development Administration, Johnston County, local industry leaders and Clayton Town Council said they have all recognized the value of this historic cooperative, regional solution.

The the R. Steven Biggs Regional Wastewater Pretreatment Facility is named for the former Clayton town manager. The designation was to recognize Biggs’ vision to recognize such public-private partnerships to drive the economy of Clayton and the rest of North Carolina.

(C) N.C. Biotech Center