Rowen Site Selection Newsletter: March 25, 2026

UCB Selects Rowen for $2B Biopharma Manufacturing Campus

First tenant milestone validates Rowen’s innovation community model and signals the establishment of a new life sciences hub in Georgia

Global biopharmaceutical company UCB has selected Rowen as the site of its new U.S. biologics manufacturing campus: a $2 billion direct investment expected to create more than 330 permanent jobs and generate approximately $5 billion in total economic impact. The 460,000-square-foot facility will anchor 79 acres along Rowen Parkway and leverage advanced manufacturing technologies including AI, robotics and automation.

UCB’s selection followed a competitive, state-led process evaluating multiple U.S. locations. Rowen’s strategic position, infrastructure readiness, access to a deep talent pipeline and long-term scalability were decisive factors.

This is the moment we’ve been building toward.

UCB’s decision to invest at Rowen confirms what our team, partners and community have believed from the start: that a patient, purpose-driven approach to economic development creates the conditions global companies need to make significant, long-term commitments. The company’s focus on biologics innovation, responsible manufacturing and sustainable growth aligns closely with what Rowen was designed to enable.

With the first phase of infrastructure complete, the Rowen Convergence Center breaking ground this summer, and now our first world-class tenant secured, 2026 marks a defining shift from preparation to execution. More than 1,900 acres remain available for companies seeking the entitlement clarity, unique collaboration and strong labor force that only Rowen offers.

We’re grateful to the Governor, the Georgia Department of Economic Development, the Gwinnett team, industry leaders, higher education partners and our neighbors for supporting our vision and the work that is to come. We look forward to sharing more progress in the months ahead.

Join us in building Rowen’s future,

Mason Ailstock

President & CEO
Rowen Foundation

“UCB Sticks With Georgia, Placing $2 Billion Bet on State’s Life Sciences Ecosystem” – Global Atlanta

ICYMI: Rowen in the News

• Growing our U.S. roots with a new facility in Georgia (UCB)
• Gwinnett’s Rowen development lands $2 billion pharmaceutical manufacturing facility (Atlanta Business Chronicle)
• Would You Live in a Sustainable Community? Real-Estate Developers Are Betting On It (Wall Street Journal)
• First buildings at massive Rowen project revealed (Urbanize Atlanta) 
• Global growth, local strength: Why global companies are choosing Gwinnett (Atlanta Business Chronicle)
• Rowen’s Living Lab Projects: A New Model for Education, Industry, and Community Growth (Blog)

Rowen on the Road

As a future-forward knowledge community, we continuously seek opportunities to share our quality of place with consultants and businesses looking for a location to build, scale and thrive. Catch up on where we’ve been and where we’re going:

• World Health Expo | February 9-12, 2026, Dubai
• Area Development Consultants Forum Workshop | March 16-18, Charlotte
• Site Selectors Guild Spring Conference | March 23-25, Atlanta
• SelectUSA | May 3-6, National Harbor, Maryland
• ULI Spring Meeting | May 5-7, Nashville
• Area Development Spring Consultants Forum | June 1-3, New Orleans

Rowen is Ready

Rowen offers more than 1,900 acres of available sites and design plans ready to support complex, large-scale development. Our Foundation-led community is purpose-built for competitive industries like life sciences, ag-tech, advanced manufacturing and environmental technology — where Georgia’s talent base, infrastructure and incentive landscape give companies a measurable advantage.

The Rowen Region economic growth report offers a detailed look at workforce depth, regional momentum and long-term scalability. A strong package of incentives and funding is available for qualifying projects, backed by Georgia’s standing as the No. 1 state for business for 12 consecutive years.