The North Carolina Railroad Company (NCRR) will invest up to $600,000 to build critical rail infrastructure for STERIS plc , a global healthcare leader, which plans to locate a new Chemistries Manufacturing Center of Excellence in Sanford, North Carolina. STERIS’s project in Lee County will include more than $600 million in capital investment and will create at least 335 full-time jobs with a median salary of $68,704.

The NCRR Invests grant will help fund the design and construction of on-site rail for the new 600,000 square foot next-generation campus to be located in Helix Innovation Park at the Brickyard in Sanford. Once operational, STERIS will use the rail project to receive and distribute a minimum of 160 rail cars annually by 2031 for the state-of-the art healthcare products.

“The North Carolina Railroad helps ensure communities have the infrastructure and support needed to attract new business. We’re proud to lay the foundation for job creation and long-term economic momentum in Lee County and across the state” said Carl Warren, President and CEO, North Carolina Railroad Company. 

Founded in 1985, STERIS has established itself as a global leader in products and services that support patient care with a focus on infection prevention. STERIS operates in more than 35 countries, employing more than 18,000 people at approximately 250 locations.

Through NCRR Invests, the North Carolina Railroad Company uses private revenue, not taxpayer dollars, to fund rail projects that attract new employers and expand existing industry to keep North Carolina competitive. Since its launch in 2016, NCRR Invests has funded rail-related improvements worth more than $18 million and helped generate more than 12,200 jobs.

In addition to the Office of Governor Josh Stein, the North Carolina Railroad Company partnered on this project with the North Carolina Department of Commerce, the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina, the North Carolina General Assembly, Commerce’s Division of Workforce Solutions, the North Carolina Department of Transportation’s Rail Division, North Carolina Biotechnology Center, the North Carolina Community College System, Central Carolina Community College, Norfolk Southern, County of Lee, City of Sanford, TriRiver Water, Duke Energy, Enbridge Gas North Carolina, and Helix Ventures.