PROVIDENCE, RI - Governor Gina M. Raimondo today announced that global healthcare company Johnson + Johnson intends to open its new health technology center in Rhode Island. The center will specialize in optimizing information technology and data analytics to create software applications that will serve to improve health outcomes. The center expects to fill approximately 75 highly-skilled positions in the first half of 2017.
"Rhode Island is on the move and we are putting wins on the board. I am thrilled that Johnson + Johnson has chosen Rhode Island for its new health technology center," said Governor Raimondo. "We are making a name for ourselves as a hub for advanced industries because we can offer immediate access to skilled, talented people and world-class colleges and universities. I look forward to welcoming the Johnson + Johnson center in its new home at One Ship Street early next year, and I wish the Rhode Islanders who fill these jobs good luck."
"Rhode Island has a strong network of educators, employers and decision makers that are advancing the integration of different health-related technologies," said Steve Wrenn, Global VP - Chief Applications Officer for Johnson + Johnson. "The I-195 corridor is uniquely suited to support Johnson + Johnson's new health technology center and Rhode Island gives us access to the economic development tools and university assets we need to stay competitive in the rapidly growing health tech space. As a company with locations and options worldwide, we are very pleased with the opportunity the Ocean State provides for this new center."
The Fortune 50 Company's expansion in the Ocean State is the latest sign that businesses are taking a fresh look at Rhode Island and the Raimondo administration's efforts to train Rhode Islanders for the jobs of tomorrow.
"This is another positive sign for Rhode Island's economy and I commend Governor Raimondo and her team and Johnson + Johnson for making it happen. Our state can provide companies like Johnson + Johnson with a pipeline of highly-skilled, well trained workers who can help shape the future of health care," said U.S. Senator Jack Reed.
"The decision by Johnson + Johnson, a Fortune 50 company, to select Rhode Island for a new cluster of high-tech health care jobs is testament to our world-class universities and hospitals, and the great quality of life we enjoy here," said U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse. "I applaud Governor Raimondo for all she's done to build momentum for Rhode Island's economy, which has paved the way for three significant jobs announcements in recent weeks."
"Information technology and health care are both important industries to the Rhode Island economy, and this announcement from Johnson + Johnson is illustrative of our state's tremendous potential for growth," said Congressman Jim Langevin. "This is one of many exciting things happening in economic development, thanks to the expanding toolkit of incentives and resources available for businesses that want to call Rhode Island home or are hoping to grow here. I'm thrilled to welcome Johnson + Johnson to our great state."
"Johnson + Johnson's decision to make a major investment in Rhode Island should make all our state's residents proud," said Congressman David Cicilline. "This announcement is a sign that the hard work of countless Rhode Islanders is paying off, and we are beginning to play a leading role in the development of our country's high-tech economy. These 75 advanced jobs will generate significant revenue for Providence and our state and provide our local businesses with important new revenue. J&J is one of the largest and wealthiest companies in the world, and it could have gone anywhere it wanted. It chose Rhode Island because of the progress we have made in becoming a high-tech center with an incredible quality-of-life and world-class talent."
The new center plans to lease approximately 9,000 square feet of temporary office space at One Ship Street in Providence's Innovation & Design District and expects to complete its move to Rhode Island by spring 2017. To support its new center, the company intends to apply for incentives under the Qualified Jobs Incentive Act and the First Wave Closing Fund.
President of the Senate M. Teresa Paiva Weed said, "Rhode Island's economic turnaround is gaining momentum. The talent of our workforce, including the students emerging from our many world class universities, will help fuel the growth of modern companies here. The investment of global companies like Johnson + Johnson in our state further positions us as a center for innovative excellence."
"We are yet again changing the narrative about doing business in Providence," said Mayor Elorza. "These past few weeks we have seen so much exciting interest and investment throughout our capital city. The addition of Johnson + Johnson is just another example of companies taking notice of the talent, innovation and potential Providence offers."
Johnson + Johnson employs approximately 126,900 people worldwide and is the world's largest healthcare company. The 75 employees expected to be hired for the new center will specialize in advanced information technology. With assistance from the Rhode Island Commerce Team, Johnson + Johnson will work with local colleges and universities to fill these open roles with top-tier candidates. The company has already begun outreach for this purpose.
"Johnson + Johnson represents everything we look for in a new partner-a reputation for excellence, a culture of innovation and potential for growth," said Rhode Island Commerce Secretary Stefan Pryor. "We're grateful that yet another of the world's brand name companies is choosing Rhode Island and is specifically choosing to locate in our I-195 Innovation and Design District. Working with Johnson + Johnson has been a pleasure and under the Governor's leadership, we will continue to collaborate with this company to ensure its success."
In the last eight days, Governor Raimondo has made three major jobs announcements: a deal regarding the Wexford Innovation complex (1,000+ construction jobs and 1,000+ permanent jobs at every level), Virgin Pulse's decision to expand its operation in Rhode Island (300 new jobs) and now Johnson + Johnson's health technology center which we expect to bring 75 good paying IT jobs to Rhode Island in the near term.
The economic tools Governor Raimondo created with support from the General Assembly are already projected to create 873 permanent jobs through the Qualified Jobs Incentive Act. Additionally, the state has invested, through the Rebuild Rhode Island program, $50 million which leverages $500 million in private development.
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