Red Bull, Rauch North America and Ball Corporation are set to break ground on a $1.5 billion manufacturing and distribution campus at the former Philip Morris site in Concord, North Carolina.

This project, long awaited since its initial announcement in 2021, is poised to reshape the local economy and the beverage industry landscape.

The new facility, which will span nearly 2.4 million square feet, is expected to generate approximately 700 jobs, providing a substantial boost to the regional workforce.

Upon completion, the campus will have the capacity to produce up to 3 billion cans of Red Bull products annually, primarily catering to the US market while also supporting international distribution as and when needed.

This ambitious venture marks a pivotal moment for the site, which has a tumultuous history following the closure of tobacco brand Philip Morris' operations in 2009.

The area had struggled to attract significant investment until the beverage campus announcement, which was initially hailed as Cabarrus County's largest economic development initiative.

The project’s total investment was recently increased from $1.1 billion to $1.5 billion, reflecting the growing confidence and commitment of the involved companies.

In 2022, the partners received updated incentives, with Rauch investing $680 million for a state-of-the-art can-filling operation, while Red Bull and Ball Corporation committed $424 million and $383 million, respectively, to establish a regional distribution centre and a can manufacturing facility.

However, the timeline for construction has faced delays, with initial operations projected to start in late 2022, now finally underway in 2025.

The decision to proceed with construction comes after several years of uncertainty, during which the project was postponed multiple times.

While Red Bull has not disclosed the specific reasons for these delays, the current momentum suggests a renewed focus on expanding production capabilities in response to increasing demand for energy beverages.

The Grounds at Concord, encompassing over 2,000 acres, is transforming into a hub for industrial activity, attracting investments from various sectors.

Key takeaways:

• Investment: $1.5 billion campus by Red Bull, Rauch and Ball Corp.

• Job creation: Approximately 700 jobs anticipated.

• Production capacity: Up to 3 billion cans of Red Bull annually.

• Location: Former Philip Morris site in Concord, North Carolina.

• Project history: Initially announced in 2021, faced multiple delays.