💊 Janssen Biotech, a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson, will invest $1 billion into a drug manufacturing facility in Wilson County that will employ more than 400 people. (Triangle Business Journal🔒)
The state offered nearly $14 million in incentives and Wilson County added another $54 million.
🗣️ With modern technology not working, the town of Black Mountain turned to a communication method that has been used for centuries: a town meeting. (N.C. Rabbit Hole)
The family of Hailey Brooks has reached a settlement with driver that fatally struck her during Raleigh Christmas Parade. (WRAL)
🛣 Pete Buttigieg, in an interview with Axios, said he couldn't predict when people may be able to normally travel again to the Helene-impacted areas. (Axios)
📱 Two manufacturers of the world's purest quartz — a key component in the country's electronic industry — in the North Carolina mountain Spruce Pine are offline as the town struggles to regain power, water and cell service. (Axios)
By the numbers
Hurricane Helene dropped 40 trillion gallons of water on the Southeast, per the AP, enough water to fill Lake Tahoe.
Helene's total economic impact could be as high as $35 billion, Axios reported.
