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Biotech firm ProKidney plans expansion in Greensboro

Officials say the planned ProKidney biotech facility in Greensboro will create up to 330 jobs. (Adobe stock photo)

Officials say the planned ProKidney biotech facility in Greensboro will create up to 330 jobs. (Adobe stock photo) 

The biotechnology firm ProKidney has selected Greensboro to house a new biomanufacturing facility.

The Winston-Salem-based company plans on investing up to $458 million to expand its footprint in the Triad. That number, provided by the city of Greensboro, does not include the purchase price of the property. 

ProKidney specializes in developing cell-based treatments for chronic kidney disease.

Executive Vice President of Economic Development for the Greensboro Chamber of Commerce, Marvin Price, is enthusiastic about the project.

"What I actually expect is for this to be a huge deal in our community," says Price. 

Price notes that as many as 330 jobs for highly skilled workers will be created at the new facility. The average wage is expected to be about $74,000, as compared to the average Guilford County wage of $57,000.

Price says ProKidney’s investment also represents a further expansion of the Guilford County industry, which he predicts can now make its mark in the life science sector while offering a path for area graduates.

"I think this is really going to give us a chance to plant our flag and really diversify our industry base," he says. 

Price feels this is also a win for Winston-Salem, where ProKidney will retain its headquarters.

Neal Charnoff joined 88.5 WFDD as Morning Edition host in 2014. Raised in the Catskill region of upstate New York, he graduated from Sarah Lawrence College in 1983. Armed with a liberal arts degree, Neal was fully equipped to be a waiter. So he prolonged his arrested development bouncing around New York and L.A. until discovering that people enjoyed listening to his voice on the radio. After a few years doing overnight shifts at a local rock station, Neal spent most of his career at Vermont Public Radio. He began as host of a nightly jazz program, where he was proud to interview many of his idols, including Dave Brubeck and Sonny Rollins. Neal graduated to the news department, where he was the local host for NPR's All Things Considered for 14 years. In addition to news interviews and features, he originated and produced the Weekly Conversation On The Arts, as well as VPR Backstage, which profiled theater productions around the state. He contributed several stories to NPR, including coverage of a devastating ice storm. Neal now sees the value of that liberal arts degree, and approaches life with the knowledge that all subjects and all art forms are connected to each other. Neal and his wife Judy are enjoying exploring North Carolina and points south. They would both be happy to never experience a Vermont winter again.

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