The team and management at Audi Charlotte are committed to supporting and growing with the city of Charlotte as the community continues to evolve and progress. With the announcement of the health insurance giant, Centene, expanding into Charlotte, North Carolina, residents and nearby individuals are suddenly exposed to thousands of potential jobs once the Centene project is finalized.
Centene is a major health insurance company that ranked No. 42 on the 2020 Fortune 500 list and is based in St. Louis. However, their decision to expand into Charlotte, NC for their regional east coast headquarters is one of the largest job announcements in North Carolina history. Centene plans to develop a 1-million square feet campus in University City that is estimated to add at least 3,237 new jobs in the Charlotte area over a 10-year period. There is even more good news, as Centene CEO, Michael Neidorff, said that Centene could even add more than 6,000 jobs over the future years.
he Centene campus will include the 1-million square feet of office space in six buildings, a training center, walking trails, a water feature and a location for “spiritual nourishment.” The Centene construction plans also include four parking decks and a “treed-foothill-like setting” to create a sense of seclusion from the urban environment. This is the biggest economic-development deal in North Carolina history. The 80-acre, 1-million square foot site in the University City area will become a technology-hub and regional headquarters for one of the fastest growing health insurance giants in the U.S.
Why did Centene choose Charlotte?
So, why did this health insurance giant choose to set up their southeast headquarters in Charlotte? Neidorff mentioned that Charlotte’s light rail system and Charlotte Douglas International Airport were important factors in Centene’s decision to expand into Charlotte, North Carolina. Centene looks to continue strong growth and to serve the populations who need their services most.
Centene CEO Michael Neidorff also mentioned that the elements for a great city are all present in Charlotte as he gave a nod towards Charlotte’s successful schools, impressive infrastructure, great diversity and tremendous opportunity for upward economic mobility.
What can Charlotte residents expect with Centene?
Centene manages a large Medicaid operation as part of their health insurance services. However, the job postings available suggest that a significant number of technology jobs are uprising with the new east coast headquarters. Charlotte residents can expect the average wages for Centene’s jobs to be around $100,000 and more than a third of the positions are estimated to make $63,000.
With the project, Centene is eligible to receive $438.6 million in Job Development Investment Grant incentives for its investment that is expected to total somewhere above $1 billion dollars. The North Carolina State Economic Investment Committee unanimously approved the JDIG proposal and this project became the largest job creation project in the 18-year history of the JDIG program.
The city of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County are expected to provide $73 million in incentives while the state community college system will kick in $4.5 million. Thankfully, according to North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper, this Centene project will lift the state’s overall economy by $29.5 billion over the next 39 years.
Centene helping move Charlotte forward economically
With the Fortune 500 health insurance giant, Centene, preparing to break ground in the University City area of Charlotte, residents and individuals can look towards the future with success in sight. Not only will Centene provide thousands of potential jobs to Charlotte workers, but it will also boost the overall economic growth and progress for the city of Charlotte.
Audi Charlotte is ecstatic about the economic growth and possibilities heading Charlotte’s way in the coming years. With Centene’s southeast regional headquarters setting up shop in the Queen City, Charlotte will continue to grow and thrive as we continue through 2020 and beyond.
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