“The initial approximately 600,000 SF phase is a foundation, not a ceiling,” according to a description of facility operations detailed in the state filing. “The Applicant envisions this site growing in scale and capability well beyond its opening configuration.”
Titled Project Argonaut, the development could create 489 Texas jobs by 2031, including operations technician, production specialist, maintenance support, quality control/assurance, engineering, administration and management roles. The annual average wage of these positions would be $96,551.
“The proposed project will demand a broad and skilled workforce, drawing on Texas’s deep reservoir of GMP-experienced professionals alongside technical graduates, community college talent, and workers new to the industry,” the filing reads.
E.R. Squibb & Sons LLC, part of Bristol Myers Squibb, applied for a 10-year tax abatement agreement in the Sheldon Independent School District. The agreement promises a $1-billion investment between 2027 and ’29. The Texas JETI program offers qualifying companies temporary school property tax limitations in exchange for major capital investment and job creation.
“The proposed project is purpose-built to support and manufacture medicines spanning multiple therapeutic areas and modalities, positioning the site as a long-term launch and commercial campus for decades to come,” the filing reads.
Bristol Myers Squibb’s U.S. investment plans
The Houston site is among a shortlist of 16 sites across three states in the Eastern and Central U.S. markets under consideration by Bristol Myers Squibb.
When contacted Sunday morning for comment, a Bristol Myers Squibb spokesperson told Chron they could not currently confirm sites, timelines or other details.
“BMS is committed to investing $40 billion over five years in U.S. research and development, technology, and domestic manufacturing to strengthen our national presence, accelerate innovation, and deliver for our patients,” the spokesperson said.
Bristol Myers Squibb said it is conducting an “extensive, competitive” evaluation of multiple markets as potential locations for the company’s domestic manufacturing investment.
“We look forward to sharing more information when we are able and have no additional comment on the evaluation process at this time,” the spokesperson said.
