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Corning Incorporated Expands Wilmington, North Carolina, Production Operations

11/11/2026
Glass and optical communications technology manufacturer Corning Incorporated plans to expand its operations in Wilmington, North Carolina. The $585 million project is expected to create 414 jobs in New Hanover County.

The investment will increase production capacity at the company's existing facility to meet growing demand for fiber-optic infrastructure supporting artificial intelligence networks and telecommunications systems.

“We’re proud to expand our presence in Wilmington, where Corning made history with the world’s first optical fiber manufacturing plant and where our people continue to make the fiber that is critical to next-generation networks,” said Corning Optical Fiber and Cable Senior Vice President and General Manager John McGirr. “For decades, our talented workforce here has helped keep Corning at the forefront of optical communications. We’re excited about what comes next, and we’re grateful to the City of Wilmington, New Hanover County and our key community partners, like Wilmington Business Development, for their continued support and partnership.”

To support the project, the Wilmington City Council and New Hanover County Board of Commissioners approved a package of performance-based incentives.

“It’s impossible to overstate how important this company is to Greater Wilmington,” noted Wilmington Business Development CEO Scott Satterfield. “Corning’s role in our business community rose alongside WBD more than three generations ago, and we’re proud that they selected Wilmington as the backdrop for another exciting wave of global growth. I can’t think of a more appropriate way to cap off this historic year than with a significant expansion by a best-of-class manufacturer like Corning. Along with all our partners, members and allies, WBD will continue working aggressively to build on this remarkable momentum.”

Corning Incorporated specializes in glass science, ceramics and optical physics, developing advanced materials and technologies for communications, electronics, automotive and life sciences applications. The company manufactures optical fiber, cable and connectivity solutions used in telecommunications networks, data centers and other communications infrastructure.

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