Corning to Invest $585 Million to Expand Optical Fiber Plant in Wilmington, North Carolina

Corning Incorporated announced on October 21, 2026 that it will invest $585 million at its Wilmington, North Carolina campus, adding 414 jobs to its local workforce of about 1,000.

Fiber for AI and next-generation networks

The expansion, known as “Project Pearl 2” during the confidential site search, will supply optical fiber for next-generation networks and support long-term customer agreements. Growth in Corning’s Optical Communications business is being driven by fiber demand from AI network operators and telecommunications providers.

Corning’s Wilmington site became the world’s first fiber optic manufacturing plant and is today one of the world’s largest optical fiber manufacturing plants.

414 jobs over five years

New jobs will be added over the next five years with average salaries exceeding $85,000. Wilmington’s City Council and the New Hanover County Board of Commissioners approved a package of performance-based incentives for the project.

John McGirr, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Corning Optical Fiber and Cable said:

“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.”